Wonderful Bus Stops

Most Expensive Top 10 Historical Accidents

2011-08-18T21:08:00.000-07:00

Most Expensive Top 10 Historical Accidents

Men have always been prone to Accidents throughout History. Some, such as the Exotic Car Crashes seen on this page, can be very Expensive.

Deliberate Actions such as War and Terrorism and Natural Disasters do not qualify as Accidents and therefore, are not included in this List.

Our Aim is to List the "Most Expensive Top 10 Historical Accidents" of the World as measured in Dollars. Many of these Accidents involve casualties which obviously cannot be measured in Dollar terms.

Each Life Lost is Priceless and is not factored into the Equation.

This includes Property Damage and Expenses incurred related to the Accident such as Clean-up and Industry Losses.

10. Titanic - $ 150 Million

The sinking of the Titanic is possibly the most famous accident in the world. But it barely makes our list of top 10 most expensive. On April 15, 1912, the Titanic sank on its maiden voyage and was considered to be the most luxurious ocean liner ever built. Over 1,500 people lost their lives when the ship ran into an iceberg and sunk in frigid waters. The ship cost $7 million to build ($150 million in today's dollars).

9. Tanker Truck vs Bridge - $358 Million

On August 26, 2004, a car collided with a tanker truck containing 32,000 liters of fuel on the Wiehltal Bridge in Germany. The tanker crashed through the guardrail and fell 90 feet off the A4 Autobahn resulting in a huge explosion and fire which destroyed the load-bearing ability of the bridge. Temporary repairs cost $40 million and the cost to replace the bridge is estimated at $318 Million.

8. MetroLink Crash - $500 Million

On September 12, 2008, in what was one of the worst train crashes in California history, 25 people were killed when a Metrolink commuter train crashed head-on into a Union Pacific freight train in Los Angeles. It is thought that the Metrolink train may have run through a red signal while the conductor was busy text messaging. Wrongful death lawsuits are expected to cause $500 million in losses for Metrolink.

7. B-2 Bomber Crash - $1.4 Billion

Here we have our first billion dollar accident (and we're only #7 on the list). This B-2 stealth bomber crashed shortly after taking off from an air base in Guam on February 23, 2008. Investigators blamed distorted data in the flight control computers caused by moisture in the system. This resulted in the aircraft making a sudden nose-up move which made the B-2 stall and crash. This was 1 of only 21 ever built and was the most expensive aviation accident in history. Both pilots were able to eject to safety.

6. Exxon Valdez - $2.5 Billion

The Exxon Valdez oil spill was not a large one in relation to the world's biggest oil spills, but it was a costly one due to the remote location of Prince William Sound (accessible only by helicopter and boat). On March 24, 1989, 10.8 million gallons of oil was spilled when the ship's master, Joseph Hazelwood, left the controls and the ship crashed into a Reef. The cleanup cost Exxon $2.5 billion.

5. Piper Alpha Oil Rig - $3.4 Billion

The world's worst off-shore oil disaster. At one time, it was the world's single largest oil producer, spewing out 317,000 barrels of oil per day. On July 6, 1988, as part of routine maintenance, technicians removed and checked safety valves which were essential in preventing dangerous build-up of liquid gas. There were 100 identical safety valves which were checked. Unfortunately, the technicians made a mistake and forgot to replace one of them. At 10 PM that same night, a technician pressed a start button for the liquid gas pumps and the world's most expensive oil rig accident was set in motion.

Within 2 hours, the 300 foot platform was engulfed in flames. It eventually collapsed, killing 167 workers and resulting in $3.4 Billion in damages.

4. Challenger Explosion - $5.5 Billion

The Space Shuttle Challenger was destroyed 73 seconds after takeoff due on January 28, 1986 due to a faulty O-ring. It failed to seal one of the joints, allowing pressurized gas to reach the outside. This in turn caused the external tank to dump its payload of liquid hydrogen causing a massive explosion. The cost of replacing the Space Shuttle was $2 billion in 1986 ($4.5 billion in today's dollars). The cost of investigation, problem correction, and replacement of lost equipment cost $450 million from 1986-1987 ($1 Billion in today's dollars).

