Update on NP depot in Ellensburg.

[Greg Lussier]

Hello,

My name is Greg Lussier and I am currently working on a prototypical Milw Rd. layout in which a portion of it will be displayed at this year’s Kittitas County fair with the Heritage Center. This year’s event will be on historic railroads in the Kittitas area and the impact they had. Anyhow, I was also told a little news about the NP depot, below is a copy of the message I received from one of the events organizers.

Below is a copy of the message Pam sent me (who is in charge of the exhibit).

"Greg,

As it so happens, I'm secretary of Historic Ellensburg. Our group has been the main catalyst in trying to obtain the Northern Pacific Depot from the 3 owners who let it sit and rot for several years. Just last Monday, the Ellensburg City Council announced at the City Council Meeting that it had been successful in convincing the owners to sell the Depot to the City. The contract has been signed. The City will fullfil its end of the deal by repairing the roof of the building. Upon completion of damage repair, the City will then sign the building over to Historic Ellensburg. At that time we will begin renovation of the building. I'm hoping that an architect's rendering of the restored depot will be available for the Heritage Center Display over Labor Day. Historic Ellensburg has a Depot Committee already at work. You can let your Railroad friends know that the Northern Pacific Depot in Ellensburg will be historically restored to its previous grandeur. We are most proud to undertake this activity. "

[BoxcabE50]

That's fantastic news!!!!

Thanks, Greg!

:D

Boxcab E50

[SDP45]

But what about the caboose?

[BoxcabE50]

graemlins/wow.gif I'd forgotten all about the ex-NP caboose. Is it still there? Is the semaphore still there? Both are precious assets!

:eek:

Boxcab E50

[SDP45]

I'll try and find out tomorrow. I have to visit the CWU library for some research on another railroad.

[SDP45]

I'm sorry. I was not able to check out the status of the caboose.

[BoxcabE50]

:eek: Darn! Well, maybe you'll be back in that area soon?

Boxcab E50

[Greg Lussier]

guys I'll forward this question to the heritage center as well. Otherwise I am planning to go to renslow this next week. if i have some extra time I'll check on it. is it near the depot?

[SDP45]

The caboose should be across the parking lot from the depot. Last time I saw it, it was painted BN green and yellow, but with no markings.

[Kevin M]

There is also a BN caboose at the Thorp fruit stand, I saw it last summer, it is on a slight tilt though, but lloks to be in OK condition.
Kevin D Mumaw

[BoxcabE50]

Originally posted by popularthinks:
is it near the depot? As you approach the depot, from the east, it's on the left/south side of that street.

smile.gif

Boxcab E50

[BoxcabE50]

Originally posted by Kevin D Mumaw:
There is also a BN caboose at the Thorp fruit stand, I saw it last summer, it is on a slight tilt though, but lloks to be in OK condition. I haven't stopped there since 1998. Don't recall it being on site at that time. Wonder where it came from? Something else for Greg to check out!

smile.gif

Boxcab E50

[SDP45]

The caboose at Thorp is still there.

Don't forget the bunch up on Snoqualmie Pass too!

[Greg Lussier]

Looks like I will be heading out tomorrow.

thanks for all the info guys. I spoke with the heritage center and they said the NP caboose is still there and as far as they know there are no plans to move it.

I'll check into this other one.

[BoxcabE50]

Is the caboose at Thorp, possibly the one that had been down by the old NP depot?

graemlins/headscratch.gif

Boxcab E50

[SDP45]

No. The one at Thorp is a wide vision type.

[Kurt Moose]

Originally posted by SDP45:
The caboose at Thorp is still there.

Don't forget the bunch up on Snoqualmie Pass too! I've never seen those, where are those located? graemlins/headscratch.gif

[BoxcabE50]

Originally posted by SDP45:
No. The one at Thorp is a wide vision type. The one up by the fruit stand? The one down by the old depot was a wooden type.

smile.gif

Boxcab E50

[BoxcabE50]

Originally posted by Kurt Moose:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by SDP45:
The caboose at Thorp is still there.

Don't forget the bunch up on Snoqualmie Pass too! I've never seen those, where are those located? graemlins/headscratch.gif </font>[/QUOTE]Kurt-

I don't know where all are. But there was at least one located just down hill from the lower Hyak ski area parking lot. There was a road to it from the parking lot. That one belonged to a fellow from Edmonds.

smile.gif

Boxcab E50

[Greg Lussier]

I got some pictures of the caboose by the NP depot. it is in sad sad shape. It looks like it was painted a while ago in a red color that is now washed out pink. Windows are all broken or boarded up. There is a fence around it as well. not sure if that was there before the vandals took it. As soon as i scan the picture i'll post it. Also took some pics of the depot. it is in bad shape as well. I hope the city is able to restore these.

I forgot to check out the throp one. I am heading back that way this weekend. I will try to remember to check out this one and snap a pic.

[BoxcabE50]

If the building has a solid foundation, and isn't overtly collapsing, it should be just a matter of money, and people getting involved.

I've seen some that looked like a feather landing on the roof would cause the end of it all. And now they are restored. Look great.

smile.gif

Boxcab E50

[Kurt Moose]

I had forgotten all about the Thorpe depot until you just mentioned it! :rolleyes: I went thru there on one of my Milwaukee hunts a few years ago and saw it. Looked ok. It was an antique store or somethin, can't remember. I remember when the South Cle Elum station looked like it would fall over in the wind, and now it's better than ever!! graemlins/222.gif

[Greg Lussier]

Pictured here are the NP depot in Ellensburg and the caboose that sits behind it. Also pictured is the wig wag in front of the BNSF newer depot/office just next to the old one.

http://atw_music.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/other/np1.jpg
http://atw_music.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/other/np3.jpg
http://atw_music.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/other/np2.jpg

[BoxcabE50]

Any ideas why the brick pavers are being removed? Or worse, stolen....

:sad:

Boxcab E50

[Greg Lussier]

It looks like the work of plain old vandals to me ken...

Most of the original brickwork is gone on the ground as well. It has become home to what looks like prairie dogs. I saw them running in and out of the building through a hole.

[BoxcabE50]

I was afraid of this answer. Tells me a lot about the effort to preserve it. If there is one... It's getting off to a poor start.

:cry:

Boxcab E50

[Greg Lussier]

I don't think the city has full control of it yet. I believe the deal is suppose to close sometime either this month or in June.

[BoxcabE50]

There may be nothing left, if they don't hurry up. The costs of restoration could rise exponentially....... They must understand that time is not an ally. It's the enemy.

:cry:

Boxcab E50

[HemiAdda2d]

Ellensburg? Is this in Washington, or in Montana? I'm thinking this is at the base of Mullan Pass on the western slope of the Divide...

[Greg Lussier]

hemi-

sometimes we'll find duplicate names in different states. As far as montana I'm not sure...

But the ellensburg we are speaking of is in Washington, just west of kittitas and the renslow trestle I have built. The depot is on the old NP main that runs directly parallel (for the most part) the milw in Ellensburg. However, as it moves further east it as moves south towards Pasco.

[BoxcabE50]

Ellensburg? Is this in Washington, or in Montana? I'm thinking this is at the base of Mullan Pass on the western slope of the Divide...

In Montana, you're likely thinking of Elliston.

:D

Boxcab E50