MB Line Trip 5-11-12

Trip on the MB Line between bridge #33 (Kelly Davis Crossing) and bridge #17.  There are links below under each of the pictures to help you with bridge locations.  About a 5.5 mile trip one-way through this part of the line.  Here is a MAP  (the other half of the map) to help you with bridge locations as well.  Enjoy.

Looking on the down grade just a little east of bridge #20.  At Duffy Creek.

On the down grade between bridge #20 and #17

On the down grade between bridge #20 and #17

On the down grade between bridge #20 and #17

Looking on the up grade between bridge #20 and #17

On the down grade between bridge #20 and #17

Looking on the up grade between bridge #20 and #17

On the up grade between bridge #20 and #17.  Bridge #20 is just around the bend.

Abutment wall remain from bridge #24

Between bridge #24 and #25

Standing on a rock cut between bridge #25 and #26 looking on the down grade.

Between bridge #25 and #26 on the up grade.

Between bridge #26 and #27 looking on the down grade.  Pictures of the line washed out in this area.

Between bridge #26 and #27 looking on the down grade

Between bridge #26 and #27 looking on the up grade

Between bridge #26 and #27 looking on the up grade

Between bridge #26 and #27 looking on the up grade

Between bridge #26 and #27 looking on the down grade

Between bridge #27 and #29 on the up grade on a curve

Looking on the down grade between bridge #30 and #31.  On a curve.

Looking back on bridges #31 and #32.  Standing high on the county road at the Kelly Davis Crossing looking on the down grade. 

1984 Train Nearing Douglas

Google Earth aerial showing the locations of the pictures below

Train passing Joe Burton's Farm about 2 miles outside of Douglas.

Another shot of train at Burton's Farm.

Wide shot of train about 1.75 miles outside of Douglas.


Pictures by Alan Loebsack 1984

The Wenatchee Daily World: October 1909

Opening bids for the Waterville Railway Co.

Train departing Mansfield

Train getting ready to leave Mansfield on June 14, 1981.  Photo by Tim Repp

June 14, 1981 in Moses Coulee

Train crossing bridge #3 between Appledale and Palisades.  Picture by Tim Repp

Fighting the grade

June 14, 1981 photo.  This train is bucking quite a grade as it is ready to enter the south portal entrance of the tunnel.  Tim Repp captured this great shot.  2009 photo of same location.  Here is a 2009 view taken about where the locomotives are in the above photo looking back at the south portal entrance.

A few words

L to R: Philip C. "Scotty" Watson (Central Washington Grain Growers' Manager at the time), Alice Jacobsen (local farmer) and Edna Slusser George (local historian) say a few words about the line on the front of a locomotive.  "Last Train" ceremony taking place in Doulgas, March of '85.  Anita Sprauer photo. 

Last train to leave Withrow

This March 2, 1985 photo by Anita Sprauer shows the last train on its way out of Withrow

Tunnel Location with 2011 Aerial

Started construction on this tunnel 1908.  It was 770' in length built through solid rock and was timber lined.  In 1945 the timbers were replaced.  In 2000 a part of the tunnel collapsed.



Bridge Loations with 2011 aerial

Bridges 4,5,6,8,12,13,18,19 and 28 not shown.  Bridges 4,5,and 6 were still in use when the railroad was abandoned.  Their waterways have since be filled in.  Bridge 8 just south of the tunnel was removed in the 30's.  Bridges 12 and 13 were removed after the flood of 1938.  They were located at the base of Slack Canyon.  Bridges 18 and 19 were removed after the flood of '48.  Bridge 28 was removed after the flood of '38.  The track was realigned to the other side of the creek. 

March 2, 1985 in Douglas

Burlington Northern Crews are seen here backing the train up and maneuvering their caboose onto the Douglas Siding so it can be lashed up on the end.  Locals are seen along the Highway 2 grade crossing watching the last bit of railroad action before this train leaves, never to return.  Tim Repp captured this “Last Train" shot on March 2, 1985.  The locomotives that they used on this last run were GP39-2 #2730 & #2738.  Here are some more "Last Train" pictures from March 2, 1985. And a couple more.  2009 photo of #2730.  2010 photo of #2738

1909 ROW track plans of Bridge #1

This is a 1909 Great Northern Right-OF-Way track plan showing bridge #1 on the MB Line.  From my research, ROW acquisition began as early as 1906 to obtain all the property needed to build the line.  This bridge was located 2.5 miles from the start of the branch line at the Columbia River Siding on the main line.  To see more ROW plans on this line click here.  

Map of Mansfield Branch Line

This is a map I created in AutoCAD

On the down grade at old McCue Siding

June 14, 1981 photo showing BN low nose GP-9 #1741 and BN high hood GP-9 #1805 holding back a load.  This train's rear end is just passing over bridge #10 on the old McCue siding with bridge #9  up ahead and then the tunnel.  McCue siding was abandoned in 1965.  Photo taken by Tim Repp. 

2010 photo of same location as above

Quad-City Herald: Oct 27, 1983

Quad-City Herald: May 6, 1982

On the up grade near SR28

Two geeps pulling empties up the grade near the SR28 overpass.  These locomotives had just crossed Bridge #1 and is ready to past under the highway overpass.  Picture taken in 1983 by John P. Henderson.  This picture is taken about halfway between the Columbia River Siding and the Bon Spur Siding.

Brewster Herald: October 16, 1909

Quad-City Herald: January 21, 1982

Waterville Railway Company: Resolution of the Board of Tustees 1974

Bridge #25 in 1938

Provided by the Skykomish Historical Society

West End of Mansfield Siding

John Henderson photo.  1983

Bridge 11 wiped out

1938 photo showing washed out bridge.  Provided by the Skykomish Historical Society.  Check out this 2010 photo of Bridge #11 taken on the other side looking south. 

Withrow in 1977

My dad and brother playing on a Great Northern Box car in Withrow.  July 1977

Bridge #33

Train crossing brige #33 on the MB Line on the down grade.  Alan Loebsack photo.  Date 1984.  Other pictures from this area of the line.

North Portal End

Late 70's look of the Tunnel in Douglas Creek.  Picture by Alan Loebsack

Between Supplee and Douglas

Aerial photo of train location

Here is what that section of abandoned ROW looks like today.  Photo by Alan Loebsack

Braking on the Down grade

BN GP9's #1743 (lead engine) and #1713 bring loaded box cars down the Mansfield Line near Douglas Creek Falls area.  The box cars are still exiting the tunnel on the south portal.  These locomotives are probably using heavy dynamic braking to control the load.  This picture was taken in August of 1983.  Photo provided by John Rust.