Railworks America

Well, it looks like our household might be landing in Cottage Grove, Oregon even sooner than expected. Can anyone tell me or point me to info about the railroad running through there? Looks like it still provides a little service to some wood products industries, but I don't see much traffic and the Eugene yard is barely more than a ghost-yard.

In my initial research I happened upon the mention of a rare covered railroad bridge... didn't someone mention that in a recent posting here about a route they want to build? I've looked through the Route Design postings but must be overlooking it... does anyone remember this?

Thanks,
Tori

I thought I had read an article in "Trains" that mentioned a short line that ran south from Salem. The line was in poor shape and was being updated. How far south it went I can not say. Live near Salem many years ago. The area has changed greatly in 60 years!

A little google search turned up this on the covered bridge http://www.cottagegrove.org/chambers.html It looks like the only rail game in town is UP ex SP but dont quote me on it some sites say the line is currently owned by Central oregon & pacific. but i did find this on a rail/bike trail using the old Oregon Pacific & Eastern line http://www.abandonedrails.com/Cottage_Grove_to_Rujada This site contains lots of history & photos of the OP&E http://www.brian894x4.com/OPandErailroad.html

That's what I was looking for... THANKS! Can't wait to check out this unique bridge in person.

About the line through town... scanning it on Google Earth, I had to go all the way to Eugene before I found a "live" train in the image, so I'm guessing there's no more than a handful of daily traffic if any.

Toripony wrote:That's what I was looking for... THANKS! Can't wait to check out this unique bridge in person.

About the line through town... scanning it on Google Earth, I had to go all the way to Eugene before I found a "live" train in the image, so I'm guessing there's no more than a handful of daily traffic if any.

The Central is the old SP line over Siskiyou mountains into California and mostly hauls lumber and general freight. Up until about 6 years ago, it was running under semaphores (! and some are still standing!) left over when the SP changed to Willamette pass as the main line. Highway 99 (now I-5) follows the line over the pass. There's some gorgeous areas that would make a nice route.

MadMike1024 wrote:There's some gorgeous areas that would make a nice route.

Was that a hint? lol Hmmmm.... timber, lumber, mountains, semaphores.... that does sound familiar somehow....
Good thing I don't dislike SP like I do the UP... who knows, I'll have to find something to do after I finish the Alleghany ( )

Chambers Covered Railroad Bridge
The reconstruction of the Chambers Covered Railroad Bridge is progressing well. Scaffolding has been installed on the bridge deck to provide a platform to install the upper chords and compression beams which has begun. The access ramp and stair way are taking shape on the River Road side of the river. For current photos and information be sure to check out the Chamber Railroad Bridge website at: www.cottagegrove.org/chambers.html. The bridge is being constructed on the east bank of the Coast Fork Willamette and once the bridge is constructed it will be moved into place over the river. Plans are being made to allow spectators when the bridge is moved into position. Watch for more information about the moving date.


In a related story....

Eagle Scout Project
This week, Facilities and Equipment Supervisor, Russ Kaleese and Public Works Director, Jan Wellman met with Eagle Scout Candidate, Jared McReynolds to review the project Jared has chosen to complete his Eagle Scout Certification. Jared has chosen to paint the late Southern Pacific Caboose that is on display in the Public Works Yard, adjacent to the bike path. Jared has completed extensive research on the caboose to determine proper colors and stenciling. The City will provide the paint, materials, and equipment to complete the job. Jared will oversee a Boy Scout crew of ten young men that will complete the painting, window replacement, and stenciling work. The City is very appreciative of Jared’s efforts to improve the exterior look of the displayed caboose. Jared is a 2011 graduate of Cottage Grove High School and he will be attending Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah this fall.

Toripony wrote:Eagle Scout Project
This week, Facilities and Equipment Supervisor, Russ Kaleese and Public Works Director, Jan Wellman met with Eagle Scout Candidate, Jared McReynolds to review the project Jared has chosen to complete his Eagle Scout Certification. Jared has chosen to paint the late Southern Pacific Caboose that is on display in the Public Works Yard, adjacent to the bike path. Jared has completed extensive research on the caboose to determine proper colors and stenciling. The City will provide the paint, materials, and equipment to complete the job. Jared will oversee a Boy Scout crew of ten young men that will complete the painting, window replacement, and stenciling work. The City is very appreciative of Jared’s efforts to improve the exterior look of the displayed caboose. Jared is a 2011 graduate of Cottage Grove High School and he will be attending Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah this fall.

