The Cownestoga Wagon · 2:22am Mar 7th, 2016
A heavy all-terrain covered wagon, capable of carrying some 6 tons of cargo and passengers when pulled by a full team of four or more Earth Ponies, and generally requiring at least two to properly manage its considerable bulk, the Cownestoga Wagon was invented around YOH 1300-1340, and played an important role in the internal expansion of Equestria, particularly in the late 14th to early 15th centuries.
The Cownestoga Wagon gets its name from the site of its invention, Cownestoga (a town 60 miles west of Fillydelphia) in Castlelane County (so named because it was very heavily fortified during the Time of Thrones) in southeastern Pennswood Province. This was, from the 13th century on, Manennonite country, and became one of the homes of the Friends of Paradise. The inventor of the wagon, Maximilian ("Big Max") Wainwright, claimed to have been inspired in part by a dream vision from Paradise Itself, which included a full set of blueprints and an operator's manual with hints on handling characteristics and safe maximum loading. Few outside the Friends took this claim seriously, but they had to admit he built some darned fine wagons!
As can be seen, the fully-developed Cownestoga was no simple country wagon, but a sophisticated muscle-drawn vehicle including a fifth wheel to ease turning radius, iron tires to enable passage over uneven terrain with considerable loads without damaging its road wheels, and a sturdy framework enabling it to survive stresses that would have broken lesser wagons. Its framework was strong enough that it could be winched by it up and down vertical terrain obstacles, though of course it had to be first unloaded and the load winched up separately in such circumstances.
The height of the bed itself is determined by the height to which its crew can comfortably lift cargoes for rapid loading and unloading. The ability of the wagon to be loaded or unloaded without too much difficulty was important, as not only did it aid in helping set up camp for the night, but many of its all-terrain capabilities only worked if the Cownestoga was lightly-laden. Cownestogas were often used for long-distance caravans in very rough and poorly-roaded terrain, so this was vital.
The bows serve as support for the cover or "bonnet," which was generally made of heavy, more or less waterproof cloth, to enable its passengers to shelter in some comfort even during rainstorms. The bonnet was not load-bearing, but was instead shaped and treated to shed water or loads of snow which might fall on top and threaten to drench the occupants or collapse the structure. Sometimes, light loads might be hung from hooks attached to the side bows, for easy accessibility.
The main load is placed in the center of the vehicle, and many designs had a bowed bed (bent down at center, as shown in the photograph at the top of the page) so that if the load shifted it would shift toward the center rather than the end of the vehicle. (obviously, heavy loads were tied down, but ropes could break under stress). The driver would normally sit at the front, in the "jockey box," while passengers would either sit beside or right behind him, or in the back of the vehicle. Consequently, the bowed bed acted as a safety feature, as it made it less likely for the load to crush the occupants if the wagon was jarred. It also made it harder to lose cargo by having it fall off the wagon.
The boat-shaped hull, when caulked, was waterproof and would actually float if not laden too heavily, and thus could be paddled or poled in water. With a rope the vehicle might be used to ferry loads over deep streams. Thus, it was a semi-amphibious craft, though of course much clumsier in the water than on land, and requiring a skilled crew to manage safely under such circumstances. A Cownestoga would have to make several crossings to move its full land load of six tons across water, though on long journeys over rough terrain, it was generally not loaded that heavily (and if it was, cargo might be jettisoned enroute).
The Cownestoga was large enough to carry a family of six or more, and many of their possessions across North Amareica, though food and other resupplies would be necessary at various forts or depots along the trail, and this is exactly how it was used during the colonization of the Western Territories. When employed in this fashion, four or more of the family (generally the healthiest and strongest ones) would draw the wagon, and the others ride in the wagon itself. The driver might either sit in the jockey box or lead the team directly. Somepony would remain alert in the wagon as a lookout and to work the brakes if necessary, though many Cownestogas could be remotely braked from the team leader position. Sometimes two or more small families would combine to crew a single Cownestoga.
