This site features daily historical railroad posts from the Big Bend/Columbia Plateau region of Washington state. As a personal site, this is my online filing cabinet of interesting things I've come across about railroading in the area. Thanks for stopping by!
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Monday, September 12, 2016
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Ohio Ferro Alloys At Rock Island
Courtesy of Jim Trunzo, who ran this plant from 1988 to 2000.
The Rock Island Plant dates back to 1942 when it was constructed as part of the war effort. Operated by Ohio Ferro Alloys, it produced pig iron and ferrosilicon until the end of the war. Later declared war surplus, the plant was purchased in 1948 by the Keokuk Electro Metals Company. At that time, the intention was to produce pig iron and ferrosilicon from iron ore rather than iron turnings. The process proved to be technologically possible, but economically impractical.
By 1951, Keokuk had rebuilt the operation's three original furnaces. Five years later it added a fourth. As the demand for ferrosilicon on the West Coast began to diminish in the early 1950's, the plant turned to the production of silicon metal. The market was ripe because large aluminum producers were then constructing large facilities in the area to take advantage of low cost hydro electric power.
In 1959, Keokuk merged into Vanadium Corporation of America. Vanadium, in turn, merged with Foote Mineral in 1967. The plant subsequently was purchased from Foote Mineral by the Hanna Mining Company, in 1974.
Silicon Metaltech, Inc., purchased the plant from M.A. Hanna in 1988. Due to severely depressed prices for silicon metal, along with equipment problems and a heavy debt load, Silicon Metaltech filed for protection under chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code in June 1990. The plant operated in bankruptcy for nearly three years, until the company sold its assets to American Silicon Technologies on May 28, 1993.
The Rock Island Plant dates back to 1942 when it was constructed as part of the war effort. Operated by Ohio Ferro Alloys, it produced pig iron and ferrosilicon until the end of the war. Later declared war surplus, the plant was purchased in 1948 by the Keokuk Electro Metals Company. At that time, the intention was to produce pig iron and ferrosilicon from iron ore rather than iron turnings. The process proved to be technologically possible, but economically impractical.
By 1951, Keokuk had rebuilt the operation's three original furnaces. Five years later it added a fourth. As the demand for ferrosilicon on the West Coast began to diminish in the early 1950's, the plant turned to the production of silicon metal. The market was ripe because large aluminum producers were then constructing large facilities in the area to take advantage of low cost hydro electric power.
1955 view
In 1959, Keokuk merged into Vanadium Corporation of America. Vanadium, in turn, merged with Foote Mineral in 1967. The plant subsequently was purchased from Foote Mineral by the Hanna Mining Company, in 1974.
1985 view
Silicon Metaltech, Inc., purchased the plant from M.A. Hanna in 1988. Due to severely depressed prices for silicon metal, along with equipment problems and a heavy debt load, Silicon Metaltech filed for protection under chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code in June 1990. The plant operated in bankruptcy for nearly three years, until the company sold its assets to American Silicon Technologies on May 28, 1993.
Friday, September 9, 2016
1934 FDR Grand Coulee Special At Wenatchee
Photo courtesy Allen Miller.
October 2, 1934
Franklin Roosevelt's special train to visit Grand Coulee Dam, as shown at Wenatchee, with (left) Conductor Barrett and (right) Brakeman Freddie Bowen.
October 2, 1934
Franklin Roosevelt's special train to visit Grand Coulee Dam, as shown at Wenatchee, with (left) Conductor Barrett and (right) Brakeman Freddie Bowen.
Thursday, September 8, 2016
1967 Quincy Wreck-2
Update: Mr. Dean Ogle sent word of where to locate a news report, included below:
Courtesy of the "Spokane Chronicle."
June 26, 1967
June 25, 1967
Photos courtesy of the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center
Courtesy of the "Spokane Chronicle."
June 26, 1967
June 25, 1967
Photos courtesy of the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
1967 Quincy Wreck-1
Update: Mr. Dean Ogle sent word of where to locate a news report, included below:
Courtesy of the "Spokane Chronicle."
June 26, 1967
June 25, 1967
Photos courtesy of the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center
Courtesy of the "Spokane Chronicle."
June 26, 1967
June 25, 1967
Photos courtesy of the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center
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