Name/Title
Print, PhotographicEntry/Object ID
2024.0.507Description
No. 18. This was a Fordson farm tractor that was adapted to rail use and used by the DWP in raising the height of the dam at the agricultural water reservoir up Big Pine Creek that increased the capacity of Second Lake. The original reservoir on Big Pine Creek was built by local farmers. The tractor was disassembled, packed on the backs of mules, and hauled up to the reservoir site. Some of the heavier parts had to be carried between two mules. On a straight stretch this is not much of a problem since the weight is placed between the mules and they move in tandem. It was a different story on the trail up Big Pine Creek. The trail was "one-mule wide" in many places, with many switchbacks. The solution was to place a wagon-type bolster with kingpin on each mule. Poles were attached and the heavy part was suspended on the poles between the mules. When the mules came to a tricky spot the bolster/kingpin would turn very sharply, if necessary, and the mules and cargon would continue on. The Fordson equipment was too heavy to get back down after the reservoir was raised so it was left on the site. A few years ago a helicopter brought the remains of this equipment down from the mountain.