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Post by Randy on Oct 28, 2008 14:47:37 GMT -5
Freda took a quick pic of our newest covered bridge. It is the newest and longest covered bridge in the world now. Just opened 3 1/2 weeks ago.
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PeterW
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Post by PeterW on Oct 28, 2008 16:27:39 GMT -5
Nice picture, Freda.
I take it that this scoops the title of the world's longest covered bridge from the Hartland Bridge in New Brunswick, Canada which used to be billed as the world's longest?
I sometimes wondered why we don't seem to have covered bridges in the UK and came to two conclusions:
1. The rest of the road is in the wet when it rains so why bother to go into the dry to cross a river.
2. Most of our long suspension or pillared bridges are in exposed positions, and the extra side force of a gale on the covered driveway would put unnecessary strain on the structure.
I believe the reports on the Tay Bridge disaster in 1879, when the bridge collapsed in a storm with a train full of people, blamed the extra side loading caused by the train effectively blocking the 'air holes' in the bridge. Apparently this hadn't been thought of in the design calculations.
We do have a few more carefully designed and quite spectacular bridges, many built in the 19th century, including at least one that carries a canal over a ravine. Without checking I believe it was designed by Telford who designed many of the UK's bridges.
PeterW
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Post by Randy on Oct 29, 2008 10:17:15 GMT -5
I'm just going by what the local newspapers are saying. We tried to get a side picture but the construction crews still had equipment in the way. I'm not stable enough on my legs anymore to hike though the brush like I used to, so Freda shot this with our Kodak Easyshare.
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Post by Rachel on Oct 29, 2008 13:46:16 GMT -5
I believe the reports on the Tay Bridge disaster in 1879, when the bridge collapsed in a storm with a train full of people, blamed the extra side loading caused by the train effectively blocking the 'air holes' in the bridge. Apparently this hadn't been thought of in the design calculations. Just a side comment about the Tay bridge disaster. I read recently that soon after the accident the locomotive was recovered and put back into service. From then on it was nicknamed "The Diver" by the company's drivers. Rachel
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Oct 29, 2008 14:34:13 GMT -5
"Just a side comment about the Tay bridge disaster. I read recently that soon after the accident the locomotive was recovered and put back into service. From then on it was nicknamed "The Diver" by the company's drivers."
And instead of saying "Choo choo" it said "Achoo".
A. Nonny Mouse.
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Post by olroy2044 on Oct 29, 2008 15:51:29 GMT -5
Welcome to the group, Mr. Mouse. Are you by chance related to Jack O. Lantorn or Frank N. Stein? Roy
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Post by Rachel on Oct 29, 2008 16:17:57 GMT -5
People taking silly pills again
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PeterW
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Post by PeterW on Oct 30, 2008 6:47:19 GMT -5
I believe he's a descendant of the legendary Sir Rupp of Figs. (The silly pills haven't worn off yet, Rachel) PeterW
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Oct 30, 2008 7:25:44 GMT -5
A family legend says that we are direct descendants of P. King Mann and his wife Obe. On a whim, the second "N" was dropped in favour of an "R" after "Obe", hence "Ober". However, the general population could not pronounce the "R". They grew restive and eventually exiled the Ober - Mans to the far far west.
Silly pills are a staple in my diet. I couldn't function without them.
Mickey
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Andrew
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Post by Andrew on Oct 30, 2008 8:21:13 GMT -5
can i ask what is likely a silly question with an obvious answer. (perhaps if i looked it up).
but why do they build the bridges with cover?
I have seen the quaint looking wooden ones in American movies and thought perhaps it was to protect the timber from which the bridge was made, from the elements and weathering.
is there another reason? this new bridge of Randys obviously isnt made from timber, or is it? looks modern
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Post by Rachel on Oct 30, 2008 8:49:34 GMT -5
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Post by olroy2044 on Oct 30, 2008 12:49:47 GMT -5
Between the three of us, we support the Silly Pill industry! Roy
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Post by Randy on Oct 30, 2008 13:27:08 GMT -5
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Post by vintageslrs on Oct 30, 2008 18:10:08 GMT -5
Randy Tell Freda...nice photo of one of my favorite subjects--covered bridges! Bob
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Post by Randy on Oct 30, 2008 18:11:24 GMT -5
Will do Bob.
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