THE WONDERFUL HORSESHOE TIMBER TRESTLE 1,240 FEET LONG, VARYING FROM 40 TO 90 FEET HIGH, ON THE CENTRAL ALASKAN RAILWAY
Over 1,000,000 lineal feet of timber was used in its construction.
The line was to conform in every particular to a first-class trunk system, with a maximum grade of only 1 in 50, with few and easy curves. That was the idea on paper, but it proved a terrible task to attempt to reduce theory to practice. Directly the base of operations at Seward was left, the engineers found the country in its primeval condition, the ground being covered with a tall, dense, dank grass between five and six feet in height, and tangled thick forests. Clearing alone was a tedious job, and the prevalence of bog rendered movement slow and exasperating.
A WASH-OUT CAUSED BY THE PLACER RIVER IN FLOOD
Showing-the extensive damage inflicted upon the embankment.
THE OBLITERATION OF THE LINE BY A LANDSLIDE
Over 1,200 feet of track was torn up and carried 2000 feet down the mountain-side.