The Railway Company has had considerable trouble due to washouts at Bridge #402. The original bridge was a through Pratt Truss, 166'7" long, on stone abutments. In 1886 there was a washout, taking out 400- ft of embankment west of original bridge. About 230-ft of washed out embankment was replaced, the Bridge #402-A was driven as a pile trestle, 126-ft. in length to provide overflow from Picketwire. High water again occurred in 1894, washing out east abutment to river span. The abutment was replaced with pier and bridge extended to east, placing 103'6" Through Pratt Truss, placing east end of same on masonry abutment work, completed in 1895.
In 1897 the original 166'7" span was replaced with a heavier span, being 166' in length, secured from the Middle Division. The span secured having come from the Cottonwood River between Ellinor and Gladstone, Kansas. Span moved on account of line being taken up between above towns.
In 1902 washout again occurred at east end of Picketwire bridge, washing out over 100-ft. of dump. New abutments was again placed and a 105' through girder was placed. Work completed in 1903. On the 1st of October, 1904, washout occurred again, washing out 325' of embankment at east end of bridge. Bridge was again extended by placing three=105' through girders on masonry. During April 1905 false-work washed out. Work on bridge, however, was completed in October 1905. As present bridge stands, it is 696-ft in length, being steel spans on masonry piers and abutments.
A portion of page 97 transcribed in altered form for the web by Larry Green.