Travel through Washington State. December 30^th 2003

A "Delorme Atlas" is an absolute necessity, more so in Washington State than in the other two states. I would also highly recommend to outline the Milwaukee Road grade using a highlighter. It is difficult at times to establish where the grade was in Washington and you will need to refer to other sources. No guide is available at this time but I understand that Mark Borleske is working on one. Many thanks go out to numerous members of MILW@egroups who have helped me in getting this part put together.

A large part of the Milwaukee Road Right of Way in the State of Washington has been turned into the "John Wayne Trail", a continuous hiking/biking trail from the Idaho border to the coast.. "The Iron Horse State Park" extends from Beverly Jct. to North Bend through the Snoqualmie Tunnel. This part of the trail is almost unbroken at this time, with the recent replacement of the decks for the Yakima River and Hall Creek bridges. It is also possible to hike/bike the entire length through the Saddle mountains now. (The Renslow Trestle is still closed off). Also under study is a way to get around Central Washington University in Ellensburg.

For Trail or Park Information Call 1-800-233-0321. Make sure the tunnel is open.

Leaving Idaho on Hwy 60 from the West, which changes to Hwy 274 in Washington State you arrive at Tekoa within a few miles. The Milwaukee Road trestle over this town still dominates the scene. It is very difficult to follow the RofW from here, so use Hwy 27 to Oakesdale and there turn north on Hwy 271 to the junction on Hwy 195. You are almost at Rosalia, location of the unique concrete arch bridges which were covered in an article in the June '99 issue of the "MilWest Dispatch".

The RofW makes a big northward loop to get into the Pine CreekValley, but turn west on Malden Road, just south of Rosalia and after driving over a hill you again rejoin it the RofW. Numerous structures are visible, including grain elevators, other industries and bridges as you approach Malden. You can follow the road to Pine City and Kenova, again noting numerous Milwaukee Road structures. You can follow the RofW for a few miles, but then it will be necessary to return and head south towards St John on Pine City Road and from there west on Hwy 23.

After driving west on Hwy 23 until you get to Ewan. The RofW for Rock Lake is almost impossible to access, being mostly on private land. A picture of the 3 span steel bridge and tunnel #44 taken from across the lake on Miller Rd. (Miller Rd shows going through from Pine City, IF you have a very tough 4 wheel drive and then some). Very few pictures were taken along this stretch even in operative times. Basically no roads follow the RofW from Ewan to Marengo.

Getting to Marengo is very challenging and somewhat beyond the scope for me to write down here. Use your Delorme Atlas. Again, from Marengo to Ralston the RofW is near no roads, and you need to take a rather long drive around to get to Ralston

Thanks to Rick Schwake who sent a photo of the Ralston depot now being used in a field by farmer in very dilapidated condition. There is nothing there except a giant grain elevator which was once serviced by the Milwaukee. It is about 17 Miles to Lind.. The old grade parallels the highway for the whole distance and there are a large number of telegraph poles still standing, making the tracing of the grade easy. Only an old feed place and the large piers crossing the BNSF (ex NP) Main are still visible at Lind.

A few miles west of Lind is Roxboro sporting 2 elevators that were once serviced by the Milwaukee.

At Warden the depot has been moved off grade, right on the main street.. The track from Warden through Othello is still in place and is owned and operated by the Columbia Basin Railway based in Warden. Of interest on a recent visit were large numbers of ex Santa Fes CF-7s, still with Santa Fe heralds. Many industries previously served by the Milwaukee Road are now served by the CBR who connect with BNSF.

From Othello to Corfu and on to Royal City the track is also in place but in very bad shape and owned by the Royal Slope Railway, which has not operated for about 5 years. It is my understanding it is up for abandonment. There is an engine (TSWR 2070) and a tank car at Royal City.

Straight west on 170, turn south on Hwy.17 and west on Hwy.26 to get into Othello. In 1999 2 ex Milwaukee Road rib-side cabooses arrived at Othello, which the local Chamber of Commerce is presently restoring. You can help in this endeavor (as MilWest did) by contributing to: Milwaukee Caboose Account, 33 East Larch, Othello, WA. 99344. Cabooses are located on the NE corner of Broadway and Larch, next to the "Old Hotel". They are connected together, and already sport a new paint job. Other than that little remains at Othello except the tracks and some industries. There is a good view of the yard from the highway overpass on the south end of town.

Heading west on Hwy.26 you can spot Substation No. 21 up on the hill at Taunton. Up a gravel road and a little walk takes you there. It is now owned by Washington Power and their transformers spoil a picture from the west side. There are still various items in poor repair inside, badly vandalized.

The Toppenish, Simcoe and Western apparently operated between Othello and Royal City, but nothing has run there for 2 years or more and word is the line is to be pulled up.

If you want to follow the grade, do not turn northwest with the highway at Taunton but go straight west on a dirt road. This road gets really rough, but leads you along the grade (or near it) to Corfu (nothing there) and the switch to what was the branch to Royal City (Port of Royal Slope RR), which is the end of rail. The road remains very rough until you get past Smyrna and then turns into a good quality gravel road. Remains of the grade are obvious with timber and steel trestles and other signs. The road changes to a paved road and you eventually end up in Beverly.

