Takedown of the Waterport Trestle

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 October 2013 at 12:00 am

WATERPORT – When the Waterport Trestle was dismantled in 1995, local photographer Don “Cookie” Cook was there to document the historic removal.

Cook knew the demolition of the landmark over the Oak Orchard River was an event that needed to be recorded for history. He donated the photos to the Orleans County History Department.

Frank Zicari scanned in the images, and shared them with The Orleans Hub. Cook wrote down the dates when the photos were taken and included descriptions from the scenes.

The top photo was taken on Sept. 13, 1995, and shows operator Jerry Weakland and Mark Woodley removing ties from the Hojack Railroad Bridge.

Here are more photos, and Cook’s words:

Aug. 24, 1995 – Looking east, one section is down (the far end).

Aug. 28, 1995 – Down comes another section of the Hojack Railroad Bridge.

Aug. 28, 1995 – Dismantling the Hojack RR Bridge

Sept. 20, 1995 – Jack Weakland of Plastings, Pa. and his son Jerry remove the last Hojack Railroad Tie (610 total were across the bridge) on the west bank near Clark Mills Road. Charles Pelleschi, the landowner from Summerhill, Pa., watches the removal.

Oct. 2, 1995 – Jack Weakland by the bulldozer gives directions as the Hojack Railroad Bridge is winched up at Clark Mills Road one piece at a time.