I always loved this quote about building track from the May 1928 CENTRAL PACIFIC BULLETIN: "...a squad of eight Irishmen and a small army of Chinese coolies made a record in track laying that has never been equalled. In one day, on April 28, 1869, ... laid ten miles and fifty-six feet of track in a little less than twelve hours…" I wonder what percentage of the population could just walk over 10 miles in 12 hours.
The Irish Mainline I can't wait to watch Part 2 of the series. On the ten plus miles: There was a $10,000 bet between the Vice President of the Union Pacific which was building from the east and the chief construction engineer of the Central Pacific which was building from the west that it couldn't be done.
This a really goo documentary, I wonder why RTÉ, or anyone for that matter, never make railway documentaries about the everyday running of the Irish system like BBC do about the UK.
@@TheIrishMainline Any researchers once they start digging find a huge amount of injustice and probably walk away.The railway was built during the years of the famine, huge injustives were occurring, food was being exported up the canals and exported, Dargan was known as hugely sympathetic to the downtrodden Irish, making sure to do what he could paying more than any other contractors of the times, keeping the works going through the famine years. Globally Ireland would have a greater reputation in Railway history were it not for the fact that it happened at a time of brutal British rule with the Irish being slaves and navvies in the land of their forefathers.
Fantastic stuff !
Glad you enjoyed it! Episode 2 tomorrow :)
The Irish Mainline
Sweet :)
I always loved this quote about building track from the May 1928 CENTRAL PACIFIC BULLETIN: "...a squad of eight Irishmen and a small army of Chinese coolies made a record in track laying that has never been equalled. In one day, on April 28, 1869, ... laid ten miles and fifty-six feet of track in a little less than twelve hours…"
I wonder what percentage of the population could just walk over 10 miles in 12 hours.
That's an amazing stat! You'd probably struggle to achieve that even with today's modern equipment.
The Irish Mainline I can't wait to watch Part 2 of the series.
On the ten plus miles: There was a $10,000 bet between the Vice President of the Union Pacific which was building from the east and the chief construction engineer of the Central Pacific which was building from the west that it couldn't be done.
Fascinating, I'm sure there's many similar stories from that time. Parts 2 & 3 are now up.
Nice one Danny !
Thanks Stephen!
This a really goo documentary, I wonder why RTÉ, or anyone for that matter, never make railway documentaries about the everyday running of the Irish system like BBC do about the UK.
It's all about demand I suppose, as much as we'd love it to happen it'd never draw the viewing figures required.
@@TheIrishMainline Any researchers once they start digging find a huge amount of injustice and probably walk away.The railway was built during the years of the famine, huge injustives were occurring, food was being exported up the canals and exported, Dargan was known as hugely sympathetic to the downtrodden Irish, making sure to do what he could paying more than any other contractors of the times, keeping the works going through the famine years. Globally Ireland would have a greater reputation in Railway history were it not for the fact that it happened at a time of brutal British rule with the Irish being slaves and navvies in the land of their forefathers.
anyone know where to get the song ironing the land by ronnie drew which is sang
at end
+Mark Finn I think this song was specially commissioned for the series and was never released unfortunately.
Is this the internet ted?