I seriously doubt that railroad spikes were used. This is a railroad spike:
Is that really what they used?
A few things from the post above:
Just how do you know the columns were overloaded? Note that it wasn't the columns that failed.
What is the proper spacing of the columns? Again, note that it wasn't the columns that failed.
I have yet to see an elevated deck w/ cross bracing on the columns. Again, note that the columns did not fail and still appear to be in place. I've seen a lot of houses in earthquake territory built on stilts w/ no lateral cross bracing. Hell I've seen freeway overpasses and entire piers with no lateral cross bracing. If the columns are properly fixed to the ground (concrete, or pier blocks) the bracing is unnecessary.
The lack of railing did not cause the deck to fail.
A "proper joist hanger" is unnecessary. People used butt joints for a very long time before joist hangers were invented.