Wheatland Ferry

Time for another engineering post for the guys at the Wednesday luncheon. I took a drive over to take a look at the Wheatland Ferry that crosses the Willamette River about 10 miles north of Salem, OR. It only travels about 600 feet (depending on the height of the river). It can carry 9 cars or a max. of 40 tons.



What I found to be very interesting is the fact that it is powered by electricity. The ferry has a diesel engine to power a generator, but they found they could save about $1,500 a month by running it on electricity. They rigged up a trolley affair over the river and is pulled back and forth over the wires by the overhead guide cable. (Click on the pictures to enlarge)





A crew of two just have just enough time to collect the $2 per car before the ferry touches shore on the other side of the river.



Pedestrians can ride free so I rode back a forth a few times taking pictures and talking with the crew.

Some Assembly Required

One of the first things I did in Salem was help Brent assemble a slide for the kid's Fort. It came in a box with a hundred bolts and MUCH ASSEMBLY REQUIRED!!

We did have fun working together again on a project. When Brent asked me, "Where are the plans for the slide?" I said, . . . . .

. . . ."What plans? WE DON'T NEED NO STINKEN PLANS !"

There! That looks straight enough for government work! The inspector is giving it his OK.

The Salem Tuckers

Well, as you can see I am with my son and his family in Salem, OR. You have seen my son, Brent, and two grandsons, Aaron (left), and Andrew (right), when we were at the Train Mountain doings last month. Brent's wife, Marlene, is seated. I was invited over to have dinner with them one Sabbath.



When I arrived, Brent had the boys enrolled in Tennis Camp and Swimming Camp for that week. Aaron's tennis camp was mostly exercising and it was warm so he was glad to get to the drinking fountain.



Aaron loves to have his picture taken and he wants to see it on the digital camera as soon as you take it.

On the other hand, Andrew returned a ball that was over his shoulder and kept it in play.

Special Post For Jim

I finally arrived in Salem and as far as this blog goes and can post items of interest regarding my stay here. One of the things I need to do up font, is to show Jim the fire engine that is for sale. Since I can't attach the pictures to my e-mail account (too big a file), I'll post them here. So HERE THEY ARE! Click on the pictures to enlarge.

Train Mountain Part 5

As we proceeded to the station, we passed another train full of happy passengers.



The trestle below is on the rail line that will someday go over the same highway that we went under. There is a lot of red tape that has to clear before they can start on the overhead bridge to extend the rail line up to Caboose Ridge.

We are about to enter a single track tunnel. It goes under part of the parking lot. It is over 200 feet long and has to have a vent in the middle.

We can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Just after we emerge from the tunnel we are faced with a series of signals that control the yard entry.

Finally, after more than 2 hours, we arrive back where we started from.
WHAT A RIDE!

Train Mountain Part 4

While the train was being put back on the track, I went up to the head end and took a picture of the motive power.

We traveled about half a mile further to a siding where we all got off the train and stretched our legs. At this siding is a miniature logging camp compete with a working log loader.

We could look through the windows of the mess shack and see the fancy dinner ware on the table.

While we were looking around, a woman pulled onto our siding riding a "high rail" car that she had made from an old pedal car. Real neat!

Then it was time to board our train again and pull out onto the main line to continue our train ride.

Train Mountain Part 3

Once we were through the industrial section of our trip, we headed for the big tunnel.

And under Chiloquin Blvd.

Then it was on out into the wilds of the forest to take in some pristine beauty.

Then it happened, the dreaded DERAIL!

The caboose was flipped onto its side and drug over the gravel.

The cars were lifted and placed back on the track and off we went again.