Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-02-04
Big Stretch OF Union PacifiC's
Main Line is Washed
Out.
SUBMERGED FIFTEEN FEET.
Trains Moving Via McCummon--Al
Western and Northwestern Rail
roads Having Trouble.

Devils cate, in Weber canyon and
about 20 miles east OF Ogden is the
scene Of one of the worst washouts
suffered by the Union Pacific for Some
time. Floods. landslIdos and washouts
have swept away zoo feet Of tracks
and dug into the roadbed for depth
OF Is feet. In stretches the road liz
many feet under water. Trains can not
he operated over main line OF the
Union Pacific as result Of these
washouts so the tle-up has resulted
This has been relieved 10 some extent
by the company's prompt action in
catching the west bound overland linz
tied before 1t reached Granger, Wyom-
Ing and diverting II at that point to-
wards McCommon- From the Idaho
city Ogden can be reached with no
difficulty. Nos. and eastbound
trains. scheduled to leave Ogden this
morning have been combined and viii
go east via McCammon this afternoon.
Service will be maintained over this
route until the main line has been
cleared. This work, it Is not expected,
will be completed before midnight to-
night.
WASHED OUT BADLY.
The washouts occurred about
o'clock yesterday afternoon. The thaw
and recent heavy rains loosened the
snow on the side hills and commencing
yesterday when the day was warnest
ii began to slide down the tracks on
one side of the canyon and into the
river on the other. The slides brought
large quantities of debris aud dirt with
them as they plunged into the canyon
and these blocked the culverts. carry
ing the Weber beneath the railroad
tracks. With snow and dirt from one
side loosening the tracks and the wa
ter being forced higher and higher on
the other II was but short time only.
when the tracks were both washed out
and submerged. Trackwalkers discov-
cred this and promptly sent warnings
10 Ogden and offices ON the east. Traf-
flc was stopped otlt of Ogden ana to-
wards Ogden from points on the east
Supt. f. Buckingham OF the Oregon
Short Line in this city and Acting As
sistant Supt. Botsford at Ogden left
for the scene of washout in a special
train and arc now there direct
ing the work Of repair,
A gang OF nearly 200 men was sent
towards Devils Gate aboard a work
and wrecking train. The local offices
of the Oregon Short Line received a re-
port shortly before noon today which
says the water has been drained off In
fairly good shape and temporary track
laying is to be commenced this after
noon. The rails will be laid on tempo
| rary trestles and filling In will be done
| later. In addition to the track washed
out. word from Ogden says bridge is
| gone.
r, q. w. HAS SLIDE ALSO.
A snowlide occurred Saturday after
| noon in Provo canyon. The Rio Grande
Westerns Heber train had just passed
the spot when the avalanche of ice,
snow and debris came tearing down the
steep mountain side just below the Bril-
dial Veil falls The train was carrying
a big load of passengers and crew. This
slide is the second one this season, and
further trouble is expected by the rail-
road company. The Park City branch
is piled high with snow and the cuts
and gullies look treacherous. Careful
operation is absolutely necessary.
NORTHWEST SUFFERS.
From the northwest comes word that
the worst freight embargo ever expert
enced In that territory is now in effect.
Announcement was made by Northern
Pacific officials al Tacoma Monday that
no freight could be moved east, except
Immediately perishab BILE, until the pres
ont congestion was cleared. How long
these conditions will exist the officials
could not state rs II will depend
great deal on the weather. The unusual
fall of snow and cold weather in the
Cascades, eastern Washington, Mon
taua and Dakota has completely de-
moralizcd the freight traffic. II is esti-
mated that there Ia an average Of eight
feet OF snow in the Cascades and more
falling. Should a chinook or rains set
In, railroad men say that the foods
which would result would surpass those
OF last November. Three thousand car
loads of freight are waiting on the
tlon east.