I'm down in GA on orders so I didn't get to go to the hearing, but our Historian said the application was approved unanimously. Now that that's done, I can continue with my plan to rehab the exterior of the station and convert the inside into a B and B to preserve it forever! For those interested, I've listed the text of the NRHP application at www.primrosestation.com, my blog about the property (It's fairly long and detailed). It's a good read, thanks to Historian Jon Axline out of Helena for preparing the application.
Nicely written. However I would point out one small slip. In the final paragraph, there is comment about the railroad declaring bankruptcy in 1980. That is in error. They voluntarily entered bankruptcy in mid-December of 1977. I can give you an exact date if needed. I also have copies, some being originals, for many of the second embargo bulletins/notices. The railroad emplaced a second embargo on not only their transcontinental main track, but many other lines, effective 0001 hours, March 1, 1980. That list was later altered with a few additions and lifted embargoes. Withdrawal from the western end required another three and half weeks, during which time there were still some trains operated. BTW- Is there still one of the Primrose substation operator's bungalows nearby? Now, I wish somehow the Ravenna sub could also be saved....
Never knew the substations were designed to operate as depots. Thanks for letting us know and THANK YOU for your work to preserve the substation!!!!! Bless you sir!!
They had bays where an operator might have been seated. However, in those early days, most of those locations already hosted some size of building for use by telegraphers, or larger. After the electrification was in full use, many train order offices were closed, no longer necessary as trains moved across a Division faster. Unless the subs were on rare occasion used as temporary block station, I am not aware of them ever actually being a regular train order office. There was one late in life adaptation. When they realigned the runs to be longer, post-electrification, crew changes were different and they had problems getting trains over the Bitterrroots. East Portal had no usable structure for a depot. So they used the Substation, including installing a color light train order signal. It was not a lengthy time. I have some train orders copied at the substation for that period.
BoxcabE50, the house to the west is the original bungalow, and though it has had a modern addition added in the 2000's, the structure and layout of the original bungalow remains. My mother purchased that property last year and the grandparents moved in too. I'm working down in Arizona right now, but the Primrose Station was featured in the Missoulian last Sunday, and a man contacted my wife that lived there as a child while it was operational. He brought my wife some excellent pictures of the house and station, when I can get them scanned I'll be putting them up! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Primrose station made The Missoulian! | Primrose Station http://primrosestation.com/2014/08/03/him-primrose-station-made-the-missoulian/ Here's a link to the article if anyone is interested... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Here are pics of the pics, my wife texted to me down here. I'll be home in a month and I'll scan them properly and replace these... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That first picture almost looks like passing the depot at Alberton. Was it Michael S who contacted you? If so, you've struck gold! He has also told me a second bungalow still exists. Moved, but still in the area.
