Western Railroad Discussion > Eastern Washington Gateway RR Finale

EWG, 2007-2018. So ends an interesting chapter in shortline railroading, but the next one is just about to start. The EWG for all it's faults and shortcomings, did serve is customers well. But the realities of shortline railroading are both hard and harsh topped with a good dose of politics and fate. An insatiable appetite for capital and little mercy for mistakes, railroads will overwhelm the best of intentions with their demands. But in the end, the politics of a state owned railroad is what brought about the change from one railroad to another. NIWX 328 was the survivor, the last operable locomotive as turbo issues repeatedly sidelined the other motive power. Saturday Bruce Butler was in charge of the last EWG train, a Geiger Turn moving loads to steel yards in Airway Heights, and empties back to Cheney. While in Cheney the locomotives for the new Washington Eastern RR (two SD40-2's and a GP30u) were spotted to be watered in the next few days.

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/05/18 00:14 by funnelfan.

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Nice coverage of another fallen flag which never got to create a unique identity.

I see that C40-8 #9129 that was used on the EWG is already listed for sale at Ozark Mountain Railcar.

Hope the next chapter lasts for a long time Ted. Nice to see the Cheney Depot is still there. Think I like the darker blue of the old MRL unit better than the strong lighter blue of the new units.

Larry

Hope the next RR won't have to face the many natural challenges that the EWG faced.. such as the nasty wildfires several years back. I wish all the employees well.

Don't think that the question of rehiring existing employees was ever answered, are they?

Out

callum_out Wrote:
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> Don't think that the question of rehiring existing
> employees was ever answered, are they?
>
> Out

In other words, do you still have a job Ted?

Larry Dodgion
Wilsonville, OR

callum_out Wrote:
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> Don't think that the question of rehiring existing
> employees was ever answered, are they?
>
> Out

All the employees still working for the EWG at the end where rehired by the new company including myself. We did have one young conductor that went to work for the BNSF at the start of the month.

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR