GN Anybody have a few Great Northern memories to share?

BoxcabE50 Dec 15, 2020

  1. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Here is one of mine.

    Many years ago a group of locals lovingly restored the famous "Bruck". She was proudly placed on display by the former GN Whitefish, Montana depot. This bus was once used by the railway to shuttle train passengers between Kalispell and Whitefish. I caught her not long after being placed on display. Beautiful.

    Today there is an ugly iron fence around her and she is being forgotten, deteriorating again. :cry: Those who revived her now passed on or moved far away. I sure miss that bunch. Doug, Frank, Ken, Max, Mike, Steve and all. Characters, all. :(
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  2. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    Spent the night in Whitefish back in '02 I think it was with the wife, kids, and my parents as well on vacation! Got a bunch of pics of the NW5 with me and my Dad, and then hung out at the depot, when everyone else went to bed, and watched all the trains come in until about 2am!! Chatted with crews, saw all the cool power mixes, and just took in the warm night air.

    Great memories!:rolleyes:
     
  3. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    My Dad was a big GN fan, having grew up right next to the tracks in Monroe, Wa then in Snohomish until he went in the Army in '56.

    In 1970, when I was 5, for my birthday we rode the then BN Empire Builder from our hometown in Edmonds over to Wenatchee and back-best present ever! Conductor found out, (thanks Mom!), and gave us all some old BSB GN round pins, and when we got to Wenatchee, someone at the depot got us some apples from the Cascadia Cold Storage across the tracks from the depot while we were waiting for the WB Builder.

    Best day ever!:cool:
     
  4. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    One of those fellows who restored the Bruck, was also the point man for restoring that engine. It is actually an NW3. It could also use some TLC these days. :( We lost him in a tragic accident back in late 2004. :cry::cry::cry:
     
  5. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    Oh, wow.

    That's sad to hear. Dang:unsure:
     
  6. Mr. Trainiac

    Mr. Trainiac TrainBoard Member

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    What if you got the vehicle running again? It would be a lot more work than just a cosmetic restoration, but it would probably generate more interest too. It could drive to shows and events, which may help fund the program even more. Who technically owns the 'Bruck'? When they get caught up in legal disputes over ownership, that when it seems the vehicles get scrapped.

    If there is a will, there is a way. It would be a shame to see it fall into disrepair, but I have seen both trains and cars restored from a worse condition.
     
    Kurt Moose likes this.
  7. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I am trying to recall ownership of the bus. I believe it, as well as the NW3 belong to the historical society. The depot and grounds also belong to the Stumptown Historical Society. They have a display area in the east end, first floor, as well as storage up on the third floor. They lease space on the second floor to BNSF and Amtrak on the first floor. Frank Gregg (former GN and BN man) was the person I always communicated with from that group, but he has long since passed away and I have lost track of who....
     
  8. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Here is the NW3, not long after the restoration, late 1990's. It is number 181, however, for some strange reason from this photo angle the numerals "1" on sides and end barely show. They might not have been finished with lettering, when I took this photo.

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  9. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Not as old, but some GN. GN X-51 once proudly stood at the corner of Broadway and 4th St in Minot; it is now at the Railroad Museum of Minot. Here's a 2003 photo from its former location:

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  10. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    A long way from GN territory but still my first encounter with some varnish from the Empire Builder. These cars are at a museum just west of Erie PA. I really like the color scheme. I bet these cars were a beauty to see back in the day on home rails.

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  11. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    From their tie treatment plant, once located at Somers, Montana, is this fireless tank #S-1. She is today on display at the Miracle of America Museum, located just south of Polson, Montana:

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  12. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    This one fools many people, including locals and newcomers. It is currently serving as a museum at Troy, Montana. It was never the depot. This was the crew office/locker room from Troy. Similar in appearance to the old depot's exterior design, it was adjacent, but separate:

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  13. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    That is a neat looking little tea kettle Ken. (y) Sure would like to see her in a fresh coat of paint :)
     
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  14. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Me, too! I have not stopped there in a few years. Maybe that has happened, but I would doubt it. The most recent pictures from their site, it is still sitting there, looks even more rusted. :(
     
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  15. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Here is her sister fireless, the S2:

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  16. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    A former GN camp car, this example is located at Marion, Montana. It was last used when the stockyards there were in service, nearing seventy years ago. There are three more such examples located at Somers, Montana. Those had been last used in the yard of the company tie plant there.

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  17. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Statue of John F. Stevens, located at Summit (Marias Pass), Montana. He was their very well known GN civil engineer, and the namesake of Stevens Pass, Washington. Here is a bit of humor. The statue plaque states the elevation at Summit as 5216 feet. Meanwhile, just across the highway, behind the statue, BNSF's sign shows 5125 feet! In 100 yards, somebody lost (gained?) a foot of elevation? Hmmm.

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  18. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Great Falls, MT, before 2010:

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  19. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    An interesting rivet pattern beneath "Northern". I wonder what? Can't tell if it is a patch or something else.
     
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  20. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    It might be an internal modification to the trailer, but I was unable to see the interior.
     

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