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First, let's get it right: It was the Great Northern Railway, not Great Northern Railroad. [quote]QUOTE: Originally posted by kenneo The SPS line between Pasco and Spokane was abandoned because the BN did not want to pay for the replacement of those huge trestles along the Snake where they climed out of the Snake to the Palouse. Until they decided to abandon, it was the Eastbound main between Pasco and Spokane and the NP main was the Westbound main.[/quote] Directional operation varied on the old BN First (NP) and Fifth (SP&S) subs depending on the latest assessments by management as to which was the most efficient route for loaded trains. At first westbounds used the First sub. Toward the end of the Fifth sub's life, most westbounds were handled on the old SP&S. Annual flooding of the SP&S right of way near Cheney, Wash., during the spring runoff was as much a factor in the decision to a abandon the Fifth sub as anything -- that and BN's typical short-sighted management during the 1980s. The huge steel viaducts at Burr, Box, Cow Creek, Wilson, and Bouvey canyons, while in decent shape, were costly to maintain. Replacement was not a key factor. [quote]QUOTE: And speaking of grades, it has always amazed me that the BN did not purchase the MILW between Ellensburg and Tacoma, and use it as their main stem, abandon Stampede, and relegate the GN line between Spokane and Everett to secondary status. In fact, there are several places where the BN could have used the MILW and downgraded the NP line between Terry and Tacoma.[/quote] BN did purchase that right of way, and then did nothing with it except tear up the ties and rails, then sell the right of way to the state.
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