3. Prestige Oil Spill - $12 Billion

On November 13, 2002, the Prestige oil tanker was carrying 77,000 tons of heavy fuel oil when one of its twelve tanks burst during a storm off Galicia, Spain. Fearing that the ship would sink, the captain called for help from Spanish rescue workers, expecting them to take the ship into harbour. However, pressure from local authorities forced the captain to steer the ship away from the coast. The captain tried to get help from the French and Portuguese authorities, but they too ordered the ship away from their shores. The storm eventually took its toll on the ship resulting in the tanker splitting in half and releasing 20 million gallons oil into the sea.

According to a report by the Pontevedra Economist Board, the total cleanup cost $12 billion.

2. Space Shuttle Columbia - $13 Billion

The Space Shuttle Columbia was the first space worthy shuttle in NASA's orbital fleet. It was destroyed during re-entry over Texas on February 1, 2003 after a hole was punctured in one of the wings during launch 16 days earlier. The original cost of the shuttle was $2 Billion in 1978. That comes out to $6.3 Billion in today's dollars. $500 million was spent on the investigation, making it the costliest aircraft accident investigation in history. The search and recovery of debris cost $300 million.

In the end, the total cost of the accident (not including replacement of the shuttle) came out to $13 Billion according to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

1. Chernobyl - $200 Million

On April 26, 1986, the world witnessed the costliest accident in history. The Chernobyl disaster has been called the biggest socio-economic catastrophe in peacetime history. 50% of the area of Ukraine is in some way contaminated. Over 200,000 people had to be evacuated and resettled while 1.7 million people were directly affected by the disaster. The death toll attributed to Chernobyl, including people who died from cancer years later, is estimated at 125,000. The total costs including cleanup, resettlement, and compensation to victims has been estimated to be roughly $200 Billion. The cost of a new steel shelter for the Chernobyl nuclear plant will cost $2 billion alone. The accident was officially attributed to power plant operators who violated plant procedures and were ignorant of the safety requirements needed.

Most Amazing 18 Bridges of the World

2011-08-11T04:39:00.000-07:00

Most Amazing 18 Bridges of the World

Technological Boom of the last century came a Huge Increase in Construction Capability. Therefore, once completely uncrossable Rivers, Seas or Valleys were finally Overcome by the Advent of Numerous New and Spectacular Bridges.

To Honor these Incredible Engineering Achievements, here are 18 Most Amazing Bridges of the World.

It includes the Very Old, the Very New, the Very-Nearly-Finished, the Very Long and of course the Ones which just Look Very-Very Cool.

1. MILLAU BRIDGE, TARN VALLEY

Towering 1,125ft above the Tarn Valley in southern France, driving along the Millau Bridge, the largest cable-stayed vehicular bridge in the world, is said to feel like flying. This Foster + Partners marvel is slightly taller than the Eiffel Tower, took three years to build and opened to the public in 2004. While it may provide picturesque views of the valley below, once the mist descends it is not a route for the faint hearted! The Millau Bridge has a total length of 8,071ft with the longest single span at 1,122ft and a maximum clearance below of 886ft; in short the bridge is massively impressive both on paper and in real life. The deck is lofted on 7 pylons and weighs 36,000 tonnes. A series of 7 masts, each 292ft tall and weighing 700 tonnes, are attached to the corresponding pylons.

2. FEHMARN BELT BRIDGE, BALTIC SEA

When completed in 2018 the Fehmarn Belt Bridge will stretch 11.8 miles and connect the German island of Fehmarn with the Danish island of Lolland at an estimated cost of $2.2 billion. Initial plans show the bridge will be constructed with 3 cable-stayed spans each approximately 2,375ft long and supported by four 918ft tall pillars giving 213ft of vertical clearance beneath. The proposed bridge has been controversial with opposition from businesses and conservationists who fear it may damage local wildlife.

3. GATESHEAD MILLENNIUM BRIDGE, GATESHEAD

The award winning $44 million Gateshead Millennium Bridge is the first and only tilting bridge in the world. Hydraulic rams at each end of the bridge allow it to tilt so small ships may pass through, and it is this innovative technology which won its designers the prestigious Stirling Prize for architecture in 2002. Thanks to the 19,000 tonnes of concrete poured into 98ft deep foundations and enough steel to build 64 double decker buses, the bridge can withstand a collision with a 4,000 tonne ship moving at 4 knots.

