Harris film 022 part 2

[@milwaukeetrainman9880]

1970's freight. Yes!

[@gumup]

Chumstick not Chum Stake. Freight labeled as Nason Creek is actually two mile east of Merritt, WA. Very cool seeing an agent at the Skykomish Depot and a train order signal. I've spent a great deal of time photographing trains on Stevens Pass and this film is a treat.

[@LeeWitten]

Jon Bentz, thanks for the correction and place identifications. Appreciate it. I'll update my master copy of this film.

[@gordonvincent731]

I was a ATSF engineer out of Denver on the Joint Line 1978 to 1981. I had that engine 6302 on a BN welded rail train out of Denver one morning. I remember this because I turned it over to a FW&D engineer at Pueblo, who then turned it over to an ex-RI engineer at Trinidad. That is dark territory there. A flash flood took out a bridge and the train went into the river. They couldn't get them out until the water went down.

[@LeeWitten]

Gordon thanks for relating that story. I enjoyed reading it. Always nice to have anecdotes from viewers like you. My dad was a UP conductor...1938 to 1974. Ogden to Green River, Wyo. I don't think he was ever in a wreck. He didn't talk much about work. He wasn't a rail fan, it was just a job.

[@gordonvincent731]

@@LeeWitten Thanks you for your kind reply. I was both a fan and an employee. Most days it was a job, but some trips it was great when I would get an SP engine on the point, or, operate ALCo's, so it was a bit of both worlds.

[@LeeWitten]

@@gordonvincent731 A Sad note about my dad. He was 60 and ready to retire in January '75 but he died of a heart attack in October '74, so close to retirement that he never got to enjoy. A shock to us all. I'm glad you had a satisfactory career.

[@SteveJohnson-SD70MAC-747]

These videos are so cool! Just love watching early BN trains, and especially getting to see them in the Northwest. Keep the films coming....I'll definitely be watching!

[@LeeWitten]

I'm so glad you're enjoying them.

[@douglaspolinder9232]

Lee, another home run for you and Mr. Harris. The early part of the film is the more arid eastern side of Stevens Pass. The western side was somewhat scenic but too often the weather did not cooperate, with clouds, rain, and fog (that was the summer--in the winter the summit of Stevens Pass averages 440 inches of snow a year). My family would drive from Western WA and vacation on the east side of the state once a year just to remind ourselves there was a sun. The rail line on the western ascent also was not very accessible from US Hwy 2. Please note that at 4:40 the correct name is CHUMSTICK. This is actually the informal name ("Chumstick Cutoff") of the new line finished in 1929 to bypass Leavenworth and the treacherous Tumwater Canyon of the Wenatchee River and offer an easier gradient up to the new Cascade Tunnel. Foss River Bridge at 8:00 is an interesting place. It is on the 2.2% grade between Skykomish and the west portal of the Cascade Tunnel and is on a 10 degree curve. The outside rail of the curve on the bridge needs to be replaced about every three years because it wears heavily from the descending trains wearing the rail. This portion of the pass was electrified until 1956. In 1941 a descending train lost its brakes and the head electric locomotive went off the end of this bridge, was destroyed, and had to be rebuilt completely. Cascade Tunnel's west portal is now notched to allow for the passage of double-stacked containers. It is nice in this clip to see the arch in its pristine condition as it was built in 1929. I love the vintage 1960s (and even 1950s) freight cars. In 1973 most of BN's fleet came from its predecessor roads, and as late as 1966 over 60% of GN's fleet was built in the 1950s. Thanks again.

[@LeeWitten]

Thanks for the information and the correction. I'll change my original file.

[@Balerio2357]

Beautiful footage again Lee, nice work! - Balerio

[@LeeWitten]

Thank you Balerio. Now on to film 023. I think it will of the Washington area but more variety of roads including Amtrak.

[@AlikStansberry]

What are your thoughts on “precision scheduled railroading”? And is it bad for the railroad industry?

[@LeeWitten]

I'll have to look that up, not familiar with the term.

[@daylightbigboy]

Awesome footage! I do love the early BN! Say, how much longer was Harris's pacific northwest trip? Seems like he took quite a bit of footage!

[@LeeWitten]

He did make several trips to the northwest. #23 is in Yakima and Columbia River, #24 is in the Blue Mountains of Oregon. Then #25 shifts to the Rio Grande and the RG Zephyr.

[@daylightbigboy]

Lee Witten Wowee, he sure did a lot of filming on this pacific northwest trip!

[@dmoneygc2086]

6:25 & 7:20 That would have been some ride!

[@LeeWitten]

Good catch! I missed that.