Saturday 4 April 2015
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"Westward ho... The long and winding railroad."
In the early 1800's, like other east coast cities, the port of Baltimore's commercial viability was challenged by New York's construction of the Erie Canal. The canal would soon link the Hudson River with the Great Lakes and thus, the country's major north-south rivers, giving New York dominant shipping access to much of the country.
The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was incorporated in 1827 and a path for the Old Main Line was plotted to the Potomac River and points west. The earliest version of the line twisted and turned mimicking the adjacent Patapsco River as it climbed westward towards the midpoint town of Mt. Airy and a problematic elevation. From there it descended across rolling farm land until it reached the Potomac just southeast of Harper's Ferry, WV at Point of Rocks, MD.
We'll look at much more history from time to time, but for tomorrow, it's time to roll up my sleeves and get to work. Lumber, power tools and other assorted manly things. Lots of photos of the bench work. Promise.
"Westward ho... The long and winding railroad."
The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was incorporated in 1827 and a path for the Old Main Line was plotted to the Potomac River and points west. The earliest version of the line twisted and turned mimicking the adjacent Patapsco River as it climbed westward towards the midpoint town of Mt. Airy and a problematic elevation. From there it descended across rolling farm land until it reached the Potomac just southeast of Harper's Ferry, WV at Point of Rocks, MD.
This layout will focus on the eastern end between Ilchester and Sykesville. It will feature busy mill operations at Ellicott City, Oella and Daniels. A set-out yard just east of Ellicott City is used for the holding and classification of trains for all of these operations. |
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We'll look at much more history from time to time, but for tomorrow, it's time to roll up my sleeves and get to work. Lumber, power tools and other assorted manly things. Lots of photos of the bench work. Promise.
-30-?
BONUS: RHETORICAL QUESTION OF THE DAY...
The B&O rushed the OML to completion ignoring what crucial issue?
A) Torrential rain just might cause rivers to overflow their banks.
B) Sharp curves become problematic as trains grow in speed and size.
C) Shallow track grades are always preferred to steep ones for transit.
D) All of the above?
B) Sharp curves become problematic as trains grow in speed and size.
C) Shallow track grades are always preferred to steep ones for transit.
D) All of the above?
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