When entering dangerous territory, haunted by natives or bandits, Cownestogas would travel in caravans or "wagon trains." The sturdy wagons were tough enough to shed light arrows and even bolts, and a common practice when camping in such territory was to "circle the wagons," chaining them front to back in a wooden wall. This was a practice which dated back to the wagon laagers of the Hossite Wars in 11th-century Central Neighropa, long before the Cownestoga's development. The Ponies would then take shelter in the improvised fort they had thus created, defending themselves with crossbows and bows against their foes. This was often enough to discourage casual attackers, though it was of little use against an actual military assault (unlike the Hossites, they rarely had cannon in their wagons), nor did they travel in parties of thousands.
Cownestogas came into general use in Pennswood Province in the early 14th century, and by the mid 14th century began to be used across Equestria by migrant settlers (including the party of Apple Bloom the Elder and Dawnflower, who founded Ponyville in the YOH 1400). They reached their height in the great Industrial Revolution fuelled westward expansion and settlement of the interior in the 15th century.
However, by YOH 1450, the spread of steamboats and railroads was rendering them obsolete, and by YOH 1500, few are still in use (as they are big vehicles, expensive to buy, maintain and operate). In roaded areas, they have been displaced by higher-capacity, less terrain-capable lorries; in rustic areas, by lighter vehicles intended for shorter and safer trips rather than pioneering new territories. With the advent of motor vehicles and paved roads in the Second Age of Wonders, they fade away, becoming merely a part of history.
But a glorious part -- and one that will be long remembered, as Ponykind masters this planet, and looks outward toward the stars.
I was always under the impression that the ol' "circle the wagons" strategy was one of last resort?
3795049
Yes, but by its nature it helped when done as a precautionary measure, such as when making camp in dangerous territory. You might not have time to do it when actually being attacked.
The Hossite Wars? Maneonnites? I don't know if I should
or 
And Maneonnites, are they related to whatever Pinkie's family is? A lot of fans seem to see them as 'Pony Amish', with Pinkie Pie on a lifelong rumspringa.
This is some nice work and a lovely tribute to those long-gone wagons, though. I enjoyed reading it.
3795071
Yes, the Hussite Wars and the Mennonites were my inspiration. I think that the Friends of Paradise are somehow connected with the Manenonnites -- maybe Paradise invited the Manenonnites to emigrate to Equestria in the first place, even though the Friends have actually been in Equestria since shortly before Luna's Banishment.
Pinkie's family is definitely Amish-like.
I'm glad you liked it. I noticed that I mentioned "Cownestoga wagons" in Fools and Drunks, and thought I should define their lore a bit.
Conestoga to the stars? Read it when I was young, bought the series when I was older. See here:
TTA Voyager II and Conestoga II
Interesting, as usual. I do wonder what sort of vehicle the Ponies are to use in extraplanetary colonization in the Second Age of Wonders. Their reasons for colonization are likely to be different than those of Humans, where judging by our history the reason is likely to be "I don't want to live on this planet anymore."
3795204
In Heinlein's Future History, muscle-powered vehicles like the Conestoga were actually popular on colony worlds before industrialization, because they could breed their engines and feed them organic materials. Higher-tech covered wagon like vehicles, perhaps with fuel cells and auxiliary motors, might be common among Earth Ponies colonizing new planets.
Could a team of pegasi fly the wagon across short burst of rough terrain? We've seen in Feeling Pinky Keen that pegasi can carry very heavy loads in it wagon. Can they be enchanted by unicorn magic to make loads put in the lighter, i.e. gravity spells? If their is a unicorn who knows repair spells like Rarity, where less wheels and other spare parts taken?
3804436
Pegasi could probably do this, yes. It's a big heavy wagon -- much bigger and heavier than the small chariots we normally see Pegasi move, though I do remember one episode where they were pulling an aerial delivery van. My guess is that they would have trouble doing it for a long time, especially if the wagon was fully laden -- but then they'd only need to do it for a short time to ferry the wagon across a terrain obstacle.
3804449 Yeah that aerial delivery van was in the episode where Twilight was researching the pinky sense. That's why I thought Cherry Berry's helicopter was more of a curiosity cause with Pegasi being able to carry heavy loads airborne, fixed rotary crafts might not be as important to develop.
Still with gravity spells being a thing; i.e. Starlight's self levitating spell and Twilight's reversal spell, weight might not be a bit of issue. Then again it might be expense to get those enchanted on a wagon due to magic talents not being the most common.