Western Railroad Discussion > In a Very Remote Corner of the Rail Network

In the far northeast corner of Washington State is where a Milwaukee Road branch ended it's attempt to reach Canada. MILW's plans were thwarted by the rugged Pend Oreille River Gorge north of Metaline Falls. Even though the line failed to become a through route, traffic from mines, lumber mills and the Leigh Portland Cement Co sustained the line through the end of the Milwaukee Road Era. With the end of the MILW, the county acquired the line to keep traffic moving and sustaining the industries that are so important to the region. Thus was born the Pend Oreille Valley RR, originally a Kyle operation, but now independent. Much of the traffic is now gone from the line north of the Newsprint plant at Usk, WA, but since the 1980's the Lions Club has sponsored popular train excursions on several weekends a year. These excursions operate between Ione and Metaline Falls over the spectacular Box Canyon Bridge and multiple tunnels and smaller trestles.

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR

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There will be another set of trips in the last weekend of August, and three weekends of fall color rides in October.

http://www.lionstrainrides.com/

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR

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Spectacular country Ted. Great imaging.

Michael McInerney
Marion, South Australia,

GREAT pics!!! Thanks for sharing. Pics 1 and 3 are my favorites!!

Beautiful shots, especially #1.

Beautiful country. Thanks Ted.

Jim

Great scenic area. I still am amazed at the building of those trestles.

Beautiful location and shots! That bridge is spectacular.

Great series of shots, Ted. That first shot is really outstanding.

Thanks for sharing,

~Ryan

Those are some very well done pics.

Thanks Ted for taking us on a spectacular tour of this beautiful area. Really enjoyed your high quality pictures.


Larry

Interesting post, I've seen the bridges and the dam but could not figure out what was going on up there.

Puts the emphasis on WOW! Especially 1 & 3! Where can we get more info?

Rob

Never knew of this place, and thanks for showing us, Ted. Wonderful shots.

We happened by accident on the Lion's Club special event a few years ago and eagerly bought tickets and enjoyed the trip very much. The day we road a local group held up the train while we were stopped on the bridge, showing the passengers a bolt they had supposedly removed from the bridge. If we donated to their cause generously they agreed to replace the bolt. It was all a great act of course and quite amusing.

It is even more impressive going over the bridge in a motorcar, stopping of course in the center for pictures. There is no walkway on the brigge, off the ends of the ties and into the drink.
Peter W
Belgrade, MT

Love the fact it is a former GTW GP9R.

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