That is a good thing. One judge up in Ft Smith,Ar sentences misguided youths to serve out their community service time working at the Ft Smith trolley museum.Where they spend an enjoyable day getting a hands on history lesson. http://www.fstm.org/

Toripony wrote:Was that a hint? lol Hmmmm.... timber, lumber, mountains, semaphores.... that does sound familiar somehow....
Good thing I don't dislike SP like I do the UP... who knows, I'll have to find something to do after I finish the Alleghany ( )

No, it was a reminder to me, but... One could do it as it is, no big names at all and retain all the character, semaphores and so on.

The tunnel at the Sikiyou summit was a wood lined job, and they had a fire several years ago. It shut the line down into California until it was repaired.

Cottage Grove once had a nice RR museum, and ran an excursion train called "The Blue Goose". The little Prairie type steamer that pulled it went to Virginia City, NV for the Virginia and Truckee. The movie folks filmed 'Emperor of the North Pole' (Ernest Borgnine and Lee Marvin) on the Blue Goose.

Toripony wrote:Eagle Scout Project
This week, Facilities and Equipment Supervisor, Russ Kaleese and Public Works Director, Jan Wellman met with Eagle Scout Candidate, Jared McReynolds to review the project Jared has chosen to complete his Eagle Scout Certification. Jared has chosen to paint the late Southern Pacific Caboose that is on display in the Public Works Yard, adjacent to the bike path. Jared has completed extensive research on the caboose to determine proper colors and stenciling. The City will provide the paint, materials, and equipment to complete the job. Jared will oversee a Boy Scout crew of ten young men that will complete the painting, window replacement, and stenciling work. The City is very appreciative of Jared’s efforts to improve the exterior look of the displayed caboose. Jared is a 2011 graduate of Cottage Grove High School and he will be attending Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah this fall.

Now that is really cool. Nice to see still some Scouting left. Most kids think it's "nerdy" but I was an Eagle and Junior Assistant Scout Master. I learned a lot about life and skills in the Scouts.

I was a cub scout, but they 'not-so-politely' asked me to leave the boy scouts. Something about a bad influence.

Was only three badges away from Eagle. Had my project approved and ready. Then I turned eighteen. After that I did a tour as an Assistant Scout Master.

I've helped on several Eagle projects its good to hear about them.

I almost made Eagle, but in the end I just ran out of time. Wish I woulda tried a little harder, oh well, it is what it is. Just did the calling for the color guard for my friend at his Eagle Court of Honor earlier today though, he's one of two guys in my patrol who made it that far, although I did a lot of extra leadership and staffed BSA's National Youth Leadership Training (here it was known as Pine Tree) for years and years. This was my first year not doing it, as I got a little to busy trying to make it through high school. Speaking from the standpoint of an 18 year old, yes, Scouting can be "uncool", but I think I learned more about myself and what kind of person I want to be than I ever would have anywhere else.

AT ANY RATE, this area looks really cool, and I did a little research on it (couldn't find anything not mentioned yet :P). Looks like a really neat area, lotsa history. And a little rail traffic is better than none. Had no idea you were moving Tori, best of luck in your new coordinates. Hope to see your new locale flesh itself out in RW somehow, someday *wink wink-nudge nudge*.

I was a cub scout, but they 'not-so-politely' asked me to leave the boy scouts. Something about a bad influence.

Must have been the boy scouts! Same thing happened to me, indicating a trend towards persecution of independent thinking.

JackD wrote:Must have been the boy scouts! Same thing happened to me, indicating a trend towards persecution of independent thinking.

There must be a difference between west and east coast troops. We had (and I know of other troops which had) bullies in ours. It was up to us to settle the score... and it _was_ settled in the end.