Workers at Camp

Four young men at a work camp for the construction of the Mansfield Branch Line.  This camp was located on the Cavanaugh Ranch just south of Alstown.  Date 1909.  Collection of Richard Karschner.  

The Wenatchee Daily World: November 25, 1909

The Wenatchee Daily World: April 9, 1910

The Wenatchee Daily World: November 2, 1909

1913 Train Wreck

The following write-up was provided by Lois Garrett and Harold Badten.

Train at Douglas Depot

Image from the The Spokesman Review April 26, 1914.

Plowing snow on the MB

A wedge snow plow doing work along the MB Line.  My guess is that this photo was taken somewhere near Supplee by the position of the Cascade Mountains in the background.  It also appears that the main line has been cleared of snow and the plow is on the siding.  Gus Christ photo taken during the 1950's.  Collection of the Wilson Creek Museum.

1955 Aerials

Here are 1955 aerial photos of bridges #20 thru #33 on the MB Line. Source of photos comes from http://www.gis.cwu.edu/geog/historical_airphotos/

Great Northern Railway Section House in Mansfield

This structure was built by the Great Northern to house the section foreman working the Mansfield Line. The small section house resided near the grain facilities/tracks for almost 60 years until its relocation next to the airport 150 yards to the south in the mid 1970's.  In 2012 it was moved next to the Mansfield Museum.  This picture was taken during the 37th Annual Mansfield Lion's Club Auction in October 2014.    

Old Pile Bent

Found this cut off pile bent on a farm just south of Douglas.  This intact bent and several other large bridge timbers from the Mansfield Branch Line were given away by the railroad to avoid having to haul them out in 1986.

The Mouth of Douglas Creek

 At this point on the line, the tracks veer away from Moses Coulee, drift towards Douglas Creek Canyon and begin to head north.  This 1950's photo shows us looking on the up grade with the tunnel a half mile up ahead.  Gus Christ photo.  Collection of the Wilson Creek Museum. 

A man pokes his head out the caboose window while passing a large piece of ice at a location just south of bridge #25.  Water runs out of these rocks at this location still to this day.  Looking on the up grade.  Gus Christ photo.  Collection of the Wilson Creek Museum.

Tight Fit

The train makes its way past ice and rock just south of bridge #25 in the heart of Douglas Creek.  Photo by Gus Christ in the 1950's.  Collection of the Wilson Creek Museum.   

Below is a 2007 photo of the same location as above.  Here is a 2014 photo of the exact same spot, but looking on the up grade.

Men clear rock that has fallen onto the tracks about a quarter mile south of the tunnel.  1950's photo by Gus Christ.  Collection of the Wilson Creek Museum.

Below is a picture taken roughly 50 years later at the same spot on the line.  It appears at some time the rock cut was carved back at a slope to reduce mishaps as shown above.  

Supplee in the 1950's

Railroad workers idle the wedge plow to manually clear snow away from the switch stand at Supplee, Washington.  The top of Badger Mountain can be seen in the far distance.  Gus Christ photo.  Collection of the Wilson Creek Museum.

Great Northern in Mansfield during the 1950's

GN ALCO RS-1 diesel locomotive #184 moves cars along the siding track at Mansfield.   Looking northeast down the main line with the retired depot on the left.  The locomotive was built the same year the depot was retired in 1944 and then scrapped in 1960.  The depot was sold and removed in 1961.  Gus Christ photo and collection of the Wilson Creek Museum.   

Douglas in the 1950's

GN railroad workers perform switching maneuvers in Douglas on a cold winter’s day. Gus Christ photo looking south.  Collection of the Wilson Creek Museum.

While making its way through ice covered rock cuts, this Great Northern Alco RS1 locomotive #184 works in cold weather to pull its load through Douglas Creek Canyon. The build-up of ice and snow on the rocks made for tight tolerances between the walls and the freight cars.    Photo by Gus Christ, a former GN/BN employee from Ephrata.  Collection of the Wilson Creek Museum.  Most likely a 1950's photo since this locomotive was scrapped in 1960.     

Bridge #15

Looking on the upward grade at bridge #15. Gus Christ photo. Date unknown.  Photo credit to the Wilson Creek Museum.  

Ready for Departure

A young lady stands on the Mansfield depot platform ready to depart on the passenger train. Date unknown.  Photo credit Mansfield Museum.

Palisades WA in 1985

A small gathering of people greet the last train to run the Mansfield Branch Line at Palisades on March 2, 1985.  

Mansfield in 1952

Looking southwest down the tracks with the Mansfield Depot on the right.  Picture taken in 1952.  Photo Credit Mansfield Museum.