Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Maidenhead Railway Bridge -- such a handsome construction. I distinctly recall attempting to ride a bicycle under it back in 2008, but was stopped in my tracks by the sight of it. I was a recent arrival to the UK so didn't know who Brunel was. I saw his name for the first time on that bridge's plaque. Fan ever since.

(The story goes the bridge was opened but its extreme flatness disturbed the locals, whom forced him to put the wooden supporting arches used during construction back under it, fearing it would surely collapse. He did so and the supports remained there for some time. It wasn't until he was he was allowed to take them down again that he revealed that they were put back without touching the bridge; it had been freestanding since being opened. What a champion!)



Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: