This day in history February 5, 1883

[r_i_straw]

At the Pecos River in Texas, the Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio links up with the Southern Pacific. (http://www.history.com/tdih.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=4420)

[Stourbridge Lion]

:shade: :shade: :shade: :shade:

[Flash Blackman]

Pecos River? Isn't that the spindly little bridge or is that another one? I had heard that cab forwards were too heavy to cross it, so none were operated east of El Paso. OTOH, I am pretty sure the AC-9s did operate as far as El Paso and they were a similar (non-cab forward) type.

Old Pecos River bridge:
http://www.texasescapes.com/Texas_architecture/TexasBridges/PecosRiverRailroadBridgePostcard.jpg
New Pecos River bridge:
http://www.texasescapes.com/Texas_architecture/TexasBridges/PecosRiverBridge800.jpg

I probably wouldn't cross that bridge even today! :omg:

Wonder if we have engineers here on TB who cross that these days?

[r_i_straw]

Well, in 1883, it was over a third bridge. A low bridge was located at the mouth of the Pecos River, where it joins the Rio Grande. I belive this location is now under water in the Armistad Reservoir. To reach this crossing, trains had to follow the "Loop Line" a winding route which descended southward down steep grades into the canyons of the Rio Grande, passed through two tunnels and deep cuts, and ran along ledges where the danger of rock slides was constant. The railroad quickly found a new route. The spindly "High Bridge" was opened in 1892 up river about five miles from the old bridge.