Central Washington Before the month of April ends I'd like to share a sighting made on a drive to Othello and on south to BNSF's Providence Hill. It was close to 09:00 in the morning on 4-17-11 when I arrived at Royal City and as I had never stopped to see the small Alco there decided this would be the day. Being a Sunday morning not a whole lot was going on at Royal City, the end of a Milwaukee Road branch line. The light on the MRS-1 was pretty bad so I took a few photos and decided to try and stop by on the way home later in the afternoon. 1) The MRS1 B-2070 at Royal City. This thing has been here for years and never turned a wheel from what I understand. 2) But that switch stand might be of Milwaukee heritage and the light on it was pretty good so I took a photo of it as well. 3-4) Sure enough the light was a lot better later in the day on my way home so I stopped for a few more photos. TSWR stands for Toppenish, Simcoe and Western, based out of Toppenish, WA. There was a grand plan for them to operate the branch line up to Royal City taking the cars to Othello but the plans fell through and the old Alco is now stuck here. Brian Ambrose Renton, WA
Yes, that is a MILW switch stand. Every time I get through there, the light absolutely stinks- I don't know why I am so lucky. But I have a few attempted photos. I'm surprised the ALCo is still there. I thought a museum or somebody would eventually pick it up. I fear it will some day fall to a scrappers torch. Boxcab E50
Easton, WA And from The John Wayne Pioneer trail here are a few views of the east portal of Tunnel 48 just west of Easton, WA from 4-27-11. As can be seen, this tunnel as well as the long tunnel over Snoqualmie Pass are currently closed but I have heard the state has plans to repair both and get them open to the public again this summer. I have a story about this tunnel. It was probably back in 1969 or so and my dad had dropped me off at the NP depot in Easton (I was good friends with the agent) for the day and went home but would pick me up later. Not much was happening on the NP side in the early afternoon so I decided to hike up the NP to the Milwaukee bridge over the NP and hiked back the Milwaukee Road and back over to the NP depot. Keep in mind I was 14 back then and didn't know any better. Heading back west on the Milwaukee tracks I got to the short tunnel and walked through it. Just as I exited the east portal and got clear of the tracks heard a swooshing behind me and turned to see 4 boxcab electrics blow out of the tunnel at speed. That made quite an impression to say the least and I am sure I must have been shaking since I still remember it so vividly! Those electrics didn't make a sound until they were right on top of you! I kept thinking what would have happened if I'd still been in that tunnel when they showed up. I also wouldn't be surprised if I got a scolding from Roger back at the Easton depot when I showed up there as I'm sure I told hime about it. That was the first and last time I ever walked through a railroad tunnel on an active mainline. Brian Ambrose Renton, WA
Cool Alco shots! The MRS-1 was built as a multi-gauge unit. It was designed to be reguaged to operate nearly anywhere in the world, in support of US military operations.
Roger had many a railfan visitor. Easton was such a nice place to get off the highway, and catch a few good photo locations. Last time I ever stopped in and saw him was about 1981(?)- Can't recall for certain. Don't think I have any of his NP orders, but do have at least one from BN days. We walked through a tunnel or two. Only time there was a train, was on the SP about 1974-1975. Seems like it was their Coos Bay branch, and we'd been out of the tunnel about five minutes when the local came rumbling through. Am trying to think of where that was. The line in that vicinity was somewhat northeast/southwest, up north of Reedsport somewhere. Past a town where the W&GR had a little line switching a mill. Anyhow, south of the tunnel was a siding and there was an old baggage car used by m-o-w. North of the tunnel was a bridge across one side of a lake/marsh area. Boxcab E50
Was there electrification through Tunnel #48? My only ride on the Olympican HI was to visit the Worlds Fair in Seattle in the early 60s. My mom and I took the Broadway Ltd from Philly to CHI and the MILWKE the balance of the trip. I wish I had taken more pictures, I just spent most of my time walking the train or in the tail obs car.
I just read all 47 pages of this thread, AWSOME. Does anyone know much about the exhaust tunnels that were drilled into the mountain on the idaho side CMSP&P RR? I was elk hunting east of Avery Idaho a few years ago and fount a huge almost vertical hole in the mountain and was told that it is a vent hole for the tunnel.
Could be exhaust. Might also have been used during construction of the tunnel. So served daul purposes. Boxcab E50
Pioneer tunnel type of affair? So they could work multiple faces of the tunnel at once to speed completion. The exhaust issue was a moot point for 50+ years...
Right. That's what I was thinking as a possibility. It must have been interestine te first years, steam only, getting through there. Coughing and choking.... Boxcab E50
Renslow trestle Earlier this month I was driving east on I-90 to eastern Washington and stopped at Renslow for some photos. I had photographed the bridge in the afternoon but not in the morning. May 1, 2011 was a very sunny day so I was able to get some decent photos from various angles. And I-90 was pretty light that early so I had no problems there either. Here are some of the photos that I took. Later I'll show some of the images I took at Othello. Brian Ambrose Renton, WA
Not sure if this really a ghost, maybe more of zombie of lines west, but it appears every once in a while on the short line run near my home. It is in the west, but strangely enough, not very near the actual Milwaukee line. The closest connection would be if the MILW Sumas turn dropped it off at the Sumas interchange.
I couldn't get a good look at the ends from where I was, and it was inside an industrial park. I was also driving a rather conspicuous vehicle, and couldn't really walk around near the car itself.
Am just curious, as I can see MILW on the side. Usually if restencilled, that would be painted over and gone. If still MILW on the ends, a really, really rare treat!
Hello everyone, I am a bit new to the world of trains but find them amazing. I am particularly interested in data and information about sub station #9. I have very little knowlege on the subject but grew up a few miles down the road from it. From my grandfathers land I can see where the old rail bridge used to be. To be frank I would like to buy the property and restore her or at the very least use it as adaptive reuse project. I am an aspiring architect and hate the idea of such a fantastic building going to waste. I suppose what I am hinting at is; does any one have good information on it... historically or currently or where I would go to find ownership and things of that nature. Hope to hear back from some one soon... - Matt
