Sad Gory Accident In Spanish Fork

From the Provo Herald:

Eight sheep remain after being chased
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SPANISH FORK -- Just eight sheep remain from a flock of 132 that was hit by a train after being chased to the tracks by a dog, the owners say.

Jim Jensen, one of four people who own the group of sheep, said 13 immediately survived the accident but five have since died, and, "There's a couple more of those -- two more at least -- that I'm not sure will make it."

The owners have been raising the registered Suffolk and Hampshire sheep for 20 years, entering them in livestock shows and selling them to 4-H and Future Farmers of America clubs. It would cost up to $1,300 to replace each of the sheep, said Jensen, who works for Utah State University's extension service in Provo. The sheep, many of which were pregnant, were in a fenced area on Jensen's property on the night of the accident, he said. A dog owned by a resident in west Spanish Fork started to chase them.

To get away from the dog, the sheep ran through an electric fence, then onto nearby Union Pacific railroad tracks, where they were hit by a train. The dog that chased the sheep was still in the area and police allowed the sheep owners to shoot it, Jensen said.

"You're responsible to take care of your own dog, to make sure it's tied or kenneled and not bother others," he said.

Questions remain about the liability. Jones blames both the dog owner and Union Pacific.

"It is their (Union Pacific's) responsibility to keep the tracks fenced and cattle guard in front of them," Jensen said.

A spokesman with the Omaha, Neb.-based railroad said the incident is under investigation.

"Typically, we do not have fences on our property," said Mark Davis, spokesman for Union Pacific. "Usually, responsibility for maintenance of these fences is that of the property owner."

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page C2.

Assuming I understood the radio report correctly, the railroad was assisting in the cleanup, although whether they would pick up the bill was not clear.

The railroad line in question is the old Denver & Rio Grande Western mainline between Salt Lake and Denver, just west of the mouth of Spanish Fork canyon.

I would be surprised if the railroad was held liable; trains cannot stop quickly. Basic physics. The dog's owner is out a dog, and possibly a lot more.

Just a sad waste.

What's Up With The Name?

Why "Pacific Coast Extension"? Fair question.

I have two other weblogs, The Pacific Slope and the Wasatch Front (you might have noticed them on the link bar). I wanted a place to talk trains (not that I've done that much lately), and it didn't go well with my politics and ranting on the Pacific Slope or the Wasatch Front. Plus, the audience for train stuff tends to be more limited.

So, I started this blog, and adapted the name from the Milwaukee Road and their "Pacific Coast Extension."

Ogden Union Station

On the platforms, looking south...

Platform sign...

The Depot's seen better days, but they've seen worse, too. At least it survives, and still has tracks to it.

Unlike my hometown farther south. Salt Lake City's fathers, displaying the lack of foresight common to Salt Lake City politicians, ripped up to the tracks to not one but both of Salt Lake's historic depots, leaving them rootless. Both buildings were once owned by either the state or the city. The old Rio Grande depot still is, and houses the Utah Historical Society. But the Union Pacific depot was sold by Salt Lake City to a developer for a song, which proceeded to gut the building. The old depot fixtures were sent to the dump. All in the persuit of elusive property tax dollars - which no one ever checks to see if those promised dollars materialize.

Either could have served as a commuter rail / light rail / bus hub for the city, an excellent gateway to the "Crossroads of the West." Instead, Amtrak passengers see a grimy collection of industrial buildings, and the old abandoned Rio Grande freighthouse. The depots have been replaced by an Amshack, a dingy-gray double-wide that lacks any of the class, grandeur, or history of either of the old depots.

Such is Salt Lake urban planning. But that's another rant for another time.

But it appears Ogden will display more foresight. I hope so.