4. BERING STRAITS BRIDGE, BERING STRAITS

The proposed Bering Straits bridge will hopefully act as a transcontinental link by land, connecting Asia, Africa and Europe with North and South America. Possible locations for the bridge have been suggested, with Cape Dezhnev, Chukotka, and Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska looking the most likely sources. Some suggestions have called for a series of three bridges spanning over 50 miles in total, although the tough Arctic conditions which make the area so notorious will almost definitely hinder construction and maintenance.

5. ERASMUSBRUG, ROTTERDAM

Nicknamed ‘The Swan’ due to the shape of the pylon supporting it, the Erasmusbrug was completed in 1996 and acts as a link between the north and south of the city of Rotterdam. To allow ships to pass, the southern span boasts a 292ft long bascule bridge, the largest and heaviest if its kind in Europe. Popular for its aesthetic appeal, the bridge featured in the 2005 film ‘Who Am I?’ in which Red Bull Air Race planes flew underneath! Construction of the 2,650ft long, 6,800 tonne Erasmusbrug cost $110 million and was completed in 1996. Soon after opening to road traffic it was discovered that the bridge would sway under high wind and had to be retrofitted with dampeners.

6. STARI MOST, MOSTAR

Commissioned originally by Suleman the Magnificent in 1557, Stari Most connects the two parts of the city of Mostar in Bosnia-Herzegovina, crossing the River Neretva. In 1993, during the Bosnian War, the bridge was destroyed by the Croatian Council of Defence, however its reconstruction was completed in 2004 and the bridge still stands proud today.

Popular with locals and tourists alike as a platform to dive from, the bridge is 24m above the river below, 4m wide and 30m long. It is supported by two limestone abutments which connect to wing walls along the water cliffs, each erected to a height of 6.53m. The unusual hump shape of the bridge is claimed to be caused by buckles in the inner arch, allowing for its unique and photogenic appearance.

7. PONTE VECCHIO, FLORENCE

The Ponte Vecchio in Florence is one of the most famous tourist spots in Italy, and is thought to be the oldest wholly-stone built, segmental arch bridge in Europe, although there are many partial segments which date further back. It was originally built of wood until destroyed by floods in 1333, and twelve years later it was rebuilt using stone. Famous for its lining of shops, the bridge has housed everybody from Medieval merchants and butchers to souvenir stalls and art dealers.

8. RIALTO , VENICE

Despite the cries of critics saying the bridge was top-heavy, ungraceful and ugly, the Ponte di Rialto (Rialto bridge) has overcome its questionable history to achieve iconic status in a city well known for incredible sights. For centuries, the Rialto Bridge in Venice was the only of its kind to cross the Grand Canal, thus cementing its place as a defining structure during the rise of the city to a world power. Nowadays it stands alongside St. Mark's square as a top Venice attraction, ferrying most every tourist in the city across its stony backside.

The history of the Rialto Bridge began in 1181, when it was merely a series of floating pontoons. Located on the eastern bank of the canal, the Rialto market was one of the main centers for trade in the city, and eventually the number of footsteps across the pontoons wore it down. A wooden bridge dutifully replaced it in 1250. This was only the beginning of the bridge's tenuous history, however, as the Ponte di Rialto burned during a revolution in 1310, before collapsing twice, once in 1444, and again in 1524. Finally, the city decided to rebuild the bridge with stone, finishing in 1591. Even then, one of the leading architects of Venice predicted it was only a matter of time before the stones of the newly constructed Ponte di Rialto crumbled into the Grand Canal. He likened this top Venice attraction to an accident waiting to happen

9. GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE, SAN FRANCISCO

Completed in 1937 as the then longest suspension bridge in the world at a total length of 8,921ft, the Golden Gate Bridge is perhaps the most famous bridge in the world. Situated in San Francisco, the bridge was an enormous construction achievement at the time. It broke safety records as ‘only’ eleven construction workers were killed during construction, 19 others saved by the innovative safety net placed beneath. Photographed by thousands of tourists each year, the distinctive red paint coat is actually officially ‘international orange’, and was originally chosen to enhance visibility during the foggy conditions that are synonymous with the Bay area. The Golden Gate Bridge was brought in $1.3 million under budget at a cost of $27 million, carries 100,000 vehicles on an average day and requires 38 full-time painters for maintenance. 26 people are known to have survived the 4 second, 220ft fall at 75 mph into the strait below.

