Great Northern Rwy's Mansfield Branch Line (1909-1985) and the Waterville Railway Co. (1910-1974)

Built by the Great Northern Railway in 1909, the 61 mile line branched off the mainline at the Columbia River and snaked its way up across Douglas County, WA to its terminus in Mansfield. In 1985 it was abandoned, thus closing the book on railroading on the Waterville Plateau. This blog is dedicated to preserving the history of the Mansfield Branch Line and Waterville Railway Co., as well as showcasing my scratch built HO scale models.

Monday, April 28, 2025

Coming into Douglas

The morning Jackrabbit Special arriving in Douglas. April 1981 photo by Olaf Rasmussen.

Friday, April 25, 2025

Making the grade

The Sage-brush Limited making its way up the steep grade along the Moses Coulee wall between Palisades and Douglas Creek Falls. Airplane Canyon can be seen in the distance on the left. April 1981 photo by Olaf Rasmussen.

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Coming into Supplee

A morning shot looking back at the train heading into Supplee which is about a mile and a half away. This crew will drop off a few empty box cars and grab a few full ones on the return trip later that day. Next stop after this will be Withrow and then Mansfield. April 1981 photo by Olaf Rasmussen from second locomotive.

Monday, April 21, 2025

On the down grade

The train is descending the steep grade out the mouth of Douglas Creek Canyon into Moses Coulee. Having just exited the tunnel, the train will pass through Palisades siding at the base of this grade and make its way back to the Wenatchee Yard. April, 1981 photo by Olaf Rasmussen.

Thursday, April 17, 2025

March 1986 Speeder Trip

A speeder excursion on the Mansfield Branch one year after abandonment. Olaf Rasmussen photos from March 1986.

Bridge #15 in the background

Ready to enter the south tunnel portal heading on the up grade.

Bridge #15 looking on the down grade.

Douglas Creek Falls

Speeder car on bridge #25. Looking on the down grade.

Grade crossing south of the tunnel

Looking on the up grade with bridge #14 just around the bend. The base of Slack Canyon is just to the right across the creek.

Grade cut north of Palisades.

Cut between bridge #16 and #17

North tunnel portal at Douglas Creek Falls.

Cut just south of the tunnel.

South of tunnel.

Bridge #15 looking on the up grade.

Just north of Palisades.

Bridge #9 looking on the down grade. Around the bend is the tunnel.

South of the tunnel high above Moses Coulee.

South tunnel portal looking north.

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Supplee 1981

A shot of the lead unit making the return trip coming into Supplee in April 1981. Olaf Rasmussen photo.

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Restored depot

This depot was built by the Great Northern Railway for the newly formed Waterville Railway Co. in 1911. It was used by the short line railroad until flooding washed the line out in 1948. In 1963, it served as headquarters for a local trucking company until 1979. It also served as a residence during that time up until the owner died in 2022. In 2024, the depot was restored by the previous owner’s son. Located at 108 S Rainier St Waterville, Washington.