Ahh, the old box lunch. Is that a big pot of coffee at the gents feet?

Rick on 6th December 2016 @ 7:12am

I can only assume this was close to the work train, where they slept and the kitchen car was. My great-great grandfather worked on the railroad for a short time after his arrival in 1880 up probably across from the area of Maryhill. He said that they had a car where there were bunks for the men to sleep and then the kitchen car.

I would imagine this location isn't too far from the train as I wouldn't think the coffee would stay hot in the pot very long.

I am wondering if this is the only crew or if there are others that were grouped in other spots for lunch?

charlott on 6th December 2016 @ 7:13am

I guess my question was answered by going back and looking at the Gifford photo, as it shows many men standing along side the tracks.

I think Pat Farley eventually went to Heppner. He died from injuries when an automobile turned over on him. Can't be 100% sure, but the man in the photo looks about his age.

charlott on 6th December 2016 @ 7:23am

Are they up on the very top of the bluff with the railroad below them?
I tried google earth to get the same view but can't really replicate it.
I think the view across the river is just west of Chamberlain Rest Stop

If they are up on top, I doubt they lugged their lunch box all the way up the hill, so was it brought to them via a wagon road?

L.E. on 6th December 2016 @ 9:23am

I have had the advantage of viewing the whole album already: Earl Conser was part of a small engineering/ survey crew, which seem to be detached from the construction crew which you will see tomorrow. They lived in their own camp at Mosier which you will get a peek at Thursday. I think in this view they are up high (where I-84 and the Columbia River Highway run) perhaps for surveying purposes-- maybe Randy can explain. The track stays very close to river level in the Memaloose area.

Arthur on 6th December 2016 @ 9:34am