Western Railroad Discussion > Last Trains on former Milwaukee Road Metaline Falls Branch

Due to new FRA bridge inspection rules, the Pend Oreille Valley Railroad has ended all train traffic just north of Usk,,Washigton to Metaline Falls,Wa.Originally this was the Milwaukee Road Metaline Falls Branch.Because  freight traffic was nonexistent and only the Lions Club excursion trains used this segment, the inspections and any upgrades were  cost prohibitive. At one time Lehigh Cement and Vaagen Bros Lumber Mill provided a substantial amount of traffic until the early nineties.The first image is the excursion train power running around their train in Metaline Falls with the Lehigh Cement silos in the background on 10-23.The second shot is the  obigatory view of the last train over the famous Box Canyon Bridge.The third picture is the deadhead move to Usk from Ione on 10-26 alongsde the Pend Oreille River.This portion I am told ,has had only light engine moves in the last twenty years.This is the final train over this segment.Both days were experienced by dreary weather to fit the somber occasion.Bill Webb

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Very NICE shots of a sad occation. Nice bridge shot!

Larry

Bill, those are going to be some rare shots one day, sad to see that scenic line without traffic.

Out

Great photos, Bill. Thanks for sharing,

Ryan

And before the Milwaukee, it was the Idaho & Washington Northern.

Bill, thanks for the look. Sorry we missed you at Altamont this year.
Dave in Msla