Re: Why?

That 'compromise joint' and change of rail size is strange. One would also expect to see a fence line associated with what seems to be a cattle guard. From this close view it just seems rather strange to see such an obviously heavy duty, and unusually long thing that resembles a cattle guard. I suppose a wider angle photograph would give the thing some perspective.

I think the pipes or rails in a cattle guard are closer together, to give vehicles a reasonable smooth ride while discouraging the cattle. Perhaps it is not a cattle guard at all.

Is this in the access road to a gravel pit or a stone quarry? Perhaps it is a 'corduroy road' intended to shake loose unstable load components before a load gets to a public road/highway.

Looking again, I think that the holes are indeed in the web of the rails. The lighting makes it a bit difficult to be sure.

Anyhow, it is an interesting photo and I am sure that you have some interesting bit to add. I will wait for the other shoe to fall, but not hold my breath.

Thank you for all the photos you post. I most certainly enjoy all of them, regardless of where they were taken. Of course, I enjoy the Colorado photos the most as that is what I am most familiar with.

Rex Beistle
NMRA RMR
Estes Valley Division