10. TOWER BRIDGE, LONDON

Completed in 1894 and designed by Horace Jones and Wolfe Barry, Tower Bridge (so named after the two, striking, 141ft high towers) is one of the most famous landmarks in London. The 800ft long bridge has a 28ft clearance when closed but raises in the centre to a maximum clearance of 140ft that allows ships to pass down the Thames. Back in the days when goods were moved by sea instead of air the bridge was raised around 50 times daily. Tower Bridge took 432 workers 8 years to build. During that time they sank 70,000 tonnes of concrete into 2 huge piers, lowered 2 counterbalanced bascules into place each weighing 1,000 tonnes and then clad the whole bridge in Portland stone and Cornish granite to disguise the 11,000 tonnes of steel beneath.

11. ORESUND BRIDGE, ORESUND STRAIT

At over 25,000ft long in total and 669ft tall the cable-stayed Oresund was opened in 2000 to connect Denmark and Sweden. The entire bridge weighs in at 82,000 tonnes, has one of the longest cable-stayed spans in the world at 1,608ft and carries 60,000 travellers by car, bus and train per day. Driving from Denmark you first pass through the man made island of Peberholm, disappearing into 13,287ft of undersea tunnel which takes you onto the Oresund Bridge proper before completing the journey into Sweden. Crossing the Oresund Bridge doesn’t come cheap (~$53, single, car) even though there are steep discounts for frequent travellers, which isn’t surprising considering it cost $3.8 billion.

12. RIO ANTIRIO BRIDGE, GREECE

If ever a construction deserved recognition for the sheer difficulty of the task, the Rio Antirio bridge in Greece must be it. It is impressive in itself that is boasts the second longest cable-stayed deck in the world at 2.252m, beaten only by the Millau viaduct in France, but such an achievement is only enhanced by the conditions placed on the construction. The piers which support the bridge could not be buried in the 65m deep seabed, made up of mostly loose sediment, thus a painstakingly levelled bed of gravel was laid under water to provide something for them to rest on. The risk of seismic activity and tectonic plate movement also had to be taken into account, with the piers able to move laterally underwater in the event of an earthquake allowing the gravel beds to absorb the vast majority of the shock.

The parts of the bridge itself are connected using jacks and dampers, allowing for movement of the parts during an earthquake without seriously damaging the bridge structure itself. Opened just in time for the Athens Olympics in 2004, the bridge is perhaps one of the most spectacular of its kind as far as engineering is concerned in the world.

13. SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE, SYDNEY

Having celebrated its 75th birthday in 2007, the Sydney Harbour Bridge remains the widest long-span bridge in the world at a total length of 3,770ft, carrying rail, pedestrian and vehicular traffic across the harbour. Nicknamed ‘the coat hanger’ due to its arched shape, the bridge is often photographed with the nearby opera house, the pair acting as one of the most iconic images for the city and Australia itself. The longest span measures 1,650ft with the highest point on the arch 429ft above sea level. 800 homes in the area had to be demolished to make way for the bridge, which took 1,400 workers 8 years to build at a cost of about $12 million. Surprisingly (because it wasn’t massively expensive), the bridge was finally paid off in 1998!

14. HONG KONG - ZHUHAI - MACAO BRIDGE, SE ASIA

The Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macao Bridge is still at proposal stage, but if it does get a green light the 18 mile dual 3-lane carriageway bridge will reduce road travel times between Hong Kong and Macau from 4.5 hours currently to 40 minutes. It will include the construction of 2 man-made islands connected by an undersea tunnel to facilitate the safe passage of shipping.

