POSTCARD N.60 - USA

Postcrossing postcard sent on the 3rd January; received on the 20th January
Postcard image: Springtime at the Cog Railway Climbing the tracks of Mount Washigton, White Mountains, New Hampshire
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Justin, a train lover, has sent me this beautiful postcard  of the The Mount Washington Cog Railway. Thanks you so much Justin.

This was the world’s first railway to use a system of rack and pinion, with the rack installed between the two rails of the track, so as to be able to conquer  steep ascents, in this case the journey to the top of Mount Washington in New Hapshire.

The 3 miles long track evolves over an average  grade of over 25%, with a maximum of 37%., the locomotive pushing a passenger car up the hill and pulling it on the way down.

Its construction, the brainchild of Sylvester March, started in 1866 and was completed in 1869.

The still functioning narrow gauge railway, was originally served by steam locomotives, but the carriages are now also pulled by diesel engines. 

Stamps, left to right:

Forever self-adhesive tamp, part of a 6 stamp set issued on 20APR2017, labeled "Delicioso - Foods from South of the Border" showcasing  delicacies of Central and South american influence like Tamales; Flan; Sancocho; Empanadas; Chile Relleno; Ceviche.

Forever Self-adhesive stamp, part of a two se-tenant Forever stamp set dedicated to Battles of the Civil War. This particular stamp is dedicated to the battle of Gettysburg of July 1-3, 1863, in which General George Mead defeated Confederate General Robert. E. Lee, although to an terrible price in terms of casualties on both sides, making it the civil war battle with the large number of casualties. The remaining stamp of the set remembers the battle of Vicksburg April 16 - July 4, 1863, on which General Ulysses S. Grant laid siege to the city of Vicksburg defended by the confederate forces of Lieutenant-General John C. Pemberton.

Forever self-adhesive stamp issued on 01SEP2017, honouring Father Theodore Hesburg (1917-2015) a social activist and public servant who was the President of the University of Notre-Dame, a private Catholic research University, in the State of Indiana,  between 1952-1987. Reverend Teo Habsburg was also the holder of the world record for honorary degrees, with more than 150 to his count.

 

The machine applied cancelation tells us that the postcard was sent through the post office of the city of  Manchester, New Hampshire