09-10-2009, 05:17 PM
1
American Railroads
I stand in awe at them, Britain had the first railways but the USA has surpassed us all, from Grand Central Station to the UP's fantastic engineering feat across the Rocky mountains to the Pacific Ocean.I watch "Extreme Trains" on Discovery and am amazed at how they operate, UP even have an old steam loco that runs on old used automobile oil, during WW2 they had a massive loco called "Big Boy", it was used to ship giant naval guns to the west coast.
Today there's a massive train that ships fresh food from California to the east all in refrigerated box-cars, that's over 3000 miles, amazing.
If you Google Big Boy Loco you'll see what I mean.
09-10-2009, 09:31 PM
4
Re: American Railroads
Wow indeed, that's quite a train. I think you know far more about our railroads than I do. They are sadly not what they used to be what with the interstate highways and the car-obsessed culture... I loved going up th New England to the Cape in the overnight sleeping car; such a cozy little roomette.
10-10-2009, 10:08 AM
7
Re: American Railroads
Originally Posted by Calismum
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That engine is massive. I love the discovery channel, always learn something new.You ever been to Summerlee ind museum Nero? I thought it was very interesting when we went there a few years back on a trip down to the city.
21-11-2009, 02:52 PM
8
Re: American Railroads
The contract for the Canadian Pacific railroad was drawn up by Abraham Lincoln in 1862 at the height of the Civil War.The first spade of earth was dug in Sacramento, California, by a shopkeeper, there were 4 of them all together, a draper, a grocer, a hardware store keeper and someone else
The contract stated that 40 miles of track had to be laid before the US government paid out any cash, the shopkeepers had great difficulty getting workers to lay the track, but due to famine in China there were thousands of Chinese men available.
The gang boss had no time for them but after 4 years of hard work and great loss of life crossing the Sierra Nevada's and Rockies they earned his deepest respect.
21-11-2009, 03:36 PM
9
Re: American Railroads
Originally Posted by dandysmom
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Wow indeed, that's quite a train. I think you know far more about our railroads than I do. They are sadly not what they used to be what with the interstate highways and the car-obsessed culture... I loved going up th New England to the Cape in the overnight sleeping car; such a cozy little roomette.
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