15. SAN DIEGO-CORONADO BRIDGE, SAN DIEGO

Construction of the vehicle-only San Diego-Coronado Bridge finished in 1969 at a cost of $47.6 million, featuring a 90 degree curve during it’s 11,288ft length. It was built at a maximum height of 200ft to allow vessels to travel underneath; in fact it is tall enough to allow an empty aircraft carrier to pass. It has the unfortunate title of the third most popular suicide bridge in the USA with more than 200 recorded suicides between 1972 and 2000, behind the Golden Gate in San Francisco and the Aurora bridge in Seattle. It costs $1 nothing to use the bridge, which raised $8 million in revenue per annum when the (now defunct) toll booths were in operation. Oddly enough, a man who survived the 200 foot drop into San Diego Bay after he jumped holding a captured Belgian Malinois police dog (that was presumably chasing him) is now being held in lieu of $1 million bail and pleading not guilty to harming the animal!

16. PUENTE DEL ALAMILLO, SEVILLE

Easiest translated into English as ‘The Alamillo Bridge’, Puente del Alamillo crosses the Canal de Alfonso XIII in Seville, and was built to provide access to La Cartuja island, the site of the World’s Fair in 1992. Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the bridge is noted for its striking design, a huge pylon which, with the aid of 13 connecting cables, counterbalances the 200m main bridge span.

The bridge is renowned for looking particularly spectacular at night time when lit up, and is supposed to represent the ësoaring aspirations’ of the city itself. Originally, the bridge was designed as half of a pair, the symmetrical reproduction of the current construction to go at the other end of the island. However, designers decided the current one pylon construction was more spectacular aesthetically, and the sister bridge was abandoned.

17. MAGDEBURG WATER BRIDGE, MAGDEBURG

One of the most distinctively designed bridge on the list, the Magdeburg Water Bridge is exactly what its name suggests; a bridge made over water. It was built to connect the Elbe-Havel Canal and the Mittellandkanal, allowing cargo to travel between Berlin and the ports along the River Rhine without a tedious 7.5 mile detour. It does in fact actually cross the River Elbe! It took 6 years, $733 million, 68,000 cubic meters of concrete and 24,000 tonnes of structural steel to construct the 3,010ft long bridge.

18. The very old ARTA'S BRIDGE , GREECE

Weird Railway Stations of The World

2011-07-07T05:42:00.000-07:00

Weird Railway Stations of The World

Sometimes We Prefer to Hire A Car instead of Traveling by A Train.
As Some Railway Stations Leave Us with Serious Doubts About Our Well Being and Safety. Some of These Railway Stations wouldn’t Look out of Place in Our Worst Nightmares.
Some Stations of course Are Just Merely Weird Looking or Even Just A Little Over Designed or Simply Trying Too Hard to be Something They Are Not.
Here Are Some of The Weirdest Railway Stations Discovered That Exist Around The World.

1. Brockenheimer Warte, Frankfurt

You need a sense of humour to travel from this station, anyone who has panic attacks about trains derailing, shouldn’t visit this station! It’s like something out of a Harry Potter movie isn’t it?! Very upside down looking and isn’t exactly inviting.

2. Michigan Central Station, Detroit

Built in 1913, Michigan Central Station is an iconic building in many ways, especially to the people of Detroit, but this behemoth is under orders to be demolished very soon. It seems such a shame but then it’s probably to huge to renovate which means this this monster has just been left to rot.
The weirdness comes from why did anyone build a Train station on such a scale? I know they liked to be grand back in the day but this is a bit extreme. It is supposedly the tallest station in the world, this alone should make it worth while saving from its soon to be awful fate. Oh and it’s apparently haunted too! TAPS (Ghost Hunters) investigated this place.

3. Nordpark Railway Stations, Innsbruck, Austria

Nordpark is made up of four stations, all of which are individually designed to meet the needs of each site but they are all along the same sorts of lines in terms of looks and design. This is a state of the art cable railway that perfectly compliments it’s surroundings but in a futuristic way. Designed by Zaha Hadid, this cable railway takes you from the centre of Innsbruck to the top of the Mountain in less than half an hour.

4. Saint Louis Union Station, Missouri

Built in 1894, this was once the largest and busiest train station in the World. It was converted in the early 1980’s into a luxury Hotel, which I think suits it’s beautiful architecture much better than a train station ever could. I mean who in their right mind would design something so gorgeous then use it as a train station – How weird?

5. Columbus,Ohio

This station was built in 1895 by Toledo and Ohio Central, but closed in 1930 after passengers were moved to Columbus Union Station. Ohio Firefighters Union now use the restored building as their headquarters. This Wacky building resembles a mish mash of different architecture, from something windmill looking, slightly Chinese in places but then crossed with an American Penitentiary. It’s bizzare looking but beautiful at the same time.

