Expect To Clear W.C. Branch Line

From the "Spokesman Review."

January 19, 1916

Hostling At Othello

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

The 1650 is shown pushing two Bi-Polars into the service tracks at the Othello roundhouse.  The Bi-Polars were long-time passenger train power between Tacoma and Othello. They were noted for their pulling power and ability to run very quietly.  The photographer notes in this June 5, 1948 view that the 1650 is having engine trouble, not otherwise described. The 1650 was an EMD NW-2 1000 hp diesel switcher. They started out life in a basic black scheme but were painted into this orange and grey, with maroon stripe after a couple of years.

Smyrna Mail Crane

Courtesy of John Ball.

A Mrs. Young stands on the platform to place the mailbag onto it at Smyrna in 1918. Placing the mail this way allowed it to be picked up by the train without stopping. A bag would be thrown off the train in return. For a period of time, mail for Smyrna and points around it was dispatched daily except Sunday and holidays.

Signals West Of Othello

When this photo was taken in June 2009, the likelihood of seeing trains west of Othello seemed grim. The tracks were in place, as were the skeletons of the old signals. Weed and sagebrush had grown up along the rails, and nature had otherwise started to reclaim part of the line. The Port of Royal Slope, looking to restore service to Royal City from Othello took it upon themselves to clean up the tracks and fix parts of the line, and are now waiting for an operator of the line to be renamed. The skeletons of the route of the Milwaukee Road are still in place.

Removal Of Othello Yard Tracks

Courtesy of the Othello Community Museum.

In 1980, the extra yard tracks were taken up, with the rail and the ties being salvaged for later use. A few through tracks were kept, to allow what little business there was in town to continue. Above the tracks are the remaining support for the old electrification system, last used in 1971.

Othello Water Tank Demolition

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

The water tank in Othello was no longer needed by the railroad or the city by the 1970s and was carefully torn down to salvage the wood.  The refrigerator cars on the track are for the frozen French fry business that boomed in Othello, and still does today.

Potholes Work Is Progressing

From the "Spokesman Review."

January 30, 1947

1919 Othello Roundhouse Fire

Photograph by Lylah Hodson; courtesy of the Othello Community Museum.

The roundhouse in Othello caught fire in 1919 after the July 4 baseball game in town. The building was a total loss, as were 8 steam engines. The roundhouse was rebuilt as a wood building.

Shell Of The Othello Speeder Shed

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

Edited from an earlier version of this posting based on info from RR.

Not long after the Burlington Northern took over the Milwaukee Road line through Othello, the long speeder shed east of the depot was torn down.