Western Railroad Discussion > 7 wonders of the railroad world........

Does anyone know what they are?


Ryan

I believe that one is the Tehachapi Loop.

That's what the plaque says there. Sick

Raton Pass? Cajon Pass? The Gillette-Orin coal line? How about one that used to be in my neck of the woods and does not exist anymore - the FEC's overseas railroad to Key West?

Causeway across the Great Salt Lake.

Moffat Tunnel, Starucca Viaduct, Hoosac Tunnel, Huey Long Bridge, Royal Gorge Colorado, The Loop, Cascade Tunnel. but hey thats just my list.

Keddie Wye on FRC, Spiral Tunnels in Canada?

LarryB @ mp308, UP Canyon Sub

I've got another one, its not here in the U.S., but how about the Chunnel Tunnel between France and England?

I would certainly include "The Impossible Railroad" finished in 1919 and going from San Diego to El Centro through the Carrizo Gorge, which had stopped running in the 80's after floods and tunnelfires etc., which will start running freight again in Feb. 2004 after restoring the line. A very spectacular line.

I would add the Tunkhannock Viaduct on the old DL&W.
Chris S.

Horseshoe Curve on the NS is one of the seven, there is a plaque to that effect at the visitors center. Remember this is awarded by an American organization for American projects.

The spiral tunnels on Canadian Pacific's Kicking Horse Pass.

Might well include the Mount MacDonald tunnel and the bridges at Cisco.


TCS - too many more to mention.

Not officially one of the 7, but I'd add CNW's Kate Shelly Bridge in Iowa.

L.G.

Are there any SUPER-SIZED railroad yards that could be part of this list like Taylor yard?

Robby F. (Mr. MRL)

Saluda Grade on NS south of Asheville, NC would have to be included. A short but incredibly steep mainline grade. Unfortunately now in mothballs pending an upturn in business.

SW1200

There are numerous "railway wonders of the world" in the world. Here's one from Japan:

Seikan Tunnel - Vital Statistics:

Location: Honshu and Hokkaido, Japan
Completion Date: 1988
Cost: $7 billion
Length: 174,240 feet (33 miles)
Purpose: Railway
Setting: Underwater
Materials: Steel, concrete
Engineer(s): Japan Railway Construction Corporation


Ray

If yards are to be included - UP's gargantuan Bailey Yard in North Platte Neb would top that list as the world's largest.
Larry

Ray_Murphy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There are numerous "railway wonders of the world"
> in the world. Here's one from Japan:
>
> Seikan Tunnel - Vital Statistics:
>
> Location: Honshu and Hokkaido, Japan

...used for growing shiitake mushrooms for its first ten years of existence. Unfortunately, by the time it was built, the engineers started questioning their own calculations regarding overpressure in front of the train -- would a fast moving train in the tunnel blow it apart? Have never heard how they solved this.

But it's fascinating to see that once again, Japan let no food-producing resource go to waste...

-=paulf

List of the world's longest railway tunnels, constructed and planned:

http://home.no.net/lotsberg/data/rail.html

GN's Cascade Tunnel, at 12,537m, still stands out. It was the world's first "super length" tunnel in 1929. Of course, the Chunnel and Gotthard Base projects have created a new "mega length" class, but this is nearly a century later...

-=paulf