Fabyan Bridge (Battle River Trestle)

Fabyan Bridge (for trains – aka Battle River Trestle) is a bit short of a kilometre long and on such a scale that it kind of defies description. It’s not the grandest of its kind, and that title belongs to the Lethbridge Viaduct in southern Alberta, which wins by a large margin, but still it’s a sight to behold. We’re near Fabyan Alberta and come to look at this engineering wonder from a public viewpoint.

We didn’t have much time, so this was more a scouting mission, but we hope to be back to do a little train watching in the future. Being along Canadian National Railway’s east/west mainline means passing freights (and the occasional Via Passenger Run) come rapid fire and the setting is something else.

Being almost eight hundred and fifty metres end to end, it’s still no where close to the length of the average train along here, but shorter ones can fit on it completely. From the highest point it’s almost sixty metres down to ground level and that’s a fair drop.

There’s been a couple derailments on the structure in recent times (scary) but none were a complete disaster. A few workers perished while it was under construction during 1907-1909, but we’re not sure if the cross seen is to memorialize them or has some other meaning. There seems to be no information, but it does look recently placed.

Yeah, I’m pretty sure we’ll be back and will set aside more time then. Train spotting, a good book for the quieter moments and a snack lunch sounds like heaven in our busy lives.

From the same card dump…
Downtown Elk Point Alberta.
Tofield Coal Mines.
A Stop In Heinsburg.

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Date of adventure: September, 2020.
Location: Fabyan, AB.

Fabyan Bridge (Battle River Trestle) is a long one!

In memory of those who died building the structure?