Just to let everyone know, the Milwaukee Road bridge over the Skykomish River in Monroe, Wa on the old line from Cedar Falls to Everett has been dismantled due to fear it is falling and will cause a major log jam if flooding occurs this winter. My dad used to play on it in the 1940's as a kid when all the local kids would jump in the river on hot days! It used to be one of the few covered bridges in Washington. One more piece of history gone.
I was on that bridge, winter of 1977-1978. The river was flooding due to a fast snow melt. Water was rising so fast, we barely made it back out with the company truck! (Via the park on the north bank.) Woods Creek was backing up, as the Sky rose up. Why was I there? We were working a contract from the Corps of Engineers. Doing cross sections of the entire Snohomish- Snoqualmie- Skykomish- Sultan- Wallace Rivers, and more drainage areas. Flood control stuff. Working out on that bridge, was a bit un-nerving. Logs and debris hitting the piers. The impact sounds, structures creaking, and how the bridges would shake. Not something I've ever forgotten. This was only 5 years after the last train. So other than arson fire damage on the south end, it was still very solid. Yes. I have a slide or two. But still no scanner! Boxcab E50
One other note, I was up in Port Townsend, (looking at your name thingy), over the last weekend, and the railroad barge dock that went out in the water that the Milwaukee built is now gone too.
I'd heard that. Bummer. Well, at least we have our memories, a few pictures and artifacts. One of these days, when Hiway 101 between PT and PA is jammed, some genius will lament lack of alternative (rail) transportation..... And I'll be laughing at them. Boxcab E50
Sad news indeed.... http://www.nwcn.com/statenews/washington/stories/NW_080405ENBtresleKC.40641d80.html I never realized that it was a covered bridge: Maybe I need to tweak my layout design to include it..... Cheers Dirk
It was a covered bridge. But that had been gone for many decades. There were covered bridges scattered around western Washington on the Milw branch lines. The most unique was on their Enumclaw Line. Over the Green River at Kanaskat. Boxcab E50
Here in Bellingham WA there is a car ferry dock that can still been seen. Part of it has fallen in over the last 7 years but it is still here.
Always sad to see more of the ghosts of the Milwaukee disappearing.. We'll mark your words, Ken.. I'll bet the PA/PT problem arises its ugly head within a decade...
They're already having problems. And complaints. (Whining.) If you knew more about the jokers heading government up there, you'd easily understand their troubles won't go away soon. As those fools cannot see- THEY are the problem! :sad: Boxcab E50
