Aug 9th, 2017: Railroads Beginning

It’s called The Library of Congress although I doubt our Congress critters use it much.
I think a better title would be The US Repository of Neat Old Shit.
In the early days moving stuff was by boat or horse/mule/ox drawn wagons.
In 1830 the first public railroad in the US changed the course of history.
Only four years later in 1834 this map was published.



The reason it could contain 14 profiles of canals and railroads, including route profiles for the B&O Railroad, the Columbia Railroad, Pa., and
the Massachusetts railroads, is it included railroads and canals, finished, unfinished, and in contemplation.
In contemplation is as clear as mud but it covers the ground, all the way from feasibility discussion, to surveying the route and raising funds.



The first public railroad in the US, was the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad(B&O).
It started with 23 miles of track which was mostly hardwood rails topped with iron.
B&O used the first American-built steam locomotive, Tom Thumb, producing a whopping 1.4 horsepower, and moving 36 passengers at 18 mph.



While those profiles may not be exactly accurate, considering they were measured with chains, transits, compasses, and a lot of pencils,
after cutting all the trees in the way, it's remarkable how close they are.

link

Do you want me to be late for work?

No, I want you to stay home and enjoy this beautiful summer day.