Yes. he's exploring the old electrified area. (Which was Othello- west.) He's in the hills right on the west bank of the Columbia River. Kittitas County. No guide exists as yet for Washington. Supposedly Stan has one coming.... Check your PMs! Boxcab E50
Would anyone on here be interested in exploring snoqualmie pass this summer? I live in North Bend and several of my model railroad friends have shown interest in starting at Easton and going over Snoqualmie to Cedar Falls and then take the old Snoqualmie branch line down to North Bend and ride back to my place (which is literally about 1/4 mile from the grade) BBQ up some burgers, dogs and what not and choke down some cold ones. I dont when this will happen yet but one weekend this summer for sure.
How long have you been in the Snoqualmie Valley??? I lived within about a five mile radius of NB for most of my first 50 years! Our last house, we could see traffic on the Everett line. And from our deck, before the trees grew, we could see the hillside cut at old Ragnar ballast pit. I have a fair amount of Everett Line info. Know the area fairly well..... But, live far away now. Boxcab E50
I have been in the valley for about 2 years now. I never really was much into the Milwaukee until I moved there and started exploring around a little bit. If you know the area well enough then you know where Riverbend is. I live on the back side about 3 blocks away from the old Snoqulamie railroad grade.
Yup. I know where the Milw tracks were there. I remember that area, before Riverbend was built. When it used to be a flooded swamp in winters. Then they built the dikes. The Milw branch, (The Everett Line), through there, and on the other side at Tanner, was originally a very long pile trestle that was eventually filled. Wilderness Rim is built where a logging spur was before WWI, that once crossed the Line, feeding traffic down to the mill at Tanner. So much more Milw and RR history! It's all around you! Boxcab E50
Did you live in North Bend after the lines were all pulled up in 1990? I take my dog walking up at Rattlesnake Lake and came to realize that the Lake trail is actually the old raod to Cedar Falls, and from what I can tell just past the substation where the road used to cross the tracks is the gate for the watershed. Did the station and the yard sit beyond that gate?
We left in 1999. So saw the changes. Sadly. I watched all the rails coming out. Helped save the depot..... The trail lakeside, is actually on what was the second road. Which was actually on an old logging RR r-o-w. That RR connected to the Milw Everett Line in Cedar Falls (Moncton) yard. The first road ran between the Milw substation houses, and roadmasters/beanery complex. Seem to recall that was changed when I was a youth. Look in the south end of the lake, when water is low late summer. You may still see a fence post or two. Left over from the old town site. The tail track of the wye wrapped around the south end of the lake just beyond the brush. If there is a 1999, or later aerial view of the changed roads, I can try to pinpoint where things were for you. The old substation foundations were still there. As well as the substation homes. And a big oak tree or two. The depot was south of that. Maybe 500 feet? Boxcab E50
Yes the substation foundation is still there. I was up there on monday. I will have to look and see if I can find the oak tree you are talking about. I didnt see any houses up there unless they are beyond the gate. Where were they located in reference to the substation? The substation is the only object i have for a refernce point. I know there was a water tank up there too but I think it was on the south end of the Y which is behind the gate for the watershed.
As you drive toward the substation foundation, and gate, you'd pass the three substation house sites first. These were right along the tracks uphill from the sub. I hope the trees are still there. Be a shame if they were removed. There was no water tank. There was a water column just east of the depot. What many people have mistaken for a water tank, was the old oil tower brick foundation. Which at one time had a steel tank atop. It was just across the yard from the depot. Used during steam engine days. Boxcab E50
I will go up there again on Monday. I dont remember there being any houses up there. I think there are a couple big trees they might be oak. There is now a education center just north of the substation on the same side of the road as the substation. Is this where the houses might have been? The station from what you are describing sounds to me like it might have been right between the education center and the substation. I think the station was on the west side of the main line. Am I correct on this?
When we moved away, there was no education center. So am unfamiliar with that. I do hope that what they have inside is factual. Have seen too many times when "sounds good" trumps history. :teeth: Boxcab E50
I have never been in the education center but it sits about 500 feet north of the substation. I think this is where the houses where from what you desribe. Was there anything that is beyond the gate that I cant get to?
The depot site, yard, and all facilities were TT west, compass south of the sub. I can't remember if they moved the gate. The original gate was about 1/4 mile south of the sub. Past the depot. Beyond which was the old Seattle City Light office, and their private town. Which I hope still stands. Very historic. Unique street lights on lamp posts, etc. We need to find a recent aerial photo to use in this discussion. I'd be able to pinpoint stuff better. Boxcab E50
Well they must have moved the gate cause the one up there now is right after the substation. It sounds to me that the depot and everything was beyond the gate that is currently up there now.
Sounds like they've moved the gate since we left the area. So, yes, the depot, and more was beyond that point. Boxcab E50
Too bad one cant get in there and do some scoping around. I would love to know more about the Cedar Falls area. I mean after all I am only a hop skip and a jump away from there. It's too bad I couldn't have lived there when things were in full swing.
It was interesting! A fair sized rail yard, literally in the woods, out in the midst of nowhere! Boxcab E50
I have been interested in finding another location in the valley. I am looking for the bridge that crossed the Snoqualie river? I think is what it is. If you are heading to Fall City from Snoqualmie falls at the base of the hill when you come around the hairpin corner at the bottom there is a river there. I am curious from that corner where did the Everett branch cross that river. Can I walk into it or is it pretty much in a no access area?
I exactly what you're talking about. The stream is Tokul Creek. Inside the curve, is the old fish hatchery. The Milw RR bridge is upstream. We used to be able to get there, through the gun club. But that changed many years ago. I sure remember all the times steelhead fishing along the river there! At the mouth of Tokul. Downstream near Plum's Landing, etc. Probably the fastest, safest way to get in, is across from the Snoqualmie Falls Lodge. Oops. My age is showing. It was remodeled, and is now named "The Salish Lodge." There is a parking lot across Highway 203 from the Ldge. Just east of that, a road goes up hill. Take that. If driving west, it's a very tight, right turn. Or you can access that road, by turning first onto Mill Pond Road, then turning left up a short hill, and turning right..... Anyhow, a short distance up that hill, you'll cross over a small bridge. (Where many an accident has happened when icy! I knew someone who lost his wife and child there.... ) That road bridge crosses the old Everett Line. Find a place to park, (hope your car isn't vandalized), and start walking! You'll be heading away from the old Weyco Mill. Compass almost north. Timetable is west. Take pictures for me!!! BTW- When there's a *real* flood, and the roads aren't closed, go to the observation platform at the Falls. Quite an interesting, wet and thunderous view! You should have seen it years ago. When the mill pond would overflow. And logs would go downstream. (Many of which came in via the Milw.) Over those Falls. The "floods" you see on the news these days are a joke. A mere trickle, with the same mud puddles in farm fields. Yawn...... Boxcab E50
This saturday, weather permitting, I will be able to report the current west end of the Belt Creek area... I have secured permission to hike it. Stay tuned for pics!
