A Railway Bridge of 1898 with British Details
The Omi Railway Echigawa Bridge (近江鉄道愛知川橋梁) is a steel railway bridge of 1898 in Gokasho Yanasecho, Higashiomi City, to Echigawa, Aisho Town, Shiga Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on October 23, 2008 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a steel bridge of nine plate girders and a single truss, 239 metres long, with its abutments and piers; registration number 25-0260.
Nine Plate Girders and a Truss
The Omi Railway Echigawa Bridge crosses the middle reaches of the Echi River. It is a single-track railway bridge 239 metres long, made up of nine plate girders and a single pony Warren truss (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Its J-shaped stiffeners, the trapezoidal frame of the truss and the arrangement of its cross beams show the characteristics of British bridge engineering (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency values it as a railway bridge of the late Meiji period still in service, and registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape.
What to Look For
Look for the British-style details in the J-shaped stiffeners and the trapezoidal frame of the truss (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is a working railway bridge owned by the Omi Railway Line Management Organization (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It can only be seen from its surroundings, as the tracks are off limits. No official information on visiting was found.
Q&A
- When was the bridge built?
- In 1898 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How long is it?
- 239 metres.
- What is its structure?
- Nine plate girders and a single pony Warren truss.
- How is the river name read?
- Echigawa.
- When was the Omi Railway Echigawa Bridge registered?
- On October 23, 2008 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Omi Railway Echigawa Bridge (近江鉄道愛知川橋梁) |
|---|---|
| Location | Gokasho Yanasecho, Higashiomi City, to Echigawa, Aisho Town, Shiga Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2008/10/23 (Heisei 20) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Steel, 9 plate girders and 1 truss, 239 m long |
| Owner | Omi Railway Line Management Organization |
| Public Access | Working railway bridge (viewed from its surroundings) |
References
- Omi Railway Echigawa Bridge (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00007361
Last verified: 2026.10.19