PROFESSOR THADDEUS LOWE
MOUNT LOWE RAILWAY
Circular Bridge
Conductor's speil: We are now coming to the world-famous Circular Bridge. As we approach it, the precipice on the right is a sheer drop of almost 1,000 feet. This bridge was the first bridge in the world designed for both the curve and an ascending grade. It is almost a complete circle nearly 400 feet in length with better than a 4 percent grade. Looking to the right and below us, we again view the Las Flores Canyon and Echo Mountain where you changed from the Incline to this car. Mount Lowe, The Railway in the Clouds, page 166.
Car #5 - 1890s (Courtesy of the Los Angeles County Library)
Chief engineer Macpherson demonstrated his ingenuity when the Alpine Division reached a point exactly midway between Echo Mountain and Alpine Tavern. It was impossible to continue straight ahead and reach the summit on a grade that was negotiable by electric traction. He solved the turnback problem with a huge circular bridge, with a substantial difference in the elevation of each end. Mount Lowe, The Railway in the Clouds, page 166.
Car #9 - 1890s (Courtesy of the Los Angeles County Library)
Car #122 - 1909 (Courtesy of the Los Angeles County Library)
Car #32 - 1912 (Courtesy of the Los Angeles County Library)
Looking west down into present day Glendale (Courtesy of the Los Angeles County Library)
Leaving Circular Bridge - Looking East (Courtesy of the Los Angeles County Library)
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