Skykomish River Bridge and a story about America’s first steam locomotive
Skykomish River Bridge
And that time when America’s first steam locomotive lost a race to a horse!
Wagonways, commonly known as wooden railroads, began to be constructed in the United States around 1720s. Back then, horses were used to move the equipment along the wooden tracks. It was not until the Industrial Revolution when the rails were made wholly of iron, since the first tracks “were not strong enough to resit buckling under the passage of the loaded wagons.” This was a huge step for railroads, which began to play a major role in transportation around 1810.
Seventeen years later, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad became the first US company granted a charter for transporting both passengers and freight. “However, the company struggled to produce a steam engine capable of traveling over rough and uneven terrain.” A new and powerful engine was needed.
Peter Cooper (an American industrialist, inventor, philanthropist, and candidate for President of the United States) offered to design and build the ultimate engine.
The 28th of August, 1830, Cooper’s engine, also known as “Tom Thumb”, was being tested near Baltimore. Surprisingly, a horse-drawn train pulled up alongside it and challenged Cooper (and “Tom Thumb”) to a race. Cooper accepted and although the locomotive initially took the lead, it was forced to retire when a belt broke loose. Cooper had to witness how the horse crossed the finish line first.
Nevertheless, B&O investors and executives didn’t think of this event as a failure. Actually, they made the decision to convert their fledgling railroad to steam! Apparently they “were impressed with the massive power and speed Cooper’s engine had proven.” Overtime, the B&O became one of the most successful railways in the United States, and Cooper went on to a career as an investor and philanthropist.
One of the most picturesque sections can be found in the State of Washington. The Skykomish River Bridge, built in 1892 for the Great Northern Railway, connects Okanogan-Wenatchee National Park with the city of Seattle. Its surroundings could be more inspiring!
