Scouting is NOT all that we do. (I will repeat that at least another hundred times over the next 18 years I'm sure... until finally it is true!) However, when we are involved in scouting activities we are completely involved. An upcoming merit badge class for Railroading became the target of much research and excitement. We began by looking up what type of historic landmarks were within driving distance. The most captivating to learn about was the Golden Spike monument. We drove, and drove, and drove and then drove a little further not realizing how far it truly was, but we finally arrived at the museum and monument in the middle of NOWHERE!
The nation was united by rail at this spot in Northern Utah exactly 144 years ago last month. We attended a commemorative event which reenacted the final spike being driven into the ties that connected the tracks from Omaha, NE with the tracks from Sacramento, CA. We learned about the plight of the immigrant worker who toiled day in and day out for very little remuneration, to make life easier for others. We learned about how difficult the work was, the obstacles that had to be overcome, such as mountains, weather, danger, animals, and the pressures from the company to keep the work moving along at almost any cost.. or rather very little cost to the company.
The train replicas were fully functioning steam engines. They were incredible, shiny, huge and fascinating to learn about. They were even more exciting to watch as they were in action, the steam puffing out and the clanging of the bell, the sounding of the whistle. Of all the things we learned about a this location I think the most interesting was that they had to come this far north of the big city (Salt Lake City), because the steam engines required fresh water access every 20-30 miles and therefore it couldn't cross the salt flats or the Great Salt Lake. It wouldn't be until a few decades later that engines could travel further distances without the need for new water that they could finally have a train service directly to Salt Lake.
Next, each boy had to choose one item from the display to research in more detail. Being the mean scout leader that I am, I insisted they each choose a different item. Then they could present their research to each other and all learn about more.
The sheer simplicity of the tools available, the rugged terrain, the immense challenge and exhaustive labor intensive project that laying thousands of miles of track made an impression on us and gave us a great appreciation for the life and often shortened life span of the railroad worker.
Learning about surveying equipment, why and how surveying was done and how it is still used today was definitely interesting.
Almost nomadic in nature. The immigrants traveled along with the track. The cities would appear and disappear seemingly overnight. Some towns the tents made way for wooden structures and became permanent hub cities, others were moved along as the work moved.
One mile of track needed over 2400 wooden ties. Crews were cutting lumber ties and transporting them constantly to keep the railroad movement going forward. The most fascinating part... the process of laying track hasn't changed much in a century. Sure the ties aren't wooden anymore but they are laid at regular 2' intervals with the rails attached by spikes.
The final four spikes in the last tie that connected the railroads were removed. They were made of gold. The are displayed in museums now. Three of them are still in existence. One was lost to a fire following an earthquake in California.
The original rails to the Golden Spike monument location were removed during war time for use in the war effort.
We were full steam ahead on our merit badge research. Next we needed to learn about what historic preservation projects were being worked on in our area. We decided to attend the local chapter meeting of the Golden Spike Railroad and Locomotive Historical Society's next meeting. It was being held at the Union Station. Unfortunately, I did not take note of the location of the Union Station. We were a few minutes early and had a look around the majestic century old Union Station in downtown Salt Lake City. A few minutes after the meeting time we finally figured out that the meeting was being held at the Ogden Union Station.
We decided to email the society to answer our questions and spent our evening becoming acquainted with the Station we were currently within. The amazing story of work, and enterprise was reflected in the paintings, the stain glass windows and the sheer grandeur of the station meant to welcome the world to Salt Lake. We also rode the trax to the other magnificent station in the downtown area, the Rio Grande Station. The Rio Grande now houses an art gallery, which was convenient since we were also working on the Art merit badge and viewing art exhibits is one of the requirements. Unfortunately most of the Rio Grande is closed to the public after 5 pm and we weren't able to look around at much of the station.
I think I was most impressed with the incredible nature of the stations. Such grandeur and magnificence. At a time when scaffolding would have to be made from scratch, raw materials carted in from the mountains, labor was all manual and fine furnishings were a luxury. At first I thought the pioneers nuts. Why didn't they just erect a small shelter for the train to come and go from and call it a day, but then it was pointed out that they wanted to make an impression on the world that Salt Lake was worth being a getting off point not just another station en route to the destination. Salt Lake was saying, we are a destination! Come check us out!
Another requirement was to learn about train track formations. Whittaker was willing to assist with this assignment. He provided the tracks and the trains.
Part of the research required was to learn about railroading in other areas or to learn about an immigrant group that played a significant role in the operation of the railroad. I knew we would learn about the Nebraska to Wyoming section of the rail road and the Irish influence. After my research of the last two years in Patrick's family history, and knowing of his grandfather and great grandfathers roles as Engineers and workers on the Union Pacific railroad between Nebraska and Wyoming it was a no brainer that I wanted to learn more about this section of the rails and the role of the Irish. We listened to Irish railroad folk songs, read about the influx of Irish who came to the new world for a better life, for opportunities and jobs with the railroad. This portion of the research will likely never be fully satisfied for me.
Our Ticket to Ride
Our Final excursion for the Railroading merit badge was to ride the rails. We headed to the Heber Valley Historic Railroad for a great ride on an old train. We arrived early since we overestimated how long it would take to get to the station. That just gave us plenty of opportunity to explore and take photos.
Contests to see who could walk the rails the longest were underway and Caleb was the undisputed champion.
Once on the train we settled in for our ride. For some finding which way to sit for the best leg room was a challenge.
For others, leg room wasn't a concern!
By the end of the trip, some were even down right comfortable.
We definitely enjoyed our ride. Entertainment was provided by all the passengers including ourselves as we danced to the music being piped into the cars. Oldies and new songs alike. We had to teach the younger group on the train the YMCA dance moves but they caught on quickly and we grooved while the train moved.
When we boarded the train, we decided to ride in the caboose. It turned out to be the least up to date car, but had the most energetic and fun passengers. We took an excursion to see each of the other cars while we were en route and once I got over my nervousness of the actual, passing between cars while the train was moving, our excursion was enjoyable. The first car after the engine would definitely qualify as first class travel, with newly upholstered seats, more leg room and a nice paint job on both the interior and exterior of the car. Oh and it had a bathroom, definite class there. (the people were boring though... they just sat and rode the train) There was a snack car which drew a lot of attention and the rest were passenger cars much like our own.
Half way into our trip the train came to a halt. The engine was detached and we watched from our front row seats as it was directed onto a siding and the conductor managed the switch and suddenly we were the first car.
As we neared town we learned of a drawback to being the first car. The sound of the horn had been well muffled and drowned out by the music when we were the caboose, but now, well.... we all managed to find our skin before we pulled into the station. I even jumped out of mine a few more times. I think the whistle blew over a dozen times as we drove through town. At first Whittaker was surprised and laughing about it, but by the end, he was most upset and shaking with the terror the whistle was inflicting.
Along our route we had seen deer, jumping fish, fishermen, boaters, squirrels, and some lovely scenery. The excursion hadn't been anything like I'd expected yet it had exceeded expectations for a fun evening. I am glad we had done all our research ahead of time since we recognized and understood many railroading items and purposes. It was the perfect culminating trip for our merit badge.
