What branch did the Milwaukee use to get to Raymond? Was the line from Chehallis thru PeEll and Labam the NP or Milwaukee? Thanks Rob
The Milwaukee entered Raymond via the "Willapa Harbor" branch, so named because it was originally built as subsidiary railroad "Puget Sound & Willapa Harbor Ry.", opened to service on November 8, 1915. The line started in Maytown, running to Chehalis on the present trackage, then to Raymond via Joy, West Adna, Ruth, Mays, Dryad, Doty, Sutico, Firdale, Willapa and Raymond. Later timetables made it appear that the branch started in Chehalis, as the Maytown segment was shown as a portion of the subdivision to Longview. The line crossed the N.P. Raymond branch twice, just outside of Chehalis and again near Dryad. Milwaukee Road maintained small, two-story interlocking towers at both of these locations until 1930. One of these towers (most likely the one outside of Chehalis) was cut down to one story, moved and became the interlocking tower at Chehalis Jct. in the mid-1930's. A safe, with the letters P.S.& W.H. Ry., in goldleaf, was used in the depot at Sumner until the station was closed in 1977. It was sold to a Milwaukee Road engineer. C.M.& St.P. took over operation of the line Sept. 1st, 1919. From Chehalis the line closely followed the N.P. branch to Dryad, where they then went their separate ways to Raymond. The line to Lebam was the N.P.'s Allen Miller.
The Milwaukee entered Raymond via the "Willapa Harbor" branch, so named because it was originally built as subsidiary railroad "Puget Sound & Willapa Harbor Ry.", opened to service on November 8, 1915. The line started in Maytown, running to Chehalis on the present trackage, then to Raymond via Joy, West Adna, Ruth, Mays, Dryad, Doty, Sutico, Firdale, Willapa and Raymond. Later timetables made it appear that the branch started in Chehalis, as the Maytown segment was shown as a portion of the subdivision to Longview. The line crossed the N.P. Raymond branch twice, just outside of Chehalis and again near Dryad. Milwaukee Road maintained small, two-story interlocking towers at both of these locations until 1930. One of these towers (most likely the one outside of Chehalis) was cut down to one story, moved and became the interlocking tower at Chehalis Jct. in the mid-1930's. A safe, with the letters P.S.& W.H. Ry., in goldleaf, was used in the depot at Sumner until the station was closed in 1977. It was sold to a Milwaukee Road engineer. C.M.& St.P. took over operation of the line Sept. 1st, 1919. From Chehalis the line closely followed the N.P. branch to Dryad, where they then went their separate ways to Raymond. The line to Lebam was the N.P.'s Allen Miller.
Thanks Allen I have followed the NP line several times along Hwy 6. I was told it was the old Milw line. If anyone knows if it's possable to get near the old Milw line between Chehallis and Raymond I would love to find out. I have taken several photos of some of the bridges still standing that are now part of a hiking path. I will post these phots on the NP forum for anyone interested. Thanks again Rob
There was a covered bridge still standing years ago. Can't think of which station was nearest. Mays? I suppose it collapsed long ago? Boxcab E50
The covered bridge (really half of a covered bridge) was located at Doty, and as far as I know it is still standing. The last time I saw a picture of it it had the words "For Sale" painted on it's side, so it is possible it was sold for the timber in it. The portion from Chehalis to Ruth still has the rails down, as it is the former Curtis, Milburn and Eastern grade out to Curtis. Beyond Ruth to Raymond I imagine the line is heavily overgrown with blackberries and second growth trees, as the portion from Ruth to Dryad was abandoned in 1938 and the portion from Dryad Jct. to Raymond was abandoned about 1974 or so. Allen Miller.
Allen- I have a photo of that bridge. Believe it was you who gave it to me years ago? Will need to dig it out! Boxcab E50
I don't mind at all Ken, go ahead and post the photo of the covered bridge, WH-60 at Doty. I also have a photo of the abandoned bridge, WH-42, at Ruth, which was removed when the CM&E built out to the Curtis log reload. I will attempt to post this photo later when my son comes home (the old caveman is not technologically capable of doing it himself) In the meantime there is another view of this bridge in Scott Barrett's Weyerhaeuser book on the Vail, McDonald operations if anyone has it. As a footnote: When the Milwaukee Road abandoned their portion of the Willapa Harbor branch from Chehalis to Dryad in 1936 they sold the right of way to Weyerhaeuser, who were planning operations in the McDonald area. They only utilized the Milwaukee ROW as far as Ruth, pulling up the rest of the rails to Dryad. Three years later the Milwaukee Road bought back the 150 foot Howe-truss spans over the Chehalis River at Mays and Dryad (bridges WH-52 and WH-58 respectively) and broke them down for transport to Park Jct. on their T&E branch for placement in bridge GG-76 over the Nisqually River to replace a washed out pile trestle structure that had been put in to replace the original Howe-truss structure that was washed out in January, 1918. Allen Miller.
Okay, here is my attempt at posting the bridge photo. This is abandoned bridge WH-42 over the South Fork of the Chehalis River at Ruth, Washington. It was utilized by Weyerhaeuser's Camp McDonald railroad until 1962. I took this photo April 12th, 1975, just months before it was removed to be replaced by a pile trestle for the Curtis, Milburn and Eastern railroad in November.
For reasons unknown, I'd failed to look at the back of this photo. Not as I originally thought, at Doty. In Allen's handwriting, it is WH-42 at Ruth. Boxcab E50
Here is the bridge Ken was thinking of. This is WH-60 over the Chehalis River at Doty, WA. taken at the same time as the one at Ruth, April 12, 1975. About three years ago I talked with someone who had just been ghost chasing in this area and he confirmed that this bridge, much to my surprise, was still standing. If it still exists today it is the last such Milwaukee structure, out of about 20 originally, that still survives. Allen.
Thanks guys! Those are really cool pictures. I love to see some of the structures from so long ago still around! Thanks Keep em coming! Rob
I wish this was a few decades ago. My grade school teacher was born and raised in Raymond. She used to tell tales of the railroads, mills, and logging out there. She passed away about 30 years back. Best teacher in the world. Boxcab E50
Here's one closer to home. My dad used to tell stories of the Milw all the way back to the 30s! Like an idiot I never recored him. I can only rely on my memory, which is far from a tape recorder!:sad:
Rob- Hindsight is marvelous. :sad: I think we all have similar wishes. Let's hope someone can tap into our brains one day. So we can download all those mental images and sounds. Then print out photos and record audios. Boxcab E50
Was just perusing this thread. I had a sudden curiosity about the Raymond branch because of a mention in the Hyrail book. I was looking at satellite photos, and could not really find any evidence of a bridge still standing at Doty. :crying:
As I recall, remnants of that bridge were wiped out in recent years by some major flooding. I believe it was the same year the steam train operation, Chehalis-Centralia Railroad also suffered a huge hit from high water.
