The record-union., 1896-08-23

spective boilers, and the air pipes for
the block system in the Oakland yards.
In the spring Of 1890 landslide on
the Oregon road at Tunnel No. 9 had
completely blocked traffic between
San Francisco and Portland. One
thousand shovelers and hundreds of
herculean efforts were made and no
apparent advantage gained, the heads
of the department decided to hydraulic
away the obstruction. The road run
ming close to the Sacramento River at
this point, a spur track was laid down
and five locomotives were coupled with
steam pipes to form q battery for
power. Carloads Of immense pumps
were hurried to the spot and all the
available pipemen in the Sacramento
shops were sent to aid those in charge.
After three or four days hard work
by those engaged, thirteen huge pumps
were to be seen throwing a stream of
water through a twelve-inch pipe with
a pressure of seventy pounds per inch
to the monitors, a quarter of mile
distant, thus washing away the debris
and stones which obstructed the track.
1t was brilliant piece of civil engi-
neering and demonstrated the useful
ness of water-power for that special
service.
Water and steam have a close COM
petitor as a medium of energy. Com
pressed air has gradually won favor
among mechanics, and is now utilized
where but a brief time past it was not
even thought Of Pipes are laid in many
departments, air compressors and stor-
age reservoirs are set up at convenient
stations, and by their aid the black
smith is enabled to blow his forge, the
upholsterer to clean his carpet, cars
and cushions; the painter can paint
his cars; the machinist run his motor
for drilling; the boiler maker cut stay
bolts and cork flues; the engine at
tendant sifts his sand, fills his boxes
and hoists his coal, and the trainman
tests the brakes without the necessity
Of an engine.
The water supply for the shops is
taken from the Sacramento River.
| Powerful duplex Dow pumps are sit
! Uated near the main engine-room,
nearly half a mile distant from the
river. Formerly well water was used,
but of recent years has been abandoned,
owing to its impurities.
| The furnishing and equipments of
pumps and boilers for the several water
stations during the construction of the
road fell to the lot of the pipe depart
ment, and in former times formed no
small part of their occupation. The
difficulties of obtaining suitable water
have of late been overcome. The i'm
mense cost and trouble is only known
! by the company which has borne the
expense. Wells were sunk to great
depths. In 1888 and 1884 at White
| Plains, New, the company bored a
! twelve-inch we'll 2,400 feet in depth in
a vain effort to obtain good water for
| their engines. AT depth of 1 800 feet
the workmen were astonished at cut
ting through a body of wood in good
state of preservation.
Steam power ana steam engineering
have reached a high state of prof.
cheney, but another Richard" enters
the field to dispute their sway Elec-
t1icity. Silent as life, swift as death,
mysterious as the infinite-quietly
steps into the field with it's long train
OF attendants, recording new history in
mechanical life and progress.
The names of the men employed in
the department follow:
r5 5i,1ar. Eororoay,