To access the RofW itself between Smyrna and Othello and some parts east of Warden you will need an Access Permit from the DNR at (509)925-8510.

Beverly is easily accessible, just 8 Miles south of I-90 on SR 243. Not to be missed with the huge bridge across the Columbia River built in 1908. You can see the old grade climbing the Saddle Mountains (Fourth to conquer) on the west side of the river.

Back to I-90, across the Bridge to Vantage and turn south on Hunzinger Road. Go past Gingko State Park. If the light from Beverly was not good for a picture of the bridge it may be better on this side. A mile back from the bridge a gravel road leads up to Doris which has one of the trail-heads for the John Wayne Trail. You can hike/bike between Doris and Boylston, a distance of 13 Miles. Be forewarned, it gets very hot in the summer here, this is desert country, with rattlers and all.

Back to I-90, traveling west, you will pass under the 12 span Renslow Bridge, very impressive to this day. Use Exit 115 to go to Kittitas. The station had been refurbished some years ago, but is now falling into sad disrepair. As well three operator's houses are still standing. Find East Kittitas Road. Cross over I-90, then left on Boylston Road. This will take you to a good photo location for the Renslow Trestle. One mile past here is the Renslow Trailhead. You can use this one or drive a rather rough road to the Boylston Trailhead. Make sure you bring a flashlight. Read a first-hand report between Beverly and Renslow by Mike Faletti who biked this trail.

You can either return to the freeway or wiggle your way into Ellensburg. You can always keep sight of the grade by the Power line that runs on it. There is very little of the Milwaukee Road left at Ellensburg itself. The Washington Central Campus has been built right on top of the grade, and discussions are taking place at this time, for an optimum location for a bypass of the John Wayne/Iron Horse Trail. It should be noted here, that the John Wayne Trail Riders Association is largely responsible for keeping the right of Way of the Milwaukee Road open for the public in Washington State. The freight house was sold and moved and is now used privately as a garage.

West of Ellensburg, stay on Hwy.10. About 7 Miles west you will see where the Milwaukee had an overpass over both BNSF (ex NP) and Hwy 10. A good picture is difficult. As you travel west on highway 10 you can often glimpse the old grade across the Yakima River.

At South Cle Elum you will find Substation No 24 in fair shape and the depot in poor repair. There is now an ongoing project in a partnership with the Cle Elum Restoration Society and Washington State Parks and numerous other interested parties to restore the station. Click here for the Cle Elum Website. Numerous work parties occur throughout the year, along with meetings to explore funding (Dedication sign to donors), volunteering and other matters since September 1999. A series of 5 pictures following the development of the depot. Initiatives and plans for the restoration project. Pictures of the initial official March 25th 2000 dedication here. The three operator's houses are still standing as well and used as private residences. The old crew house is now an excellent B&B named the "Iron Horse Inn" with lots of Milwaukee Road memorabilia. It is located at 526 Marie Ave, South Cle Elum, WA. 98943. Ph. (509)674-5939, Toll free 1-800-228-9246. A direct Link. Not to be missed is the museum that was just recently forced to vacate its premises in Tacoma and has found a new home in the "Telephone Museum" at Cle Elum located 221 East First Street (Main drag across the DQ). Hours are 1200 noon to 400pm Saturdays and Sundays in the summer, but if you call Sarah at (590)674-5702 she will be happy to open it for you on little notice. Excellent Milwaukee Road artifacts.

Leaving Cle Elum and looking on your left (south) you can see the BNSF tracks quite near the freeway, (this is the refurbished Stampede Pass line) and just a little further over the old Milwaukee grade in places with a bridge or two. On the grade at Horlick are the remains of an old coal shed for the use of employees stationed there. Easton, little to see here but a brand new long passing siding for BNSF which was necessitated by the Stampede Pass Crossing.

Traveling further west on I-90, you again see the grade on the other side of Keechelus Lake. Be sure to stop at Hyak where 3 old company buildings remain. There is an old Milwaukee reefer just outside the East Portal of Snoqualmie Tunnel.

Descending from Snoqualmie Pass, be sure to look to your left (south) where you can clearly see the grade, easily picked out by the power lines now located on it along with numerous trestles including the recently redecked Hall Creek trestle.

Use North Bend Exit 32 and turn left to go to Cedar Falls. This is now Rattlesnake Lake Park and also the trailhead for the John Wayne Trail either up to Snoqualmie Tunnel or down to North Bend. Cedar Falls was the junction point for the Everett Branch. Little is left at Cedar Falls except the foundation for the substation

Maple Valley - Only a concrete slab left of where the old depot/PCRR dispatcher's office was.

The Renton Substation is now privately owned, located very near downtown and in good condition. You can also catch one of the original Milwaukee Road Super Domes now being used by the "Spirit of Washington" dinner train. It is not painted for Milwaukee Road anymore and is now named the "City of Renton".

Black River - Only signs of the grade remain.

The Seattle Depot was actually a UP depot used by the Milwaukee Road and is presently under restoration. The freight shed has been razed to make way for the new stadium, replacing the Kingdome.

Tacoma - The Milwaukee Road museum that was located on the second floor of the freight house has now moved all contents to Cle Elum, there waiting to be displayed when the depot is finished.

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