My fascination (obsession) with early railroad trestles continues, particularly about methods of construction. Steam powered pile drivers were critical. The photo that follows shows this better than others that I've seen.
Photo courtesy University of Washington Libraries, CKK0419, Clark Kinsey photographer, circa 1930
How did the pile driver work? Steam power was provided by little more than a glorified donkey engine using a specialized cable setup to raise and lower a weight to hammer the pilings in place. A 3 log structure surrounded the footing to keep the weight moving up and down at the correct angle as it hammered away.
Photo courtesy University of Washington Libraries, CKK0185, Clark Kinsey photographer, n.d.
Simple but effective in all conditions.
Photo courtesy University of Washington Libraries, CKK01501, Clark Kinsey photographer, n.d.
Judging from the above photo, each piling was pounded many feet into the ground, providing a very solid foundation for the rail beds above. In a wreck, it was seldom the pilings that gave way, but the rail bed structure placed atop the pilings.
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