PUMP CAR
A Sheffield pump car drawing
By 1880 the pump car became standardized as Kalamazoo, Sheffield and Buda started manufacturing them. The cars were simple yet durable. One car noted in the Railroad Gazette 1910 was still in use after 30,000 miles without a major overhaul. The major problem with pump cars is that it required human power, and the crews were exhausted when they got to the job site. With the development of the gas engine in the early 1900s the pump car was soon replaced.
A pump car loaded and ready for work
A vintage pump car. As wood usually deteriorates this is very rare.
An NP workcrew in the Yakima Canyon below the abandoned tunnels.
An NP workcrew getting ready for work somewhere on the Cascade Div.
Yes, women, families….
