Atlas Series The morning Montana Rail Link gas local approaches Paradise as they continue west to Thompson Falls. The gas local is a tank train the hauls Conoco Fuels between Missoula and Pipeline. Pipeline is just east of Thompson Falls. This train fills a missing link in the Yellowstone Pipeline that crosses through the Flathead Indian Reservation after the lease wasn't renewed. The Yellowstone Pipeline runs between Moses Lake, Washington and Billings, Montana. In 1995, the Salish and Kootenai tribes did not renew the 20 year lease to cross tribal lands due to over 70 spills since the pipeline was built in 1954, including three major spills on reservation land. So this gap has been bridged by rail and white tank cars over the 10th Sub. 31 Jan 2016 History of Montana Rail Link’s Gas Train – Historical Railroad Geography Series The Yellowstone Pipeline runs 531 miles across three states between Billings, Montana and Moses Lake, Washington. The 10-inch pipeline was finished… Travis Dewitz 2 Comments
Atlas Series 22 Dec 2015 Rice Lake Tower – Historical Railroad Geography Series This abandoned tower once protected the crossing of the two parallel routes of the Chicago and North Western and the Soo… Travis Dewitz
Atlas Series The Norfolk and Western Railway's coal hauling right of way once followed the course of the Tug River between Welch and Davy. In 1903, the railroad started a major rebuilding project to straighten out portions of the Pocahontas Division and prepare for future double tracking. Just a year later, two tunnels were constructed roughly a mile norwest of Welch, known as Hemphill. Hemphill originated as a name of a siding, likely named after Secretary of the N&W, A.J. Hemphill in 1894, which eventually evolved into a community. The two tunnels named Hemphill Tunnel No. 1 and No. 2 respectively were cut through the Appalachian Plateaus Physiographic Province, a region characterized by deeply incised plateaus underlain by flat-lying sedimentary rock. The railroad grade was raised during this realignment to avoid the common flooding of the Tug Fork which it crosses three times in this short stretch. The realignment shaved off 2.4 miles from the previous wandering Tug Fork route. Double tracking was completed here in 1909. The N&W CPL Signal can be seen by trains exiting the west portal of tunnel no. 2 that guards Farm, a well known railroad location where a large coaling tower still stands. Today, helpers wait assignments to shove heavily loaded coal trains east up the steep steady grade. 19 Dec 2015 Hemphill Tunnels – Historical Railroad Geography Series The Norfolk and Western Railway's coal hauling right of way once followed the course of the Tug River between Welch… Travis Dewitz 1 Comment
Atlas Series A lone Canadian National locomotive pushes a large cut of bulkhead flat cars loaded with logs over the Flambeau River. They will cut off the three rear cars at Besse Lumber Company just south of the river before heading back north on the Superior Sub. 09 Dec 2015 The Logging Roots of Ladysmith – Historical Railroad Geography Series Logging in northern Wisconsin was booming in the 1880's through the early part of the 1900's. This industry isn't anywhere near… Travis Dewitz 1 Comment
Atlas Series 21 Jul 2015 Canyon Diablo – Historical Railroad Geography Series Hell Street was an appropriate name for this lawless place. It was lined by fourteen saloons, ten gambling houses, four… Travis Dewitz No Comments
Atlas Series 20 Jul 2015 Chicago’s New High-Rise Tunnel to Union Station – Historical Railroad Geography Series An outbound Metra passenger train departs the north side of Chicago Union Station. This view is from under the new… Travis Dewitz No Comments
Atlas Series 20 Jul 2015 Where the Wisconsin Central Transportation Corporation Turned Two Mainlines into One – Historical Railroad Geography Series A trio of General Electric locomotives hustle this train north to Canadian National's Pokegama Yard just southwest of Superior, Wisconsin.… Travis Dewitz 1 Comment
Atlas Series 20 Jul 2015 Bozeman Pass – Historical Railroad Geography Series On July 15th, 1806, part of the Lewis and Clark expedition led by Sacajawea traveled along an old buffalo trail… Travis Dewitz No Comments
Atlas Series 20 Jul 2015 Paradise, Montana – Historical Railroad Geography Series A place where it all comes together, Paradise, Montana. It is March, 2015, a strong wind whips the falling snow… Travis Dewitz 3 Comments