6. Estacion de Atocha, Madrid

This station was rebuilt in 1892 after a fire by designer Alberto de Palacio Elissagne and Gustave Eiffel, famous for designing the Eiffel Tower. In 1992 an interior Jungle was planted, to boost the commuters experience and to enhance the views around the station, with over 500 species of plants and animals in habitation. Maybe not so weird in architecture, but really weird having a zoo in a Train Station, surely plants, animals and trains don’t mix very well?

7. T-Centralen Station, Stockholm

All the lines on the Metro meet in Stockholm making it the busiest stop on the system with over 220 passengers visiting it everyday. It is also know as the longest Art Gallery in the World, featuring beautifully painted Murals. The Station also uses the city’s rocky core, rather than adding man made materials as walls.

8. Expo Station, Singapore

Designed by Norman Forster and completed in 2000, this UFO shaped station was built to serve the Expo Centre in Singapore. It’s a bit weird looking, but was built with the elements in mind. The UFO disc shaped roof was built to reflect the suns rays and to keep the interior cool for passengers but then it also reflects the people from inside the station onto the underside of the disc, animating them to entertain the spectators walking past. Quite cool indeed!

9. Shanghai Bund Sightseeing Tunnel, China

This is probably the shortest and the most bizarre train journey ever. Like a psychedelic acid trip to the senses with it fluorescent lights and strange patterns. The tunnel itself is only 647 metres long and runs under the Huangpu River. I imagine this would be fascinating for the first five minutes of your journey and then sickness and dizzy spells might kick in!

Wonderful Bus Stops

2011-06-13T03:48:00.000-07:00

Wonderful Bus Stops

Can You Imagine

These Are The

Bus Stops or Bus Queue Shelters

Yes These Are The Beautiful

Amazing And Wonderful

Bus Stops And Bus Queue Shelters

Around The World

Just Appreciate Them

And Wish For The Same

In Your Country

At Your City

Maangte Rahna Duya

Hoga Kis Waqt Asar

Ye To Allah Ko Khabar

Ye To Maula Ko Khabar

But.. Be Careful..

don's wish for this

no doubt.. its our Great India

Different Toilets Around The World

2011-06-13T03:39:00.000-07:00

Different Toilets Around The World

Strange, Awesome and Funny

Some Attractive,,

Some Beautiful..

Some Awesome..

Some Classic..

Some Unusual..

Some Royal..

Some Rich..

Some Different..

Some Masterpiece..

Some Funny..

Some Wonderful..

Some Traditional..

Some General..

Some Indian..

Some Rural..

Some Amazing..

Most Amazing 15 Town Names

2011-06-12T04:09:00.000-07:00

Most Amazing 15 Town Names

These Are The Most Amazing, Funny and Sexy Town Names

1 Penistone (UK)

2 Middelfart (Denmark)

3 Dildo (Newfoundland, Canada)

4 Fucking (Austria)

5 Crotch Crescent (UK)

6 Crapstone (UK)

7 Intercourse (Pennsylvania, USA)

8 Boring (Oregon, USA)

9 Accident (Maryland, USA)

10 Wetwang (UK)

11 Hell (Michigan, USA)

12 Hooker (Oklahoma, USA)

13 Embarrass (Minnesota, USA)

14 Bird -n-Hand (Pennsylvania, USA)

15 Titty Ho (UK)

Creative Unusual Mirrors

2011-06-12T04:00:00.000-07:00

Creative Unusual Mirrors

Man is Creative by Nature. He Tries His Creativeness Everywhere. Sometimes it Makes Something Humorous, Amazing, Funny but Awesome.
Here is a Collection of Some Unusual Modern Mirrors and also Creative Mirror Designs that will Look Great on your Wall

1 - Razorblade Mirror

2- Clipboard Mirror

3 - Polaroid Mirror

4 - Pirate Self Portrait Mirror

5 - Touch Screen Mp3 Mirror

6 - LED Mirror

7 - Police Mug Shot Mirror

8 - London Underground Mirror

9 - How Tall Are You Mirror