Ethan,
I have her name somewhere but have not found it yet. Her last name, as in the news clip I did see, was Hatch. When If find it, I will forward it to you.
In McNary, there were no log loading as I recall. All the logs were dropped and sent into the plywood mill. Any logs for Snowflake were sent straight through, if any. There was a string of empty log cars near the sand house and were open spine cars. These were just before the pond in which the Wye crossed. One trip, Reed had me cut off the last coach as it was not needed. When I applied the brake, there was a loud snap and the brakes did not hold. Bob Echols, conductor, and Reed both ran and jumped on the car as I went to the other end to apply the brake. We all pulled on the wheel to no avail as we drifted towards the log cars. I jumped off to be sure the switch was for the main line but I could not out run the coach's glide down hill. I re entered the coach and we drifted to the switch, which was set properly for passing the siding, and then saw the switch for the pond Wye side was set for the pond crossing and up hill to the depot. Guess where the coach came to a stop - right, in the middle of the pond.
When the coach stopped, we got off and walked the ties to ground. Upon inspection that evening ( the shop switch engine pushed the car back to Reed's depot for us). we found the main brake rod had snapped in half. An exciting ride for sure.
There was a small yard up past the depot but I never spent any time in that area as I concentrated in our depot area. I never did see a log train arrive or leave in all my trips in McNary. Sorry I can't supply any details of the operations as I was there on week ends from the U of A and there was very little activity on the week ends. After I graduated and moved to Calif., the mill burned down and McNary was no more.
Harry
