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Maryland Historical Society
Library of Maryland History
201 W. Monument Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410-685-3750
Fax: 410-385-2105
E-mail: library @mdhs.org
Buy the Book
Maryland
History In Prints: 1752-1900
by Laura Rice |
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The Thomas Viaduct, Across the Patapsco River on the
Washington Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Drawn by Thomas Campbell
1835
Lithograph |
The 704-foot-long Thomas Viaduct is the oldest stone arch railroad viaduct
in use today. Designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe Jr., then a young
engineer with little experience, the viaduct was named for Philip E. Thomas,
first president of the B & O Railroad. At the time of its construction
the viaduct was the largest bridge in America and the first built on a
curve. The eight arched bridge was designed to carry newly introduced
mechanical steam engines weighing as much as six tons apiece. Officially
completed July 4, 1835, it now bears engines weighing about three hundred
and fifty tons each, with no additional reinforcement. The Thomas
Viaduct is located at Relay, the halfway point between Baltimore and Ellicotts
Mills, where horses pulling rail cars were changed.
The lithograph was suggested by Philip E. Thomas to celebrate this achievement.
It was drawn by John H. B. Latrobe, the engineer's brother, and placed
on stone by Baltimore artist Thomas Campbell. The monument designed
by Latrobe is seen at the right of the image. The stone is inscribed
with the names of the directors of the railroad company and the principals
involved in constructing the bridge. The builder's name, McCarthy, has
been inscribed twice.
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