Simpson Logging Raiload, Shelton WA

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

I'm New to this forum and I think it's a great thing to be a part of!

I have no layout currently, and no plan yet. Just ideas, but thats where it all begins, right???

I'm most interested in modeling the Simpson Lumber Company's operation out of Shelton, WA, and was wondering if anyone new of any web links that have information on route, right of way, equipment rosters, history, etc. My searches have turned up very little, and the weather here is bad enough this time of year that I don't want to walk the ROW! And I don't know how friendly they are to trespassers!

Thanks... Rey from Elma, WA

[coalminer3]

They had Climax locomotives. You can find pictures and related information in Thompson, Dunn and Hauff's book, The Climax Locomotive. The book is pricy, but an unparalleled source of information. As far as I know, it's still in print. I bought my copy when it first came out, so can't say for sure

Hope this helps

work safe

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info, CoalMiner3. This particular part of Simpson's RR is actually still in operation!

My idea is to model the present day. I think the most they do nowadays is move logs from the Port of Shelton to the mill, which is only several hundred yards away and from a staging yard 6 or 8 miles in the direction opposite the Port. I think they also transfer raw product to a mill in McCleary that makes doors, as well as allow PS&P to utilize trackage on their treks from Chehalis to Bremerton Shipyards.

I'd like to find a map or route book of sorts that shows mileages, sidings, crossings, interchanges, blocks and all that stuff. Terraserver is great, but when the track runs in the woods, it just dissapears!

I'll seek out "The Climax" book, however, and see what can be gleened from it!

Thanks!

Rey.

[Hillyard]

Not exactly an answer to your question but you might be interested. . .
Trains magazine had an article on it sometime in the last 5 years.
Sorry I can't remember the date issue. What interested me were the red & black SW 7s [1200s?] modified to include dynamic brakes just in front of the cabs. Just a little different from the run of the mill switchers.
BTW do you know whats happening with the OLY brewery property?

Hillyard
Salem OR.

[Hillyard]

forgot to mention in my last post, this is one of my favorite websites: Western Shortline Rosters.
see specifically for Simpson:

http://www.trainweb.org/rosters/SSTX.html

Hillyard

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Hillyard

Not exactly an answer to your question but you might be interested. . .
Trains magazine had an article on it sometime in the last 5 years.
Sorry I can't remember the date issue. What interested me were the red & black SW 7s [1200s?] modified to include dynamic brakes just in front of the cabs. Just a little different from the run of the mill switchers.
BTW do you know whats happening with the OLY brewery property?

Hillyard
Salem OR.

Well, I'd sure like to get a hold of that TRAINS issue!!! And yes, I agree with you on the interesting ( I think homemade) dynamic brakes. Also, the spark arrestors are interesting. I think every loco has a different style! They seem to keep their motive power up pretty well. Every time I see a locomotive, it looks nice and clean (washed, perhaps by the rain?). Their rolling stock is something else though. WOW! DE-CRE-PIT! But I'd sure like to model it.

As far as the Oly Brewery, Miller Beer Co. has closed it down. They seem to be letting it sit there in reserve for when the beer drinking capacity of the NW increases to a point where production will resume (if you can believe that!). They have not announce any thing but have kept on a skeleton maintenance crew of I think, 4 people. Shame to see that place shut down, It was an icon in this area. They've also fenced off the majority of DesChutes Park, which is a shame as well...

If you figure out the year of the SSTX issue, please let me know!

Thanks.

[jrbarney]

Rey,
This may be the article you're looking for - "Letting daylight into the swamp," Trains, May 1997, page 80,Simpson Timber’s railroad on the Olympic Peninsula. ( "BACHMAN, BENJAMIN B.", LOGGING, STX, WASHINGTON, TRN ) I found it by using STX as the entering argument/search term in the index of magazines at this site. There were also several articles cited about their rolling stock. You should be able to get a repro copy via Customer Service at this site, or you can look for a used copy in your LHS or online. Hope this helps.
Bob

[Anonymous]

Right-on! Thanks Bob, I'm going to check it out right now!