Steam locomotive transported across the Rio Grande River in 1915 by cables

[GON]

This is an eye-opening picture. A steam locomotive being transported across the Rio Grande River in New Mexico in 1915.

I struggle comprehending what allows these long steel cables, anchor points, and forward movement to allow this mission to be successful.

WOW....

 

[walterjay]

Maybe they pressurized the boiler with helium

 

[skyactiv]

Looks like a yard switcher.

 

[Kira]

Where along the Rio Grande, I wonder.

 

[Rand]

looks like the cables slope down with additional cables to slow the descent.

 

[ctechbob]

Comment I found online. I have no idea if it is true or not:

"This is at Elephant Butte Dam, construction 1911 -1915. The 0-4-0 tank engine was brought.in be a railroad spur that ended at dam site on the east side of the river. The engine was then hoisted by the cranes to the west side of the dam where it was used to haul fill rock from the quarries to dam site. Upon completion and filling 1915-1916, Elephant Butte became the largest artificial lake in America and fourth largest in the world. It is now the 48th largest in the US."

 

[ctechbob]

There's your cable ways:

From the Wikipedia article.

"A system of three cables, each having a capacity of 15 tons and a span of 1,400 feet (430 m), was suspended across the canyon over the site."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_Butte_Dam

 

[ctechbob]

https://geoinfo.nmt.edu/gallery/home.cfml?ID=218

AT&SF Railroad Spur at Elephant Butte Dam​

I do believe they have marked the location of the railroad spur incorrectly on their maps. Looking at the picture in reference to Elephant Butte, I believe these are the ruins of the spur.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/bGn6G3Q9aXwzjgp87

 

[ctechbob]

Few other pics I dug up. Those towers were built of wood.

Pictures from:

 

[fantastic]

Originally curiosity filled my brain then @ctechbob taught us what was actually happening. Good read!

 

[ctechbob]

Lol, being on the spectrum means I can go from 0 to rabbit hole QUICK. Trick is getting back out of them.

 

[fantastic]

Lol, being on the spectrum means I can go from 0 to rabbit hole QUICK. Trick is getting back out of them.

I live in a rabit hole...even My wife calls me "Honey Bunny" from one of our favorite flicks "Who framed Roger Rabit".
Awesome bit of history & it's great to keep these stories alive by sharing.

Keep on learnin', & joking, BITOG friends!

 

[ZeeOSix]

I struggle comprehending what allows these long steel cables, anchor points, and forward movement to allow this mission to be successful.

Engineers with slide rules that understand physics.

 

[Pablo]

Engineers with slide rules that understand physics.

Someone was not guessing strengths of materials

 

[ZeeOSix]

Someone was not guessing strengths of materials

The info was probably available through previous engineering and testing, or they did it if the materials used strength properties weren't known and available.

 

[Fitter30]

Maybe they pressurized the boiler with helium

There wasn't a party supply store near