Historic Hood River
What Exactly Was Their Job?
7-31-2017
Notes
Here is another view of the rail construction between Memaloose and Rowena, circa 1900. We know Earl Conser was part of an engineering team working on this project. I’m sure they worked hard, but all the photos either show them clowning around or someone else working hard. I’m pretty sure they didn’t move all this earth.
Kenn
Traces of the earlier grade to the left are still evident, a sharp curve and a trestle are both being eliminated. The tunnel still exists although replaced by the present large cut ~
L.E.
At first I thought maybe they were trying to hit a duck, but his arm is crooked sideways like he is skipping rocks. Maybe they are having a contest for the most skips.
Buzz
For skipping rocks you need stones as flat as possible-not shot rock- and be standing as close as possible to the same elevation as the water. I am always impressed with how much material they moved with the primitive machines they had to work with.
Arlen Sheldrake
I think they are fishing with explosives….well maybe just throwing rocks. that is a very interesting construction rail line…it looks to me like the purpose was for moving fill material to the project….not the "real" tracks. would love to see the loco that was moving the dump cars, one in the distance…..
agreed Buzz, that is NOT a good location or source for skipping rocks
L.E.
OK….So you guys don’t like my idea of skipping rocks.
What is he holding in his right hand, a sack? And what is he holding in his left hand, a bat?
It looks like two white buildings back there on the bluff.
Arthur
LE– you prompted me to check out those "white buildings." Turns out they are two large earth movers. They look like carts with very big wheels. I’ll put up a detail scan later tonight when I have some time.
Arthur
OK, here’s the detail of the earth moving equipment in the distance:
https://flic.kr/p/XiMvG8
L.E.
Those wheels are HUGE!!
Thanks Arthur. Amazing the interesting bits of history hidden within these photos.
You need to zoom in and see if you can find any skipping rocks.
Arthur
LE, I did zoom in to the "skipping rocks" but I decided not to share since I didn’t want to ruin your fun. Sorry, it’s just a chunk of rock which wouldn’t skip even once, and his throw is a baseball pitch, not a rock skip stance. And the "bag" he is carrying is actually an illusion caused by an object way behind him.
Kenn
This is temporary narrow guage track, normally 3′, for hauling in the fill rock. The normal 4′ 81/2" track will come later and is seen in the next photo ~