Re: Irrigon
Author: OldPoleBurner
Date: 03-09-2007 - 00:13
Nobody has mentioned the grandpappy of all line relocations - or did I miss it. The Lucin Cutoff across the great Salt Lake chopped nearly a hundred miles off the old route over Promontory Summit. This line change was so great that most of the trackage east of the Summit (near the Thiocol Rocket Fuel Facility) remained in service as a branch for local traffic for many years.
Another, albeit very minor, is just inside the canyon on the west end of the Altamont. Its only a few hundred feet - more of a dodge than a line change. This one was brought about due to a chronic uncontrollable land slide. The UP finally gave up on the original alignment and let nature have her way. The tracks just dodge around the pile.
OPB