At Bonner's Ferry, we drove down by the BNSF and UP tracks to see if anything was around. Caught UP 5510 going past what looks like a depot, but I'm sure it's used for crews instead. One more as it headed southbound to Sandpoint. Notice the low hanging clouds in the background, they sure made for some beautiful scenery! While down in that area, we came across some MOW guys working on crossing arms. Guess someone had hit them with their car. The UP 5501 (not to be confused with the 5510 that just left!) was sitting in the siding apparently waiting for them to finish working. As we sat by the MOW guys and the river, I spotted a road up on the hill that overlooked the whole part of old town. Convincing the others in the truck to bare with me for a bit, we drove up the hill and with some help from Google maps, I ended up finding that overlook spot. As I got out, the 5501 started moving. MOW guys getting out of the way
heading out across the Kootenai River how awesome would it be to have that house in the middle of the picture?! One last shot before it was time to go. As that train headed the 30 or so miles to Canada, we all headed back to Sandpoint. In the coming days, the clouds went away and the sun came out strong, as well as the trains. -Mike
Great photos, Mike. I especially like the last one with the train crossing the river as part of a larger panorama. That's the feeling I enjoy creating with N-Scale scenery. Thanks.
Yes. That was the depot/train order office at Bonners Ferry. It was built by the Spokane International RR, to replace their old version, which was in declining condition. There once was a twin structure also in Sandpoint. This building is now in poor condition. If you look at the siding, you'll see where it is rotting. And yes, the section crew you photo'd by the bridge uses it. These days it has no other purpose but for some storage, and condition says it may not be there much longer. Did you talk with that secton gang? Nice guys. If not busy, they'll gab with you.
