National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Golden Spike National Historic Site

P.O. Box 897 Brigham City, UT 84302 435-471-2209, ext. 12 phone 435-471-2341 fax

Golden Spike National Historic Site News Release

For Release: April 8, 2004

Contact: Mary Risser

Phone: 435-471-2209, ext. 12

HISTORIC RAILROAD DUMP CART COMES HOME

Eli Anderson with the restored dump cart

Eli Anderson, of Salt Creek Wagon Works, restored one of the historic wagons on display at Golden Spike National Historic Site. During construction of the transcontinental railroad, workers used dump carts to transport dirt, gravel, and other building materials. A simple catch on the front end released the body of the cart and allowed the load to be dumped backward. These utilitarian carts could carry up to 1700 pounds and were integral to the day-to-day construction of the transcontinental railroad.

“This dump cart dates back at least to the turn of the century, and the dump mechanism appears to be even older,” stated Superintendent Mary Risser. “A previous restoration probably occurred in the 1960s. Much of the previous restoration, however, was done with soft wood, and

the dump cart had deteriorated almost to the point of collapse. Fortunately, we have a wagon restoration expert in our own backyard and were able to interest Eli Anderson in the job.”

In the process of restoring the old dump cart, Anderson was able to use the original hardware and the axle, but had to replace all of the wood. The wheels were totally rebuilt with new hubs, spokes, and fellows, and then the original tire irons were placed on the wheels. New boxings were machined to match the axles on the dump cart and then fitted and pressed into the hubs. Bolts were replaced, and square nuts were used to make the piece historically accurate. Ash, oak, poplar, and hickory were used to completely replace the deteriorate wood and bring the dump cart back to its original condition.

“Because of my long association with Golden Spike National Historic Site as a re-enactor in the May 10^th cast, I am pleased to have had the opportunity to restore this tangible link to the construction of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad,” stated Anderson. “Pieces, such as this dump cart, help to bring history alive for visitors.”

“Restoration of the dump cart was funded entirely through the Recreation Fee Demonstration Program,” explained Risser. “Congress established the program in 1996 to allow parks to retain 80 percent of the revenue raised through entrance fees. It has allowed us to complete projects that could not have been accomplished with our base budget, such as restoration of this dump cart. We have used money generated by the program to construct the interpretive shelter, produce new exhibits, fund Utah Conservation Corps work in the park, and a variety of other projects.”