What are the 7 wonders of the US railroading world?

[Specter3]

I have been to Tehachapi and more recently to Horseshoe Curve. What other places fall into the Wonders of the World category in the US?

[davefoxx]

I like this one in Switzerland (oh, and "Ed's Law!"):

On a more serious side, how about the Spiral Tunnels in British Columbia?  Or, the Overseas Railroad (FEC) to Key West until a hurricane took it out?

DFF

EDIT: If I may, I'd like to point out the obvious in that two of the three "Wonders of the U.S. Railroading World" that I noted above are not in the U.S. 

[C855B]

Well, if historical counts, there's my fave, Stateline Tower in Hammond, IN. In its day it was the largest interlocker in the world.

[Jesse6669]

Saluda grade.. Moffat Tunnel .. Florida Overseas Railroad (if abandoned counts)...

[C855B]

Moffat, yes. Spectacular. Here is a recent picture of the view from Moffat Tunnel:





(If I had had location turned on in the EXIF data you would see that it actually is from inside Moffat. I did it as a joke for a friend at work.)

Seriously... don't forget Donner Pass, mindful that it was excavated by hand.

[Scottl]

There are many tunnels, bridges and summits out there, few are particularly "wonders" to me even if the historical aspects are remarkable, especially compared to what has been done in Europe.

The one thing that impresses me as a modern wonder is the Santa Fe-BNSF racetrack from Los Angeles to Chicago.  The shear scale and speed that tonnage can move on that line is a combination of impressive design and operation.  There are few lines that operate like that in the world, and the scale is what really sets it apart.  It may not be as busy as the UP line through Nebraska, but the scope and vision of the BNSF line puts it in my list of wonders. 

[rickb773]

Erie Starrucca viaduct
see: http://www.american-rails.com/starrucca.html
and: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cgyyBrrIpbc/T3t8H-QGhrI/AAAAAAAABm4/r-iuksSV_hE/s1600/Erie+Camelback+Pushers+Starrucca+Viaduct+1908.jpg

[Spikre]

 
  DL&W Nickolson Viaduct,one of the largest Concrete bridges ever built.
   ACL built a smaller version over the James River ,always reminds me of the
 larger DL&W bridges.
   PRR Tunnels under the Hudson.
      Spikre
       

[davefoxx]

ACL built a smaller version over the James River . . .

You know, I have always admired that James River bridge that was once owned jointly by the ACL and the RF&P.  I even got to ride across it this summer for the first time on the Auto Train.  There's a great view from there, including the James River at the fall line and a look at CSX's former C&O Rivanna Subdivision along the old canal down below:



DFF

[Dave V]

Georgetown Loop on the former Colorado Central/Denver, Leadville, and Gunnison/Colorado & Southern.

Alpine Tunnel on the former Denver, South Park and Pacific.

Busk-Ivanhoe Tunnel on the former Colorado Midland.

Another vote for the Florida East Coast's Key West Extension.

Another vote for both Pennsy's Horseshoe Curve and the whole New York Penn Station infrastructure including the Hudson and East River tunnels, the station itself, and Sunnyside Yard.

UP's Bailey Yard at North Platte, NE.

Pennsy's Enola Yard in its heyday.

Pennsy's former Atglen and Susquehanna Low Grade line.

More than 7 I know...

[MVW]

Well, it's probably going too far to suggest this as one of the "seven wonders," but it's one of my faves.



Built in the 1880s in Minneapolis for the Great Northern, it's the only stone arch bridge to cross the Mississippi. 2100 feet long, with an eye-pleasing curve.

Jim

[lock4244]

Powder River.

Horseshoe Curve.

Tehachapi Loop.

Cascade Tunnel.

Entire MILW Pacific Extension.

SP's route over Donner Pass.

SP's route between Eugene and Klamath Falls, OR / Redding CA.

[railnerd]

Mt. Washington Cog Railway

[learmoia]

Everyone seems to be focusing on Bridges and Tunnels..

I thought Nebraska (Gibbon-North Platte) was pretty impressive..

~Ian

[eric220]

Another vote for horseshoe, of course.

Another one that hasn't been nominated is the Western Pacific Feather River Route up the western slope of the Sierras, including the Keddie Wye. It's a constant one percent grade through some impressive mountainous terrain. I've heard engineers say that they could just set the power and sit back.