The Carbon County news. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1924-1931, 1928-05-31

country IS favored region and the
outlook for agriculture is promising
now that the markets are brought
within easy access. This statement
is based upon actual experience of
many good farmers who have lived in
the Redwater country for Is years or
! more and who have learned what
farming methods are best adapted to
the soil and climatic conditions, and
who, by the use of proper methods,
have prospered in their farming OPP
erations. The outlook for settlement
of the vacant lands of the Redwater
country seems exceptionally bright"
The Northern Pacific has had under
consideration the building of a line
into the Redwater valley since 1905,
but because of the World war and sub
sequent rehabilitation of the large
railroads, delay developed, but in
1926 application was made to the in
terstate commerce commission for au-
thority to build from Glendive to
Brockway via Lindsay and Circle. The
application was supported by large
delegations Of farmers and stockmen
representing the territory. Hearing
was conducted at Glendive in March,
1927, and on May Is of that year the
commission authorized the Northern
Pacific to carry on the construction.
Bids were requested Immediately and
contract covering the grading, bridg-
ing and track laying was awarded
Foley Brothers, Inc, general contrac-
tors, St. Paul, Mimi, on June Is,
1927.
The grading work was sublet by
Foley Brothers to Peterson, Shirley
& Gunther, and the bridging to Pep
pard & Fulton, track laying and bal
lasting being handled by the general
contractors direct. A large force of
men and equipment Immediately was
and active work started on
June n. On Nov. 2, 1927, track lay
ing was completed for distance of
81 u miles, connecting with the main
line near Glendive. The new line at
that time reached a point near the
top of the divide between the Yellow |
stone and Missouri river drainage.
Unusually severe weather in De-
cember necessitated closing down the
work but steam shovel operations
were again resumed on Jan. 10, 1928, |
and the force was increased as
weather conditions permitted. All
grading and bridging has been com
pleted and the track will reach Brock
way about June 1.
After climbing out of the brakes
Of the Yellowstone river the line runs
through prairie country to the top
Of the divide between the Yellowstone
and the Missouri rivers, which is
crossed at an elevation of 1920 feet
above sea level" H. e. Stevens, chief
engineer of the Northern Pacific, said. |
The easterly slope of the divide is
rolling country but at the summit it
breaks abruptly into bad land forma-
Ion for a width of about three miles
which involved some interesting and
difficult development work to secure
IN economic location. The grading for
his three miles averaged about 10O,-
700 cubic yards mile and required
several bridges so to 70 feet in height.
"West Of the bad lands, rolling
COUNTRY is again encountered, sloping
sently to the Redwater valley and in
7olvlng. no particular difficulty in
construction. Two crossings are made
# the Redwater river, one near Circle
md one near Brockway.
"The length Of the line from the
JUNCTION of the Sidney branch, two
niles west of Glendive to Brockwav.
S 81 miles,"
Mr.. Stevens furnished these facts
egarding the construction: