Were we to report for the readers of the SENTINEL one half of the tales of experience of late of parties, going down and coming up the line of Railway, and, also, above Yale, our columns would be filled up. Of course the Railway is not in good working order and all sorts of "wild-cat running" is encountered day and night.
Last Thursday "the through train" left Port Moody about 3 p.m., when the passengers consisted of a number for Yale and Railway workingmen, recently up from San Francisco and going to work upon the iron bridge. The cars were part of those used in taking down Mr. Greaves' cattle a few days before. The train toward night reached the embryo city of Port Hammond, and the passengers were told that the engine had to go back to where started from to bring up some more cars. Nothing was known about how long the delay would last, and notwithstanding the exposure to the terrible weather it was thought best to patiently wait for the next move.
About midnight the long expected relief came and on board of one of the cattle cars, which had canvas spread over it, Major Rogers and his nephew, Dr. Hanington and James Wright, who had his leg broken, and a few other passengers—including a couple of ladies coming to Yale—were added to the train. Finally the start was made from Port Hammond, and after much suffering to the poorly clad passengers the train reached Yale, about 24 hours after making the first start from Port Moody. The weary and hungry passengers soon found shelter in hospitable Yale from the inclemency of the weather.
Major Rogers and nephew remained over night at the "Cascade House" and next day started with the train for up line. Reaching the Big Tunnel an "ice berg" was found directly in the way; it was the result of heavy leakage from the roof, and we are told it had grown in a short time to be some six feet high and about nine around; as the engine could not "climb," consequently a halt was had when it was discovered a smaller icicle had broken an important part of the engine. The order was given to "fix up somehow and back, again, to the machine shop for repairs," which was done accordingly. In the meantime a force of men were put to work to remove the ice.
Major Rogers had an opportunity to get a good look at that part of the line which has been officially called "finished." After some delay the parties going up line moved on by the stage toward Kamloops, where an office will be opened and a commencement made to lay out the line for Railway work from Savona toward the east.
The day following the train got through the tunnel and up the track, and upon the return trip another "ice berg" cropped up in the tunnel and more delay was had at the Big Tunnel. In the meantime Mr. U. Nelson had 87 head of cattle and a dozen horses in waiting at 12 Mile Flat. They were placed upon the cars yesterday noon, (instead of Sunday morning as expected,) and reached Yale shortly after 6 last evening. The horses occupied one car and five for the cattle; both horses and cattle came down from Nicola and looked large and in good condition. No doubt the delay in getting to market will be a serious loss to Mr. N., who some days since expressed the belief that he had secured a find band of animals. At present a scarcity of beef prevails at Victoria and it is hoped the expectations of Mr. Nelson will be realized. We stated last week that he has a first-class meat market in full operation in Victoria.
The caboose that accompanied the train down to Port Moody has recently been turned out of the Car Shop here and is an important addition to the running stock of the Railway company, ensuring some degree of comfort to passengers paying their $5.50 between Yale and Pt. Moody.
P.S. Mr. Cowey, of the C.P.R., took up yesterday by B.C. Express team 10 men to the Big Tunnel to try to keep the track clear of ice, etc.
