Re: Pictures of rusty Railroad bridge accross Tanana River at Nenana

gl4316@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 (gl4316@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
) wrote:

> Bridges of that era were certainly painted with lead paint.

More common was a mixture of graphite and boiled linseed oil.

There is much debate about the need for paint on steel railroad bridges.  
Beyond the esthetic question, it costs money to paint bridges, and the
cost 
may not be justified by the savings in extended bridge life.  Railroad 
bridge life is based on fatigue, and rarely on loss of metal due to 
corrosion.  Paint doesn't extend fatigue life.