I don't know much about the 2 GN electrics based in Skykomish. Years of service, end points and the ultimate purpose, etc. Can't find much written. Any help appreciated. Thnks
At one time or another, all of their electrics worked east from Skykomish. They varied through the years. When you say "two", you must be referencing the last two bought. Those being the W-1 Class, #5018 and 5019.
I wanna say the original electrics were started in the late 1890's, from Cascade Tunnel station on the east side of the original Cascade Tunnel on the old line thru to Wellington. Starting with the small "Z-class motors", then the bigger "Y-class" came along in the early 1910's for more power. As the GN had a horrible time with snow and maintainence on the snowsheds all over this line, and a couple of tragic accidents due to snow, they built the new 7.79 mile long Cascade Tunnel thru Cowboy Mountain at a way lower elevation. This is when the line was electrified down thru Skykomish, and continued east to Wenatchee at the east end of the division. About 1947 is when the GN recieved the two "W-1" class big electrics, and all served until 1956 when the Big fans were added at the east end of Cascade Tunnel for ventalation. Then the electrics and all were scrapped.
The book "The Great Northern Railway-a Pictorial Study" by Charles R. Wood is a great book for the history of the area.
Contrary to fables by the raving GN foamers, their routes across the western mountains were incredibly poorly engineered. The original line between Kalispell and Jennings (east of Libby), was a complete disaster. If you visit it today, it is obvious as to why. (I can give you a first hand tour.) The same for their original route crossing the Cascade Mountains. Massive snowsheds and their maintenance required. The Wellington Disaster, etc. This operation was not even close to being the 'Eighth Wonder Of The World', as some blindly believe. The eastern electrification end, (by ETT direction), was Appleyard, in South Wenatchee.
Yup, there's a reason why both those routes were closed! The only one worse line over the Cascades was Stampede on the old switchbacks, and that only last a year.
There were temporary switchbacks on a few mountain crossings on the northern transcons. NP had switchbacks on Mullan and Stampede Pass, GN over Stevens Pass. There might be more I'm missing.
There were switchbacks over Bozeman pass also. The roadbed used to be visible from the interstate 20 years ago.
