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.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Mansfield Depot in 1947

GN Steam Locomotive #1147

Henry Gallaher standing next to GN loco #1147 in Mansfield around 1947. This locomotive now sits at a park in Wenatchee Wa.

#1147 blowing steam near the Mansfield Depot. 1947

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

The Wenatchee Daily World: October 11, 1909

Waterville Railway bid awarded and ready to start construction.

The Wenatchee Daily World: July 20, 1908

The Wenatchee Daily World: July 31, 1908

Waterville Railway Co. Ticket and depot photo

Original never used Waterville Railway Co. ticket. c. 1948

1911 photo of the Waterville Railway Co. Depot.

Douglas: Then and Now

You can see the depot in the 1949 and 1990 aerials. This depot was one of the last Burlington Northern structures on the line until it was burned down in Dec. 1993. It lasted almost 9 years after the line was removed. The structure just the the right of the depot on the 1949 aerial was used as an automobile ramp. It was removed in the early 70's.