CPRR Discussion Group

Friday, June 12, 2009

California Iron/Wooden Artifact and Info on Stone Ovens

From: "GATES, William R, VBABOIS" william.gates1@va.gov

Request for information/assistance on Wooden Artifact from Union Pacific Railroad Line, located near Las Vegas Nevada. I saw some information on one of the related links to your Iron Site information. I read some information in reference to "Fence Line Wooden Line Posts (RR Boundary, or Survey markers)".

I have a wooden post which is square approximately 1 1/2 inches on all sides, approximately 14 to 18 inches long, with the word "UNION" all in caps on one side, the letters have been scoured deep into the wood, the other half "PACIFIC" is missing assuming that Pacific was there?? There are small holes in the top and bottom which secures a wire. I was intrigued by the notion or possibility that these may be original Redwood items from the turn of the century i.e. survey markers, or some sort of boundry marker. I did find it along a old UP Railroad siding. Have you or anybody else ever seen something like this?? I can try to get you a few pictures, it is quite interesting.

I am also quite interested in early railroad history, I have walked miles of UP right of way in southern Nevada, found some of the old construction camps and the like.

Also as a matter of interest to you and other members of the CPRR.ORG group, on the subject of the Stone Ovens previously thought to be a RR Worker's Hut. I got a copy of Patricia Weggers document about this subject. I have found 3 to 4 locations in Nevada, near Las Vegas, all pretty much, intact. I can try to get you a photo of the best one I found, for you or any interested readers. Hope to talk with you soon, tell me what you think about the "Union" embossed wooden stake??

—William R. Gates, Nampa, Idaho

SP Commute Car Gates

From: KyleKWyatt@gmail.com

Attached is the patent for the wire gates used on the CP/SP commute cars in the East Bay. Thought it might interest you. It was initially used on the wooden open platform steam-pulled cars, and later adapted to the electrics.

—Kyle

Car, Commuter, Safety Gate - Brown 1889 403,176 - Sacramento

SF Newsletter Golden Spike to Dodge

From: KyleKWyatt@gmail.com

Attached is an article from the Sacramento Bee in May 1869. It may be from the 10th, or perhaps a day or two after. (I received the photocopy from a source who copied Bee articles from May 5, 8, 10, 11, and 12 - but unfortunately didn't mark this particular one.) This is the first contemporary article I know of that claims that dodge received the 2nd (SF Newsletter) golden spike, and not Durant as I had supposed (but also had no evidence of).

I'm also looking for more complete copy of the May 10 Bee article about the festivities in Sacramento and the speech of Charles Crocker. Attached is what I have. I attach a May 8 article describing the celebration and parade, including loco Gov Stanford in front of the depot. Finally, a May 5 article describing the plans for the parade (unfortunately with the middle section missing).

—Kyle Wyatt

Sac Bee May 10, 1869 perhaps - Promontory Ceremonies concluded, Dodge gets golden spike
Sac Bee May 10, 1869 - Sacramento Celebration May 8
Sac Bee May 8, 1869 - Sacramento Pacific RR Celebration - loco Gov Stanford
Sac Bee May 5, 1869 - Sacramento Celebration Program - partial

Eagle Scout Project - restoration of a Railway Express Baggage Cart

From: "Suchernick Michael" HMSPhasmid@optonline.net

I am a Boy Scout in Troop 156, Howell NJ. I am working on my Eagle Scout Project which is the restoration of a Railway Express Baggage Cart. The cart that I am restoring belongs to the New Jersey Museum of Transportation, Pine Creek Railroad. All that is left of the cart presently are rusted rusted wheel assemblies and side straps – no wood exists at all. Can you help me in locating blueprints for REA Baggage carts and possibly proper paint information? ...

—Michael Suchernick, Life Scout, Troop 156, Howell, NJ