Greetings! I have enjoyed reading many of the posts on here during my online searches for information regarding railroading in the Pacific Northwest. I live in Spokane (grew up in Cheney). I retired last year from 32 years as a Deputy Sheriff/Sergeant (rode the BN's Kettle Turn in the Operation Lifesaver program). I have no model layout at this time I enjoy many of the outdoorsy hobbies: Bicycling on Rail/Trails, geocaching (I'm Jimio on there), shooting (hey, I was a cop, right?), and stuff like that. I've been a RR fan since I was a little kid, with a couple great uncles who were railroaders in these parts. One thing I really like to do is delve into the railroad history around the northwest. I aggravate my wife at times on road trips because, without warning, I'll take off on a side road because I suspected an old RR roadbed, trestle, tunnel or depot was out there somewhere. My favorite lines are, as expected, the ones that passed through the area: GN, SP&S, NP, and MILW. I've biked the Route of the Hiawatha rail trail among others. My most recent jaunts were Spokane to Scribner on the old UP line, and a couple evenings ago for a short bit along the MILW Spokane/Coeur d'Alene run across the Spokane River bridge at the state line. Once I get settled here, I'll have some questions I'm hoping someone can help with regarding a variety of RR topics. Well, that's me, in a big nutshell.
Welcome to TrainBoard! I'm just a few hours away to your east. While on the topic of questions, maybe one day you can help answer a couple I have... Perhaps when you are out exploring, and pass through Milan or Elk, you can spot their ex-GN depots. I swang through a year back and believe the Elk depot is now what the VFW is using. Sure looked GN depot-ish, although modified. But I could not spot Milan, which rumor has as being a house. We have plenty of various forums, so when you have a question, just jump in. Someone usually has an answer!
Welcome! I'm guilty of pointing my Jeep down some dusty path in search of something RR myself, something I call Railarcheology. Welcome aboard!
Hi 107, welcome to the TrainBoard, I'm glad you are on board. I'm not familiar with your part of the country which I believe may be a little west of the Hudson River, but if you have questions about the eastern exremes of the New York Central or the Boston & Maine, just give a holler.
