Connell Thinks East Road Best

From the "Spokesman Review."

January 9, 1947

Chasing The CBRW

My photos.

April 20, 2026

Wheeler Turn headed towards Wheeler while crossing I90 at Raugust.

Passing through Bruce.

Passing Koren. I'm standing on the embankment of the SR 26 overpass.

BNSF Connell Turn power was all EMD this day.

Returning towards Warden, passing Buehler Road.

At Coyan Road.

Just north of Bruce. That's Othello in the background.

Coming off the BN built connection between the NP and the Milwaukee Road, the Columbia Basin Railway Connell Turn is nearly home at Warden, WA. You can see the remnants of the NP ramp behind the 651. 

The flyover was built by NP subsidiary Connell Northern, to get over the Milwaukee Road in 1910. After the Milwaukee quit in 1980, BN bought that line between Warden and Othello. At this particular location, they pulled out the NP bridge and built an at-grade connection between the two railroads, which is still in use today.

It's now 7pm and the Wheeler Turn hasn't finished at Wheeler yet.

1910 Connell Northern Facilities Letter

April 30, 1910

CBRW 12 At Bruce

Photo by Lauren Scrafford.

Lauren says:
"Columbia Basin, CBRW 12 switching out the industries at Bruce, WA on August 7, 2025. This was a roster shot taken at one of the crossings at Bruce.

"CBRW 12 is a rebuilt SD9 that was built as Colorado & Southern 832 in April of 1959. It went through 2 mergers with Burlington Northern as the BN 6227 and BNSF 1735. It was retired by BNSF and went to the TCYR 25 before being purchased by the Columbia Basin."

October Connell Turn

My photos.

October 15, 2025

After leaving the Royal City turn at Othello, we went over to catch the Connell Turn on the Columbia Basin returning from Connell.

Climbing up out of Connell, while I am perched on the hill above the Moon Rd. crossing.

Train is approaching the SR 26 overpass at Koren.

I'm at Providence Road. That's Bruce, WA in the distance.

New Power On The CBRW

Most photos courtesy Blaize Merryman.

October 29, 2025

At Connell.

Super secret photo from somebody else. Also at Connell.

At Frischnecht.

At Bruce.

Near Warden.

1979 BN Station Revenues-Portland Division

 

Chasing The CBRW-8-8-25

My photos.

Switching the new Simplot plant at Wheeler.

Passing the NP era water tank at Wheeler. 

Pulling hard at Frischknecht.

Coming down the hill into Connell.

Waiting at Connell while a grain train passes.

Swapping trains with the Lind Turn.

One of the fellows on the chase with me at Connell.

Crossing Buehler Rd. 

Once again at Frischknecht.

Passing Shano.

Crossing a bridge just north of Bruce.

Crossing Lee Rd at Bruce.

Coming through the S curve track that BN built to connect the former NP with the Milwaukee north of Warden. I'm standing on the ramp to the flyover the NP had over the Milwaukee. 

Gaining former Milwaukee trackage north of Warden.

Last Days Of The CBRW

My photo.

August 6, 2025

Here is the Connell Turn returning from Connell at Bridge 171 near Bruce. 

I had chased them from Connell. The sound of 567s in Run 8 coming up the hill to Shano was amazing.

One More Columbia Basin Industry Put In At Bruce, WA

From "The Northwest."

July-August 1959

Bruce Has Few Residents, But A Large Industrial Area

From "The Northwest."

March-April 1963

2012 Bruce Views

Photos courtesy JP3.

June 6, 2012