(This story was updated to add new information.)
A tractor-trailer hit the historic railroad bridge in Seven Valleys earlier this month and caused so much damage that the Northern Central Railway excursion train will not be able to travel across it.
“It does appear the bridge was moved so it caused a misalignment in the tracks,” said Steve Malesker, team leader in transportation for Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc.
The historic railroad bridge, which is owned by York County, has an 11-foot, 1-inch clearance that makes it impossible for large trucks to pass under it. Some back up and turn around, but others still try to make it through and get stuck.
The recent bridge strike “is one of the worst we’ve seen in a while,” Malesker said. The full scope of the repairs that will be needed is not yet known.
It is safe for pedestrians on the Heritage Rail Trail to walk over the bridge and for vehicles on Route 214 to travel underneath it, Malesker said. The Northern Central Railway train, however, will not be able to cross over the span.