Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (July 22, 2016)
10 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2016 Local 40th anniversary of SVRR restoration celebrated BY MEGHAN ANDERSCH Meghan@TheBakerCountyPress.com This July marks 40 years since the Sumpter Valley Railroad Recon- struction brought the Sumpter trains back into service with the offi cial ribbon cutting occurring on July 4, 1976. At fi rst, the railroad operated on just a few thousand feet of track. Through ongo- ing volunteer efforts, over seven miles of track have now been rebuilt. Nancy Myers recalled how Nils Christensen knocked on their door in August 1969. He asked for husband Leland Myers and asked what he thought about bringing back the Sumpter Railroad. Daugh- ter LeAnne Woolf re- marked how impressed she is by the dedication and commitment of those early volunteers. From concep- tion to realization years later, they never gave up. Before the fi rst run of the day on July 16th, Linda Raney strung a ribbon across the front of the Heisler Number 3 locomo- tive. Volunteers from the early years of operations during the 70s and 80s posed for pictures. Before cutting the rib- bon, Leland Myers shared several railroad memories, including an eventful visit from Senator Packwood. Packwood wanted to operate the throttle of the engine. Myers agreed to this, instructing Packwood to pull back slowly. Pack- wood yanked the throttle back, breaking the univer- sal joint, and causing the driveline to drop down and drive through one of the Meghan Andersch/ The Baker County Press Ribbon cutting with Leland Myers, Fred Horn, Scott Hutton, Jim Grigsby, and Steve Howes. ties into the ground. My- ers said he’d never seen a train crew bail out so fast. With the fi reman “pulling the fi re out of the fi rebox,” the crew worked quickly to get the locomotive shut down. Steve Howes remarked he had also been there for the incident. He alluded to Packwood’s reputation with women and explained, “She (the locomotive) was just reacting to that.” Several volunteers mentioned how much they have enjoyed being involved with the railroad and encouraged anyone in- terested in getting involved to fi nd out more. After the ceremony at the McEwen Depot, rid- ers were treated to cake and coffee when the train arrived at the Sumpter Depot. Visitors over the weekend included Randy Neufeld, whose great-aunt, Thelma Kirkland, was ac- tually born on the Sumpter train in 1911. Mallory Hope Ferrell’s Rails, Sage- brush, and Pine: A Garland of Railroad and Logging Days in Oregon’s Sumpter Valley includes mention of the event. “Resource- ful conductor Dave Baird rushed all of the passen- gers out of the fi rst coach and helped deliver a baby girl as the train barreled through Salisbury as fast as the little 44-inch drivers could take it.” The book also includes a picture of Neufeld’s great grandfa- ther, Otis Kirkland, sitting in the window of the Num- ber 3 Heisler steam engine, at about the age of 10. In a fortuitous event, Neufeld and his wife Jeri visited the Sumpter Library and Museum, happening to meet and strike up a conversation with Woolf and librarian Jerry Dunn. Woolf told them about the 40th anniversary celebra- tion the next day. When the couple mentioned family members appearing in Ferrell’s book (which is out of print), Dunn was able to pull out the library’s copy and show them the information. Dunn said of Neufeld, “He was so excited, he was shaking.” The Railroad is open se- lect weekends and holidays through the last weekend in September. Information on schedules and fares can be found online at sumpt- ervalleyrailroad.org. One giant nutmobile Wicked Ways Tickets are just $25 each. Buy yours today at the front desk of The Geiser Grand Hotel or online at www.theBakerCountyPress.com Photos courtesy of Bo Hansen. The Planters Nutmobile from California stopped at the Chevron on Main Street in Baker City Wednesday morning. Planters is celebrating 100 years of peanut sales and more by sending the quirky vehicle on a tour around the country. ‘Gold Rush’ cast appearance • Carriage rides Gothic specialty cocktails • Limited theme menu Music and dancing Special TAPS family “reveal” for ticketholders only!
