Milwaukee Road in the 21st Century

JKD Jul 11, 2007

  1. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    That sure reminds me of an ALCo C-415!
     
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  2. PGE-N°2

    PGE-N°2 TrainBoard Member

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    Yes it very much does. There was someone on another discussion site trying to design a 3D printed C415, and even a custom chassis to power it, so someday I may have see how to do a Milwaukee C415. Even though the Milwaukee didn't really go for second-generation Alco power, they did go for oddball locos, and Weyerhaeuser also operated a couple C415's around Tacoma that the Milwaukee Road crews saw on a regular basis.
     
  3. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    CM&E ALCo C-415 number 684 was famous in the area. Railfans chased it constantly.
     
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  4. PGE-N°2

    PGE-N°2 TrainBoard Member

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    So were the Tacoma Hill helpers as I understand. I wonder if they would have lasted into the 21st century?

    I doubt BNSF would have allowed the Milwaukee access onto the water level route south out of Tacoma, but maybe they might have been granted access on the line that is currently being upgraded for Amtrak.
     
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  5. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hmmm. Interesting thought. I would guess not. More likely something else such as MP15ac or GP38-2 by the year 2000. But, who knows?

    I believe there was a detour or two through the Ruston route. With traffic levels as they are today, BNSF would likely be grumpy about that idea, and I believe that is also at least part of why the Amtrak route change. Yet I'd wonder what lawyers might argue about the mergers and Gateways agreements? With no business on the line to Morton, the new link for Amtrak could be an idea. But those pushing higher speed commuter rail and more passenger service might object. Isn't there still a shipper up around Frederickson/Hillsdale areas? If not, today there would be little remaining justification for those lines- except the Mount Rainier Scenic folks might be unhappy.
     
  6. PGE-N°2

    PGE-N°2 TrainBoard Member

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    I keep being inspired by the paint scheme of the Arcelor Mittal Mines Canada (Cartier Railway).

    The combination of orange and grey actually seems to scream 'Milwaukee Road'.

    http://www.railpictures.net/photo/337824/

    Just imagine this was a nice photo location in St.Paul Pass, :(
     
  7. PGE-N°2

    PGE-N°2 TrainBoard Member

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  8. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    Dang, love it when an old thread like this comes back to life!!(y)
    Never seen this thread before, so read it all, and I gotta' say, the part of where the "Modern Milwaukee" could possibly relocate they're lines here in the Kent-Renton area got my mind doing double time-some very valid ideas!!

    Good thread all, and some great ideas for The Milwaukee!!:rolleyes:
    Keep it alive!!:D
     
  9. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    As far as the paint scheme, I'd imagine the Art Danz scheme woulda' still been around, like UP's scheme has since the lates 30's, I believe.

    I'm sure management woulda' stuck to EMD as mainstay of motive power, but until the mid-90's when GE got more dependable, the old Dash-9's and newer power coulda' been in Orange/Black as well, (even though the old mechanics at Tide Flat Yard's cringe when you mention the letters "G-E"!), powering Lines West trains. SD70's, MAC's, and newer EMD's all would be magnificent to see here in the Kent Valley still in Orange/Black.

    Sometimes at night, when Uncle Pete is rolling by at night in the darkness on the same tracks as the Hiawathas and Boxcabs, I can almost picture those locos in Milwaukee colors, heading to Tacoma........;)
     
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  10. PGE-N°2

    PGE-N°2 TrainBoard Member

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    Orange and black looks good on anything!

    I'm pretty sure if the Milwaukee was still around, the lines in Renton and Maple Valley would still be in place. It's pretty hard to move a railroad line once it's in place, although they did just sort of relocate the old Milwaukee line heading south from Tacoma for Amtrak service and replaced the poor old wood trestle. Would they run freight on the same line?

    Probably the most controversial section would be the street running in Renton, but seeing modern transcontinental trains running through the streets would be pretty jaw-dropping!
     
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2018
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  11. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    They could probably still run freight on the new Lakewood line,(I think Tacoma Rail still serves the line from the southend), just at night when no Sounders or Amtrak will be running, and in Renton, BNSF still runs about one train of Boeing fuselages to the Renton plant two or three times a week.

    Pretty short trains though, compared to a full size train rolling thru, might upset the locals!:D
     
  12. PGE-N°2

    PGE-N°2 TrainBoard Member

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    Go ahead, and upset the locals. If it was still there, that line through Maple Valley would be pushing 100 years old, or more.

    It was there long before the locals were.
     
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  13. PGE-N°2

    PGE-N°2 TrainBoard Member

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    Maybe these came from a different timeline, but I managed to get a couple of Jeff King's locos recently.

    20181110_163338_HDR.jpg

    20181110_163337_HDR.jpg
     
  14. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    Soooooo, a friend texted me these yesterday....... IMG_20190105_074625_01.jpg IMG_20190105_074629_01.jpg
    Anyone have more info, cause this is awesome!!
     
  15. SLSF Freak

    SLSF Freak Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Just checked...from the Metra Facebook page they posted this yesterday (01/04/19): "Today, KYD crews pulled Locomotive 405 out of the paint booth wearing Milwaukee Road heritage colors. It will soon run along the Milwaukee District Lines in homage to the once-mighty Milwaukee Road from which the lines get their name. First revenue service for this locomotive will begin sometime this month."

    so cool!
     
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  16. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    That is epic!!(y)(y)(y)
     
  17. PGE-N°2

    PGE-N°2 TrainBoard Member

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  18. PGE-N°2

    PGE-N°2 TrainBoard Member

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  19. PGE-N°2

    PGE-N°2 TrainBoard Member

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