BNSF Hi-Line (Shelby-Havre) coming to TS 2020

[dr1980]

I noticed going WB toward Shelby you can see the remains of an old ROW. Here is is on google maps:

https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Shelby ... 1447?hl=en

A lot of it has been reclaimed but you can follow it along back to the mainline again...I'm curious if this was an old alignment for the mainline, or was it a branch?

It's really interesitng what pieces of the old ROW are still visible and which are not.

[GreatNortherner]

I noticed going WB toward Shelby you can see the remains of an old ROW. ... A lot of it has been reclaimed but you can follow it along back to the mainline again...I'm curious if this was an old alignment for the mainline, or was it a branch?

As far as I know, this was the old mainline. There are more spots like this between Havre and Whitefish where the mainline got straightened. You can still find the original ROW as dashed lines if you download the oldest available 7.5 minute topo maps from the USGS (1960s-70s for this area). The interesting quads that I could find regarding old RR grades are Sage Lake, Gildford, North Lothair School, Lothair Galata, Devon (those last four are about the line in your link above), Squaw Mountain, and Summit.

Cheers
Michael

[dr1980]

Thanks! And a nice piece of detail to have in the route.

[Schnauzahpowahz]

Honest question, hows Havre pronounced

Is it like Brett Favre where most folks say "Far vuh"

[GreatNortherner]

Honest question, hows Havre pronounced

Wikipedia has this to say: "HAV-ər"/ "ˈhævər".
Now, that's the first time in quite a while that I see an IPA but can't drink it!

[QcRail]

Honest question, hows Havre pronounced

Wikipedia has this to say: "HAV-ər"/ "ˈhævər".

OK, guys- pull the plug on this one + and Wikipedia does not have it any better.

Nowhere in the Shakespeare English can you match Molière's intonation - simple, the English language does not posses that specific sound nor does the wikipedia breakdown of the 2 syllables is correct. First of all, the first syllable is a simple sound, even for Anglos, it's «Ah». The second, its where, the battle is LOST. One, you have to roll the R in combination with the V to produce a rather harsh sound as if expelling air and the «e» is silent good luck! The closest analogy would be «vroom» «vroom» without the oom

Don't even try to argue, French is my native language. On a historical context, many French names were used by French Canadians, often fur traders (Toussaint Charbonneau), who were even at the service of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Interesting to note that «Havre» means a refuge peaceful and tranquil. So, is it a proper choice for this site?

Note. Usually French are just as horrible when speaking English and you should try to pronounce my sir name

I just love this forum, QcRail

[BNSFdude]

Havre? I don't even know 'er!

[dr1980]

I always say it in my head as if it’s in French, I guess that comes with being Canadian, even an Anglo Canadian!

[mindenjohn]

So do I, it probably originates from Le Havre, port on the Seine in Northern France.

[QcRail]

So do I, it probably originates from Le Havre, port on the Seine in Northern France.

Let's say that the French port is a good example of adaptation through nautical exchanges. Etymologically, Havre traces back to mid-Dutch meaning « port » (and other equivalents: Danish «havn» and German «Hafen»). The meaning of shelter is to be found in English with «haven» or «refuge», from the same origin.

The beauty of railroad is the nostalgic and magic of travel - people, places and cultures.

QcRail

[Schnauzahpowahz]

So... Hav-argh

[AmericanSteam]

The Havre and the Havre nots.

[GreatNortherner]

Hi all,

A quick progress update about the backdating project for the Hi-Line route. Track and scenery changes are progressing well, the route already looks properly old now. I eliminated the modern double track section (single track all the way!), added long gone passing sidings and elevator spurs (Galata, Joplin, Fresno), and deleted all the modern grain elevators and their tracks (Havre, Rudyard, Chester, Shelby). Havre's engine maintenance area got rebuilt (the turntable is back next to the diesel shops), Havre and Shelby yards have slightly different layout (generally shorter but with more switches) and different track numbering, too.

This should be ready for release fairly soon now.

Meanwhile, here are a few screenshots to highlight some of the changes and to show the route's new look:


Havre Yard - notice the absence of the big grain elevator in the background.


Shelby east switches - quite different track layout in those days. The depot had two platform tracks and the mainline from Great Falls connected directly to track 2 (easy access for the Shelby-GF passenger trains). As in Havre, the big concrete grain elevators aren't built yet.


Shelby east, view in westward direction - roughly where the gigantic concrete elevators are today. The stock yard is verified from GN maps, the elevator or its location is likely fictional.


Galata isn't a ghost town yet. The grain elevator is still in use and there's even a passing track here, albeit a rather short one at just half a mile in length.


Joplin: the elevators are still there today. Rewind a few decades and you can service them by rail again.

Cheers
Michael

[jalsina]

The work looks wonderful. I appreciate much what you are doing. Thank you.

[Fireexplorer249]

This looks great! Can't wait to run some Great Northern again!