Grand Coulee Dam Car Skip

Photograph by the Bureau of Reclamation.

This unique photo shows the car-slip in operation during construction of Grand Coulee Dam in 1935. Built on the left abutment of the dam, this incline lowered or raised cars between the Construction railroad, at an elevation of 1310 feet, and the trestle deck, at an elevation of 1180 feet. It allowed critical loads of cement to be quickly placed near the mixing facility.

Photo below courtesy of the Hu Blonk Papers, EWU Archives, Image Number 5-36-11-A3:

Independent Appraisal Of Rail Land Underway

From the "Ellensburg Record."

August 19, 1981

Build A Branch To Republic

From the "Spokesman Review."

August 29, 1899

Adams Board Foe To 'Wayne' Trail

From the "Spokane Chronicle."

May 5, 1981

Royal City Branch Construction Photos

Courtesy Moses Lake Museum & Art Center

The firm of Dravo-Degerstrom of Spokane was the contractor in charge of building the 6 mile branch to Royal City. The work was carried out under the supervision of the railroad’s division engineer, T. M. Pajari. Here is a mechanical tamper, used to help settle the ballast between the ties. This is located along the gentle climb out of the Crab Creek area, but before the heavy grades and horseshoe curve across Red Rock Coulee. Most of the grading for the track was completed in 1966 and the whole project was to cost around $1 million.

Tourist Train Toots Its Own Horn

From the "Spokane Chronicle."

June 27, 1949

Royal City Branch Construction Photo

Courtesy Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.

The first part of the branch curved hard from the mainline, closest to the bottom of the photo, and headed north and down towards the bottom lands along Crab Creek. Royal City is up on the far bench of land, so the tracks had to climb a steady 2.2% grade at one point, with a horseshoe curve as well. This branch was purchased by Burlington Northern in 1980, and now after many years of no activity and purchase by the State of Washington, trains could once again be running to Royal City.

Beet Tonnage Mark Set At Moses Lake

From the "Spokane Chronicle."

October 5, 1951

1970s Royal City Train

Photograph by Wade Stevenson; courtesy of the Othello Community Museum.

A typical mid-1970s local train from Royal City is seen rounding the curve to meet up with the mainline at Royal City Junction.  After entering the mainline, the train will make the short trip back to Othello, where the cars will quickly be inserted into a through freight.