July 4th marked the 175 anniversary of the completion of the Thomas Viaduct, built to carry the B&O Railroad across the Patapsco River between Baltimore and Washington. Designed by Benjamin Latrobe, Jr., it was the the first multi-span masonry railroad bridge in the United States to be built on a curve. At the time of it's construction it was referred to as Latrobe's Folly, because many people thought it would collapse under the weight of crossing trains. Freight and commuter trains still cross the viaduct every day, and it has not collapsed yet. So I guess Latrobe has the last laugh.
Here is a video of a diorama from the B&O Railroad Museum in Ellicott City, MD. It displays the first thirteen miles of the B&O line out of Baltimore and includes the Thomas Viaduct.
Here is a current video of a CSX Train crossing the Viaduct.
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