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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
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[–] 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.

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  • [–] 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)

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  • [–] 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.

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  • [–] 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.

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  • [–] 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.

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    • [–] 43 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    Haha, according to the article, that photo is after the reinforcements were added. No thanks

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  • [–] 35 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    Honestly the wood one looked more secure

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    • [–] 34 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    More info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Creek_Crossing

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    • [–] 29 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    Civil Engineering took a while to catch on.

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  • [–] 37 points 2 years ago

    The number of rail bridge collapses covered by Well There's Your Problem where the episode opens with a retelling of how the railroad company owner designed the bridge himself because the engineers couldn't grasp the genius of his vision is too damn high.

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    • [–] 28 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    That bridge looks rickety af

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    • [–] 23 points 2 years ago

    That's the kind of bridge I'd only want to cross at 88 mph.

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    [–] 14 points 2 years ago

    FLOOR IT

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    [–] 9 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    Couldn't they have, idk... built a more substantial bridge?

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    • [–] 7 points 2 years ago

    Just send it!

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    [–] 4 points 2 years ago

    Maybe less weight at once? You've got two engines there after all...

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