Extracts From the NP Field Engineer's Notes-Connell to Cheney

Courtesy of Aaron Schwarz

Washington 12

This valuation section extends form Connell to Cheney, a distance of 189 miles. It runs up the valley of Wilson Creek about 60 miles, then turns and curves eastward along the basin known as Moses Coulee; leaves this coulee near Hartline, going through Davenport to Cheney. Maximum curvature 10 degrees; maximum grade 1.2%. The greater part of the line is over rolling country, with occasional large coulees to be crossed. The greater part of the country adjacent to the line is filled raw land covered with sagebrush and loose rock, although considerable acreage close to certai portions of the line is devoted to wheat-raising. The line was constructed in three separate sections and at three different periods; that from Cheney to Coulee Jct. was built in 1888 and 1889; from Coulee Jct. to Adrian was built in 1902 and 1903; balance of line built in 1909 and 1910. Construction period would be two years. Wagon roads cover the entire section and equipment of all classes can be hauled wherever requires.

Account 3--Grading
A portion of the line is very heavy rock work, the rock being a basaltic or porous lava. The top soil is a thin light volcanic ash and the subsoil a hardpan or cemented material. Heavy wind storms caused the light soil in the embankments to blow away during construction. The was remedied as far as possible with a gravel blanket protection. The little riprap required was obtained from Miles 3, 4 and 5. Clearing and grubbing accounts to scattered sagebrush. The line was constructed under the following prices:

Cheney to Coulee City

Clearing, heavy $80 per acre
Clearing, sagebrush $12 per acre
Grubbing $30 per station
Earth $.18 per cubic yard
Cemented Gravel and Loose Rock $.50 per cubic yard
Solid Rock $1.25 per cubic yard

Coulee Jct. to Adrian

Clearing $10 per acre
Grubbing $5 per station
Earth $.17 per cubic yard
Loose Rock, Cemented Gravel and Hardpan $.35 per cubic yard
Solid Rock $.80 per cubic yard

Adrian to Connell

Excavation and embankment, earth, 300 foot haul $.165 per cubic yard
Excavation and embankment, earth, 300 to 1000 foot haul $.205 per cubic yard
Hardpan $.28 per cubic yard
Loose rock $.32 per cubic yard
Solid rock excavation $.75 per cubic yard
Solid rock borrow $.50 per cubic yard
Loose riprap $1.25 per cubic yard
Hand Placed Riprap $1.50 per cubic yard
Overhaul on above (free haul 1000 feet) $.01 per cubic yard
Clearing $15 per acre
Grubbing $1.50 per square rod

Account 8--Ties

All treated ties are creosoted. Bridge ties and switch ties are all sawed fir and untreated.

Account 10--Other track Material

Guard rails made from relay rails are provided with braces and not with bolts and clamps as shown on carrier's standard. Guard rails made from new rail, however, are the carrier's present standard.

Account 11--Ballast

Gravel pit at Mile 45 has had removed about 33,000 cubic yards, with 17,000 cubic yards remaining. Material is coarse gravel, about 20% dirt and 10% large boulders. No clearing required. Stripping amounted to 1921 yards of earth. most of the material was used for replacing sand embankments on Washington 14 (Bassett Jct. to Schrag) and for washout filling. Pit in Mile 47 about 31,000 cubic yards removed, 10,000 cubic yards remaining. Coarse gravel; 20% dirt; 30% boulders; partly cemented and hard to remove; poor material for ballast. Largely used for band protection and widening. Pit at Mile 18: About 8000 cubic yards still available. Coarse gravel; 10% dirt; 10% boulders; no stripping. Pit in Mile 17: About 10,000 cubic yards still available. Material coarse gravel, partly cemented; 50% large boulders; used for ballasting and bank widening. Pit in Mile 82 at Kirkwood: 90,000 cubic yards removed; 40,000 cubic yards remaining; stripping amounted to one foot deep on 2.55 acres. Fine gravel 30%; coarse sand 60%; dirt 10%. Mile 16 - Sand pit; About 20,000 cubic yards still available. Coarse sand; 10% fine gravel; 10% dirt; stripping 3470 cubic yards.