Howdy all, I'm currenltly planning a trip to Idaho and would like to know what there is to see in Boise and Sandpoint. What shortlines are in between? Where are any locos on display? What are you're favorite photo spots nearby? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all.
The BNSF FUNNEL!!!!! Lake Pend Oreille bridge from Sandpoint, the Granite Lake line relocation (the large cut and huge fill near Athol, ID) from '64 by the NP, recently double-tracked in spots...
John- Try this site for "Funnel" stuff: www.icehouse.net/funnelfan/ Between Boise and Sandpoint, there is a little to be seen in "shortlines." The remnants of the Camas Prairie RR. Now "Camas Prairie Railnet." In SE Washington you'll find both the Palouse River & Coulee City, and the Blue Mountain RR. Both of these are owned by Watco. You might learn more at their web site. Don't have that URL handy right now. In the area south of Coeur D'Alene Lake, Idaho, you'll find the St.Maries River RR. Which operates a portion of the ex-Milw main line, and a former Milw branch line. In NE Oregon, I believe this past year, someone acquired all or part of the old UP Joseph Branch line. But I have no more information on that. In fact, would be curious about updated input! Boxcab E50
If you are going to go to Boise, Start at the east side of town on the Boise Cutoff of UP's Oregon Shortline and see the Morrison Knudson locomotive rebuilding facility. It's been renamed as the company has been sold, but it's still there with lots of neat old engines being rebuild. I got to tour it on an NMRA convention in 1990, and they were rebuilding F7's and F9's that were wearing Santa Fe Warbonnet paint. There were all kinds of Diesels there. Also about 100 old passenger cars like Hiawatha cars and stuff. Real neet! Big yard that is easilt photographed from outside the facility. Following west along the north side of the river is all kinds of neat old closed down facilities like 1800's brick factory, the old prison, and more. Continue west then head north from there, following signs towards Horseshoe Bend. The town is about 30 minutes, that has a small sawmill and a real nice chip loading facility owned by Boise Cascade. It's a UP Branchline, and if you follow the line another 30 minutes or so you get to Cascade Idaho, where there is a real nice Large Sawmill. Also a Boise Cascade facility, there are always lots of trucks coming down out of the mountains, and lots of logging cars of all types in the small yard there. In between the 2 towns are all kinds of interesting team tracks, small fuel oil companies, and other interestabillia to see. On the way back, turn to the right just outside of Horseshoe Bend, and follow the tracks along the river 45 minutes to Emmit and see several nice grain elevators and other farming type rail facilities. From Emmit, follow the signs towards Eagle, then to Nampa. There is a real nice yard there, neat old station that is now a model railroad club, a small but interesting pit turntable, and an old brick icehouse (the icing platform fell down), and lots of other neat stuff to see. It's best to plot this all out on a map that shows the tracks as well as the roads. The UP Oregon Short Line, Boise Cutoff, and Cascade Branch all make a nice drive, but at this time of year, keep an eye on the weather, because if it dumps, all you will see is white!
Thank you all for all youre great info!!!! Exactly the kinda stuff I was looking for. Don't worry, trip isn't until next summer.
