The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1901-1901, 1901-03-02
SOME HING ABOUT
RAILROAD WRECKS

Everyone is interested in the great
railroad wrecks, accounts of which
are daily chronicled in the newspa-
pers of the country but very few
know little if anything of the great
and mechanical genius which is
brought into action in the clearing
away of these wrecks and the restor-
ing of the engines and rolling stock
to their original condition when they
are damaged and put out of service
as the result of these disasters. The
public is interested in these matters
only momentarily and very seldom
does it's knowledge OF the affair eX-
tend further than an acquaintance
with the list of dead and injured, and
the delay Of the trains subsequent to
such wrecks.
OF the wreck trains and the work of
the wrecking crews but little is
known, and yet their work is Of so
great Importance that. an account of
their operations can not but prove in
teresting. AT most the division points
of the railroad systems where repair
shops are maintained. wrecking
trains are kept in readiness for in
stant use when a demand for their
services arises. Such train is kept
fully equipped at the shops IN this
city and is under the direct supervis,
ion of General Car Foreman Fred
w. Wright, says the Great Falls
Leader. Mr.. Wright has been in
the employ of the Montana Central
as foreman of the car shops since
Feb. q, 1898. He is a graduate of
Cambridge (EnglanH university, and
entered the railway service in 1882
in st. Paul as car foreman for the
Chicago. st. Paul, Minneapolis &
Omaha railroad, and the next year
took position with the st. Paul
Minneapolis 4 Manitoba railroad
now the Great Northern. In speaking
of the railroad wrecks along the
line of the Montana Central, Mr..
Wright stated the following to the
Leader:
when wreck occurs | am at
once informed of the matter with a
description of the character of the
wreck and am furnished with an en-
gine ana train crew to convey the
Wreck-train to the scene OF the acci-
dent. The wreck-train consists of a
steam derrick car, tool car, a car
of blocks, a protection car and car
of extra trucks. All possible speed is
made to the point of the wreck,
and our first object is to open the
main line and to clear away the wreck
SO that the track or bridge may be
made passable and traffic resumed
This work, of course, continues re,
gardless of night. day or meal hours
All rolling stock is saved from injury
after the track is cleared as nearly
as is possible, but it is an after con,
sideration and much property is sac
rificed in order to get the track
cleared. The picking up of the wreck
age is usually done during regular
working hours. The steam derrick
is used altogether in handling such
cars and tenders that are within
reach and makes quick and compare.
lively easy work.
with locomotives, whether turned
over or not. it is usual to put in
what is known as the dead man.
wide, and from 4 to 5 feet deep. In
this hole are buried heavy timbers to
which is attached heavy rope OF
CHdlH. IL IHe emu Ol tne rope Is at
tached an especially heavy triple
block and similar block is attached
to the steam dome of the wrecked
engine. Then there is strung
through these blocks as much as is
necessary of 2 IL inch manila
rope, 600 feet in length, and to this is
attached a live locomotive which
furnishes power for rolling or lifting
| the dead engine. Before turning
the dead engine, however, it is usua
to lay floor of track ties Upon thi.
floor We sometimes place rails ant
drop the wheels upon them as thu
engine is turned over. Then whel
the engine is in a perpendicular con
ditiOn with all wheels upon the rail-
it becomes necessary to do SOM
grading in accordance with the leve
where the engine may be and tn
main line. Then a track is lai,
and the engine is pulled up by mean
of the tackle used in pulling it int
position on the temporary track
The big engine No. 500 which wa
turned over near Basin recently wa
taken up a grade of IS per cent al
ter being righted.
, "The general car or wrecking fore
man personally handles all wreck!
but is frequently accompanied by tn
master mechanic, the train master