Page "Gaillard Cut" Paragraph 8

Six thousand men worked in the cut, drilling holes, placing explosives, controlling steam shovels, and running the dirt trains.

They also moved and extended the railroad tracks as the work moved forward.

Twice a day work stopped for blasting, and then the steam shovels were moved in to take the loose spoil ( dirt and rock ) away.

More than 600 holes filled with dynamite were fired daily.

In all, 60 million pounds ( 27, 000 tonnes ) of dynamite were used.

In some locations, about 52, 000 pounds ( 23. 6 metric tonnes ) of dynamite were planted and detonated for a single blast.