Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum Damage Update

I just got this from the guy who's been authorized to report the media the extent of damages on the CCR&M.

It looks bad, but they say they should be able to bring it back.

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Chehalis Centralia Railroad & Museum Endures Flooding, Assesses Damages

CHEHALIS, Wa., Dec 13 / -- The Chehalis Centralia Railroad & Museum
has endured severe flooding that struck the Pacific Northwest over the
first weekend of December. Much of the Lewis County region was
flooded, including the rail line that the railroad operates on, as
well as the railroad's museum complex. CCR&M management are still
taking stock of the damages as the water recedes.

As the waters receded over the last week, CCR&M members have conducted
a preliminary inspection of the museum and the Port of Chehalis rail
line over which the railroad operates excursion trains. Some of the
damage observed includes:

Multiple track washouts. Many sections of track have shifted off their
ballast roadbed. In some cases, the roadbed has washed away entirely,
and stretches of track are hanging in the air.

Missing & dislodged materials. Due to the washouts, the railroad has
lost a small number of ties. Crossbucks and other signs appear to be
uprooted and possibly missing in some locations. On the museum
grounds, a few smaller pieces of the depot deck are missing. Smaller
materials, tools, and supplies may be dislodged or missing due to
floating away in the flood waters.

Debris. Some stretches of track are buried under debris, such as
fallen trees, branches, and earth.

Bridges. The railroad is still planning a comprehensive inspection of
the line's bridges. The two largest bridges -- one over the Newaukum
River and the other over the West Fork Chehalis River -- are still
standing and initially appear intact. Further detail on bridges may be
available at a later date.

Fortunately, the CCR&M's collection of railroad equipment was not
seriously damaged. The Cowlitz, Chehalis & Cascade No. 15 -- a Baldwin
"Mikado" type steam locomotive built in 1916 -- was unaffected by the
flood, as the carbarn in which it is stored saw barely twelve inches
of water at the back (deep) end.

The CCR&M is committed to repairing the line. At this point in time,
the railroad is operating under the assumption that the line will be
returned to service in time to operate its normal summer schedule of
excursions in 2008. Railroad management is working actively with
officials from the Port of Chehalis to inventory damages and to assess
repair strategies for the line.


About the Chehalis Centralia Railroad & Museum

The Chehalis Centralia Railroad & Museum is a railroad museum and
heritage railway founded in 1986. Located in the city of Chehalis,
Washington, the Museum focuses on preserving the railroad heritage of
Lewis County and the surrounding Southwest Washington region. The most
famous holding of the Museum's collection the Chehalis, Cowlitz &
Cascade No. 15, a Baldwin "Mikado" type steam locomotive built in 1916.

In addition to preservation, the Museum operates passenger excursions
and dinner trains over nearly ten miles of track belonging to the Port
of Chehalis. This historic line is a remnant of the former Milwaukee
Road branch line to South Bend and the Pacific Coast, and winds
through scenic hills, farmland, and over several wooden trestles.


Photos:

IMG: http://www.steamtrainride.com/photos/poc/poc.2000.web.jpg
Caption: Many sections of the Port of Chehalis rail line, over which
the CCR&M operates regular summer excursion trains, have shifted due
to flood waters.
Location: Near Highway 603, outside of Chehalis, Washington.
Photo: Port of Chehalis. A higher resolution photo is available to
media upon request.

IMG: http://www.steamtrainride.com/photos/poc/poc.2034.web.jpg
Caption: Ray Beaber, locomotive engineer on the CCR&M, inspects flood
damage on the Port of Chehalis rail line.
Location: Near Twin Oaks Road, west of Chehalis, Washington.
Photo: Port of Chehalis. A higher resolution photo is available to
media upon request.

IMG:http://www.steamtrainride.com/photos/poc/poc.2074.web.jpg
Caption: This track wash out is typical of the damage to the Port of
Chehalis rail line, over which the CCR&M operates regular summer
excursion trains.
Location: Near Twin Oaks Road, east of Adna, Washington.
Photo: Port of Chehalis. A higher resolution photo is available to
media upon request.


Contact:
General inquiries to Chehalis Centralia Railroad & Museum: (360) 748-9593
Media inquiries to Alexander Craghead, CCR&M: (503) 347-4059 /
alexander.craghead@gmail.com

 

Adam, that trackwork is going to take some time to correct. I guess, as usual, the reports of No. 15 being flooded up to the boiler were greatly exaggerated.
:tb-mad:

 

I can see that it will take time. The announcement says they intend to be ready for their regular summer '08 season. That seems really ambitious, but maybe they know something I don't know.

If one had just shown me the pictures I would have chalked it up to railroad lines lost this year in the Pacific Northwest.

Adam

 

:tb-sad: :tb-sad: :tb-sad: :tb-sad:
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