High Bridge

High Bridge is a stone arch railway bridge that carries trains across the West Branch Brandywine Creek with ten arches supporting its span. The structure rises about 78 feet (24 meters) above the valley and was built with a four-track design to handle multiple trains.

The Pennsylvania Railroad built this stone bridge between 1902 and 1904 to replace earlier wooden and iron structures that had served since 1832. The four-track design reflected growing demands for increased railway capacity in the region.

The bridge represents a major engineering achievement of the early 20th century and holds a place on the National Register of Historic Places.

Amtrak passenger trains and Norfolk Southern freight trains regularly cross this bridge as part of active rail operations. The structure can be viewed from nearby vantage points in the valley, though direct access to the bridge itself is restricted.

Though steel was common in early 1900s construction, engineers selected stone for this bridge because of its exceptional durability and longevity. This material choice allowed the structure to withstand more than a century of heavy train traffic.

Location: Coatesville

Made from material: stone

GPS coordinates: 39.98390,-75.82750

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:41