Steam & Excursion > Some Days It Just Didn't Pay To Go Fire Up The Locomotive!

We all have days like this crew was having back in 1968.  Gus Peterson had invited up some railfans from the Bay Area as well as Henry Sorenson from McKinleville, California to run trains on Gus's Klamath & Hoppow Valley Railroad out of Klamath, California.  The day was going just fine with both former Pickering Lumber 3-truck Heisler #10 and former Hammond Lumber #17 doing the honors, until #17 decided to stray off the rails with Henry at the throttle.

The K&HV was know for it's steep grades and switchbacks.  That was both part of it's charm as well as part of it's challenge.  Gus had to send out track crews regularly to inppect the track to be sure it was still in the proper place after the trains had been  running over it for a few days.

After a few hours, with the help of Heisler #10 and some oak wedges and blocks, #17 was back on the rails and ready to run again.

Martin



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/13/20 00:37 by LoggerHogger.

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Can't help but notice the lack of ballast.

So much simpler on an operation such as this, especially back then - no pee tests, no investigations, just re-rail it and continue the day basically. 

Amazing what an experienced crew can do with a few oak blocks. Always a supply of blocks on the locals caboose. Seen cars rerailed by crafty trainmen. Never even had to report it. Just continue on with the work!
Doubt it these new kids would be allowed to try it!

Steve Panzik
Chiloquin, OR

ln844south Wrote:
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> Amazing what an experienced crew can do with a few
> oak blocks. Always a supply of blocks on the
> locals caboose. Seen cars rerailed by crafty
> trainmen. Never even had to report it. Just
> continue on with the work!
> Doubt it these new kids would be allowed to try
> it!
>
> Steve Panzik
> Chiloquin, OR

Well someone would have to teach them first. Just like you guys did.

Wasn't bod-arc wood preferred?  It is terribly hard to cut.

tomstp Wrote:
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> Wasn't bod-arc wood preferred?  It is terribly
> hard to cut.

What is "bod-arc" wood?

Think he he was talking about bodark wood.