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ISSUE NUMBER 11 - OCT. 2016
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Contractors made progress on site work around the historic Salem Railroad Baggage Depot in August and September. For example, the
water tap has been completed, and the valve vault and required chlorination have
been completed to the vault. The water line has been placed through
the parking area to the northwest corner of the station and backfilled with aggregate. Next up: visible work on the exterior.
Building details
All of the
structural assessments of the building have been completed to determine wood
replacement. The foundation assessment is being completed and jacking of
the foundation will either use pressurized grout or jacking and grout to level
the floor. Wood replacement will begin with base plates, trusses and
studs.
 Photo's origin
Some readers wondered where this photo came from, and State Rail Planner Bob Melbo has an idea.
"The photo is believed to be a Southern Pacific
valuation photo. I got it from railroad historian Lloyd Palmer in
Waldport," Melbo said. "I think he got it, along with
a bunch of other location depot photos, from the archives of a railroad museum
in Northern California."
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 Ducks and trains!
Duck fans (and anyone else who enjoys train rides), we have discounts to football games and more. Amtrak Cascades has several other promotions running, too. Relax... and ride the train!
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IN THIS ISSUE
What's new
State Railroad Plan Coordinator Bob Melbo rounded up some old stories that detail the challenges early leaders in Salem had in getting a remodeled passenger rail station. We've put them on the website - fascinating reads!
Interpretive panels being finalized
They may be one of the final touches, but they're almost ready to go. The interpretive panels and stands are being stored by ODOT Facilities. There are three units and each consists of a 32” long piece of railroad rail welded to a 24”x 36” steel plate with steel frame. They will be a nice touch on the finished product - on "Dixie's Depot" that is!
 Reader identifies objects
We received a nice note from Bruce Quinn of Operation Lifesaver about the photo. He wrote, "I just wanted to confirm that the items under 'What are
these?' were indeed stand-offs used on poles along the railroad
right-of-way for telephone/telegraph lines and also for signal lines. The
threaded portion was for glass insulators (some were rubber). I used to
maintain a communication line along a logging railroad in the Sierra-Nevada
Mountains and used many of the stand-offs pictured on your site.
"While it's possible that those stand-offs may have been used for a
telegraph line I can't help but wonder since the location is so close to the
knob and tube wiring (110 volts) that the insulators were used for that. I
doubt that you can check with the person who installed them..." Thanks, Bruce!
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For more information about the Oregon Department of Transportation's Rail and Public Transit Division, contact Shelley M. Snow, ODOT Communications, shelley.m.snow@odot.state.or.us or (503) 986-3438.
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