Keeler Ca. loading dock

[elminero67]

Does anyone know the history of this loading dock on the Carson & Colorado / Southern pacific narrow gauge in Keeler?

Thanks, Duane

[Brian Norden]

I have no information. But, I have some observation and comments.

It looks to be at about flat car height. So, it could not have been used for dumping material into a gondola.

I have seen some photos of a crawler (tracked) derrick or shovel being shipped from Owenyo to Keeler. Maybe this heavy built dock would have been used to unload such a flat car load.

Just guessing.

[Andrew Brandon]

I have to bug Herman later, I think he mentioned a name associated with it last time I talked to him. I will give him a call later this evening.

I checked the ICC Valuation maps for Keeler and it was not there at that time (1916).

[Brian Norden]

I have a set of valuation maps of the California portion of the line from the late 1930s. Some of the title blocks have a revision/updated to date of Dec 31, 1932. But this seems wrong -- for one thing the property tables have documents or agreements dating to as late as 1939, and they show the engine facilities at Keeler after the car bodies were set down.

These do not show a ramp in the area that your photos show.

[elminero67]

I'm not surprised that it doesn't show up in the 1930s-My impression is that it was likely a post WWII structure, and it does appear in a 1949 photograph in Myricks' Railroads of Nevada and Eastern California.
I agree that it would not be ideal for unloaded ore as it appears to be a little low to unload into a gondola by dumptruck.I didn't notice any spilled ore along the sides.

On the other hand it does not seem ideal for unloading equipment either-It seems like it would be difficult to get equipment or vehicles off a narrow gauge flat car at a 90 degree angle...but the heavily hinged ramp at the end of the loading dock seems to support this theory.






and a bonus pic of modules (under construction)being photographed en situ at Keeler:

[elminero67]

And a model of the loading dock:

[Andrew Brandon]

Duane,

Your module and models looks fantastic. O scale?

[elminero67]

Thanks-the models are ON30. I'm enjoying modelling the scenery and structures of the Owens Valley, but have to say that there is not much off the shelf rolling stock out there that is remotely close to the Southern Pacific ng...