Synopsis
In this article, based on the 2022 James Sutherland History Lecture delivered online to the Institution of Structural Engineers, Pedro Guedes explores the role of British, European and US engineers in developing the railway networks that spread across South America in the 19th century. In particular, the article focuses on some of the striking bridges required on these railways, often constructed in Britain before being shipped across the Atlantic for erection. Pedro notes how these railway enterprises created an informal empire for the countries financing, designing and supplying the materials for their construction.