O&W Coal Trestles

Oswego was a big coal shipping town and the O&W actually operated two trestles for many years. The trestle on the left was owned by the railroad and the one on the right was owned by the D&H Coal Company and operated by the O&W. Ships were loaded from the slip sides only.

The coal trestles and later, the Downey Dock, were located at the mouth of the Oswego River.

Barges floated down the Oswego Canal but mostly stayed south of the Bridge Street bridge and the trestles in the background.

A sunset view looking down river shows the trestles on the right.

Looking down river toward Lake Ontario, we can see both trestles in the days of sailing colliers.

Repairs are being made to the pocket end of the O&W trestle. O&WRHS collection

A view of the north side of the O&W trestle show the freighthouse that served non-coal customers across the lake. O&WRHS Collection

This photo shows that locomotives were permitted on the trestle, shown during some repairs. Because the boat is on the right side, this must be the D&H trestle. O&WRHS Collection

Standing on the RW&O lead to its freighthouse, we look up at the D&H trestle.

The passenger boats that plied Lake Ontario were popular postcard subjects that unwittingly gave us many views of the O&W trestle.

Winter brought an end to lake traffic and the trestles stood idle until the ice thawed. Barbeau Studio

It isn't clear what is happening in this view taken on September 8, 1931. The O&W trestle is still in operation in the background but the D&H trestle appears to be gone. Barbeau Studio

Perhaps shortly before the trestle was brought down, Frank Barbeau took this view of the slip and the site of the D&H trestle. The freight cars in the background are on the tracks leading to the New York Central freighthouse. Barbeau Studio

In this Barbeau view, the pocket part of the trestle is already gone, leaving only the approach bents. Barbeau Studio

A close-up view of the trestle gives us an idea of the massiveness of the trestle. Barbeau Studio