January 15, 1924
This site features daily historical railroad posts from the Big Bend/Columbia Plateau region of Washington state. As a personal site, this is my online filing cabinet of interesting things I've come across about railroading in the area. Thanks for stopping by!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Dill's Bill May Open Way to Build Wenatchee-Kennewick Railway
From the "Spokane Chronicle."
January 15, 1924
January 15, 1924
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Map of Proposed GN Branch to Peach
Shown as "Miles" on the map.
One person commented when asked about this branch: "This, I presume, would be GN's stillborn Hawk Creek Branch. It left the GN mainline at Bluestem and was intended to run to Klaxta and/or Peach on the Columbia River. Parts of the line were graded in 1913 and can be seen in several places west of SR 28 between Bluestem Creek Bridge and Davenport. I haven't explored north of Davenport. As far as I know, track was never laid on the grade. I'd be pleased to learn why GN aborted the completion of the line."
One person commented when asked about this branch: "This, I presume, would be GN's stillborn Hawk Creek Branch. It left the GN mainline at Bluestem and was intended to run to Klaxta and/or Peach on the Columbia River. Parts of the line were graded in 1913 and can be seen in several places west of SR 28 between Bluestem Creek Bridge and Davenport. I haven't explored north of Davenport. As far as I know, track was never laid on the grade. I'd be pleased to learn why GN aborted the completion of the line."
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Milwaukee Road Block Circuit Rings
Courtesy of Allen Miller
Allen adds: "Wayside phones were able to connect to either the block phone circuit, to ring up the depot, section foreman, substations, etc. using the ring code chart that was normally posted inside every box, or written in pencil on the inside wall or door panel.
Or, with the throw of a knife switch, you could contact the train dispatcher direct on the "DS" phone circuit. Some would turn the crank handle, making one l-o-n-g ring, that would just make a rumbling sound on the dispatcher's phone, but may have actually rang a bell in the dispatcher's office, I'm not sure about that. Anyway, it was not necessary as it was an open circuit and one only needed to press the talk button on the lineside phone and ask "Dispatcher?" for him to answer.
On the Coast Division, although they were gradually weeded out over the years, there were still many of these phones in operation right up until the end in 1980 on the main line. Most branch lines were phased out by the mid-1970's, replaced in section houses by commercial telephones where service was available."
Allen adds: "Wayside phones were able to connect to either the block phone circuit, to ring up the depot, section foreman, substations, etc. using the ring code chart that was normally posted inside every box, or written in pencil on the inside wall or door panel.
Or, with the throw of a knife switch, you could contact the train dispatcher direct on the "DS" phone circuit. Some would turn the crank handle, making one l-o-n-g ring, that would just make a rumbling sound on the dispatcher's phone, but may have actually rang a bell in the dispatcher's office, I'm not sure about that. Anyway, it was not necessary as it was an open circuit and one only needed to press the talk button on the lineside phone and ask "Dispatcher?" for him to answer.
On the Coast Division, although they were gradually weeded out over the years, there were still many of these phones in operation right up until the end in 1980 on the main line. Most branch lines were phased out by the mid-1970's, replaced in section houses by commercial telephones where service was available."
Monday, July 18, 2011
Early Ephrata Depot
Courtesy of Allen Miller
Allen adds: "The first is what must have been the first telegraph office at Ephrata. The picture is dated 1896 but, in reading your blog, it must be more like 1901. Showing the half-box car station with tar paper applied externally to keep out the drafts. Note the old style sign with the period after the name. Also the old "swift style" train order signal and the telegraph wires going in one side of the station and, after going through the instruments, would exit out the other side of the office and back onto the telegraph poles. Note that there are two dogs lounging on the depot platform along with the men, a boat in the wagon and a trail through the sagebrush to the town in the distance. A far cry from the spacious 200 foot long depot that was eventually placed there."
Another view of the same vintage recently appeared:
Allen adds: "The first is what must have been the first telegraph office at Ephrata. The picture is dated 1896 but, in reading your blog, it must be more like 1901. Showing the half-box car station with tar paper applied externally to keep out the drafts. Note the old style sign with the period after the name. Also the old "swift style" train order signal and the telegraph wires going in one side of the station and, after going through the instruments, would exit out the other side of the office and back onto the telegraph poles. Note that there are two dogs lounging on the depot platform along with the men, a boat in the wagon and a trail through the sagebrush to the town in the distance. A far cry from the spacious 200 foot long depot that was eventually placed there."
Another view of the same vintage recently appeared:
Saturday, July 16, 2011
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