This bridge possesses an advantage over the Howe Truss, for the panel diagonals can be tightened up by screws, so that every part of the truss can be forced to perform its work. In Howe's bridge the adjustments must be made by wedging the braces and counters.
Below are given the dimensions of a Howe bridge on the Vermont Central R.R., at South Royalton, (single track, deck.)
| Span. | 150 |
| Rise. | 20 |
| No. of Panels. | 12 |
| Upper Chord. | 4—6½ x 13 |
| Lower Chord. | 4—6½ x 13 |
| Braces. | 2—8 x 9 |
| Counters. | 1—8 x 9 |
| Rods. | 3—1¼" |
| Transverse Bracing. | |
| Braces. | 6 x 8 |
| Rods. | ⅞ |
The bridge over the White River, on the Passumpsic R.R., is a Howe Truss, strengthened by an arch. The verticals are of wood, and the diagonals foot on steps formed by enlarging the ends of the verticals. The counters are in two lengths, and are adjusted by wedges at the points where they intersect the braces. The bridge is in two spans, and has a double track, and consequently three trusses. There are two timber arches to each truss, and the truss is supported on them by connecting them to the verticals by short cross pieces notched into the posts, and resting on the upper surface of the arches. It is a very stiff bridge, and similar to the one at Bellows Falls, both having their axis oblique to the channel of the stream they cross. The timbers could hardly be procured now, except at great expense.
| Span. | No. of Panels. | Rods. | Upper Chord. | Lower Chord. | Braces. | Counters. | Uprights. | Arches. |
| 182 | 14 | 21 | 2—8 x 16, 1—5 x 16 | 2—8 x 17, 2—4 x 17, 1—5 x 17 | 1—21 x 8 | 1—8 x 10 | 21 x 11 | 2—8 x 9 |
Diagonals 6 x 8, Rods ⅞. Floor timbers suspended both from arches and truss, 9 x 13; stringers 10 x 14.
In the Cheshire Bridge, the braces are only 20 x 8, and the span is only 175 feet, the number of Panels being 14, as in the W.R. Bridge—the other dimensions are the same. Below are given the dimensions of a Howe Truss of 108 ft. span, weight to be borne on upper chord.
| Rise Ft. | Camber Ins. | No. of Panels. | Upper Chord Ins. | Lower Chord Ins. | Braces Ins. | Counters Ins. | E Rods Ins. | Floor Timbers Ins. |
| 13½ | 3 | 12 | 8—3 x 12 | 8—3x12 | 2—8 x 10 | 1—7 x 10 | 2—2⅛ | 9 x 16 |
As plank is used for the chords, the pieces must be bolted thoroughly with ⅝ bolts.
