East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1913-01-30
SNOW COST R. R.
OVER $4,000

After having been blockaded by
snow for the past three weeks so that
all traffic over it has been suspended
the Northern Pacific branch line con-
meeting Athena with it's Pendleton
Pasco line is almost cleared of the
snow. At present a wrecker is en-
gagged in putting back on the track
two engines which were derailed and
turned over in vain attempt to buck
their way through the snow barrier.
1t is estimated that the blockade has
cost the company over $4,000.
The trouble began January I after
a severe wind and snow storm which
lasted over twenty-four hours, filling
the deep cuts between Hilsdaie and
Wayland stations about ten miles
northeast of Athena. 1t took two
days to clear the road so the train
could reach Athena and that train
has the distinction of being the last
to Athena on this road.
A severe storm began about Janu-
ay 10th and continued intermittently
for about ten days, doing a great deal
of damage. 1t was impossible for the
regular train to reach Athena so an
extra train was sent out from Pasco
to open the road. 1t started work
January 18th, with an outfit of twen-
| ty Greek laborers, two locomotives and
! one snow plow.
There are three deep cuts between
| Hillsdale and Wayland stations and
! one long, low cut, one mile east of
| Wayland The crew worked for eight
days and four nights and finally
reached the cut east of Wayland. Most
of the time they worked in a heavy
snow and wind storm and the cut
drifted full behind them as fast as
| they were cleared in front, keeping
the crew shut off from both ends
About half way between Hillsdale anC
Wayland they drove the snow plow
clear back under the pilot in an eff
fort to force their way through the
deep drifts. This left them to dis
the snow plow clear to the rails befor,
they could pass with the train.
At Wayland they changed engines
and put tie one with the good pilo
in the lead. They took on coal her,
and began with renewed vigor to ge
through the last cut. After two days
bucking and digging they were all bu
through and clear to Athena. Tn
two locomotives backed up the tracl
about a quarter of a mile in su
preme effort to break through. At
speed of about Is miles per hour the
hit a sharp curve which spread tn
rails and let the engines loose. TIL
front engine capsized completed
leaving it with the drivers pointin
upward. The second engine was de
rallied but no serious damage done.
remarkable fact is that no one wa
injured in the accident which SCENE
. inevitable death to the engine crew.
A wrecking train was ordered fror
Pasco and after thee days work i
the cut east of Hillsdale they reache
the wrecked engines. Two extra crew
were at work most of the time
At present one engine has been turne
back and put on the track. but tn
other lies helpless. 1t is estimate
that about fifteen hundred dollar
will complete repairs on the front en-
CINE and about five hundred on tn
second, while the total loss to tn
company because of the blockade wi
be about $12 900. The train crews ar
still at work and If they encounte
further trouble they will probabl
reach Athena about tomorrow.
The people for miles around ar
gathered to see the work carried or