SVRR Unloading Rail

This photo taken in Oregon's Sumpter Valley in 1976, shows the SVRR volunteers unloading rail that was donated by the Union Pacific. The little tractor with what looks to be a home built loader seems to being doing the job. Improvise with what is at hand was the norm for these early volunteers. They built a thriving little recreated railroad on an abandoned right of way against odds. The guy on the right with his back to the camera may be the late Dale Shumway, one of the founding members who continued to volunteer with the organization up into the 2000's. The scan is from the SVRR Archive.