302
Dale Creek Bridge, Sherman, Wyoming, 1885. A dangerous crossing that required trains to slow down to 4mph. (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 2 years ago by to c/historyporn@lemmy.world
24 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] 64 points 2 years ago (2 children)

I parents live within a 5-mile drive from that location. I don't think the commenters understand how windy that place is. The wood may look more sturdy but it's also a wind sail. The thin "toothpick" structure was most likely designed to allow the wind to pass through without blowing the bridge down.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • hideshow 4 child comments
    •
  • [–] 22 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    There's an easy solution to make bridges stable in windy conditions:

    (That bridge was built from 1846 to 1851 and it's still used today)

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [–] 18 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    And how do you propose you get all those bricks to some remote pass in Wyoming in the late 19th century? There was 21,000 (non-native) people living in an area larger than the entire United Kingdom in 1880.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [–] 44 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    I mean... A train?

    I get you though; built with what's readily available to meet the needs of the time.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 4 child comments
    •
  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago

    It's not jist about what's readily available either. A giant brick viaduct would require thousands if workers, housing, food, and sanitation for them. On top of that, the army would have to dedicate a full company ti protecting the workers due to the risk of attack from natives. The logistics just make it impossible for such a remote area back then.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent