Wolfman01 (@Wolfman01)

The Dale Creek Crossing in Wyoming by Artist William Henry Jackson (1843 - 1942)... Engineers were required to slow trains to a crawl so this spindly 130-foot-high bridge wouldn't sway in the wind. (1880s) The Dale Creek Crossing was one of the most famous engineering challenges of the First Transcontinental Railroad. Built in 1868 by the Union Pacific Railroad near Sherman Summit in Wyoming Territory, the bridge spanned Dale Creek at a height of approximately 126 feet (38 meters), making it one of the tallest railroad bridges in the United States at the time. Constructed primarily from timber reinforced with iron rods, the trestle quickly gained a reputation for swaying in Wyoming's powerful winds. Train crews were often required to reduce speed dramatically when crossing, and passengers reportedly preferred not to look down during the journey. Engineers continually strengthened the structure as heavier locomotives entered service. Despite its precarious appearance, the bridge played a vital role in connecting the eastern and western United States by rail. It remained in use until 1885, when it was replaced by a more stable stone and steel fill route. During construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, workers laid track at an astonishing pace. On April 28, 1869, crews set a record by laying 10 miles of track in a single day, a feat that still stands as one of the greatest achievements in railroad construction history. © Vintage American Photos #History