Thursday, February 27, 2014

Finishing the project

From: "NewCastle, Alta Cal'a" caliron@att.net

A few years ago I was involved with the production of a video entitled The Hidden Wonder of the World, the Transcontinental Railroad. That video dealt strictly with the old grade between Sacramento City and Tunnel 6 at Donner Summit.

That video has been broadcast over Public TV in Sacramento, Cal. many times, and they continue to broadcast it. You can see it on your computer by going to KVIE, then scrolling to VIEW FINDER, then clicking on The Hidden Wonder of the World, the Transcontinental Railroad. The video on KVIE runs 26 minutes, 46 seconds.

I will be 73 this year, and feel the need to finish the work begun with the video mentioned above.

To that end, Bill George, the Producer and I have agreed to run the work to Promontory Summit ...

The final video will run about 53 minutes, this to accomplish the one hour time frame that Public TV needs to fill a one hour program. ...

Our question, then, would anyone in the CPRR Discussion group have an interest in this project? ...

Your thoughts are welcomed.

G J Chris Graves, Chairman,
Committee for the protection of "What is Truth" in Railroad History
tel. 916.663.3742

6 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

G.J. "Chris" Graves has done one American Experience, two History Channel programs, one Bill Moyers Special, and has walked and driven the old grade from Sacramento City to Promontory more times than he can count.

2/27/2014 4:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

See KVIE memo.

3/15/2014 11:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

From: caliron@att.net

I've put some thought into the proposed trip over the old grade, and suggest the following for filming:

1. Tunnel 6 again, explaining that the work was done by Chinese workers that worked 8 hours a day, 6 days a week. Each gang of workers consisted of 20 to 25 men, and if you were to do the math, something under 300 men worked this tunnel, end to end.

2. The iron monument at State Line, put into place by Col. Allexey W. Von Schmidt in the Fall of 1872. Unfortunately, his line ended up at Lake Tahoe nearly 1/3rd of a mile too far East, making a strip of what was Nevada into California.

3. The rock work East of Mustang

4. The remnants of bridge footings in the Truckee River at Wadsworth

5. Hot Springs at Brady's Hot Springs, showing the remnants of where the wagon trains stopped for water, up on the side of the hill

Unless someone else can think of a place of interest, we move quickly to Humboldt, where Meacham had his hotel. His daughter, Ida, married a Stobridge adoptee

Then stopping a few miles past Battle Mountain, where the old grade enters the Horseshoe Ranch
Then stopping East of Beowawe at the Maidens Grave, she was dug up and moved due to the CPRR grade going over her toes.

Stopping at Palisade, filming Carlin Canyon

Stopping at Carlin, filming the old town

Stopping East of Elko,at Ryndin, a nice piece of undisturbed grade is easily reached.

I would guess that by this time, we are in the late afternoon of the 2nd day.

Overnite at Wells.

Now comes the dirt. And the filming of double grades, etc.

Driving out 100 miles, filming, and then back to Wells. or Wendover

Day 4: drive out I80 to Oasis, then up the State Hiway to the Chinese tent frame. We must get up early that day, as we have a lot of ground to cover. All dirt roads,

Cross into Utah, and drive the old grade thru Water Cress, Lucin, Monument Point, Kelton, Gold Spike and into Ogden, for over nite.

Day 5: Back to Promontory

Day 6 Back to Promontory

Day 7 Back to Promontory

Day 8 Drive back to California.

This is not for the faint hearted. A rough and dirty trip.

3/15/2014 11:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

From: caliron@att.net

... When you see the 10 Miles in One day sign, recall that the rails were laid by eight Irishmen, under the direction of Horace Minkler.

3/15/2014 11:33 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

From: caliron@att.net
Subject: Filming trip

It appears that we will leave the 3rd week of June, 2014. The {KVIE memo} attachment tells the story ...

—Chris

3/15/2014 11:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If a limited number of "foamers" wish to come along, you'd be welcome. Call me at 916 663 3742 if you have such an interest.
chris

3/16/2014 8:25 AM  

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