Wednesday, March 26, 2014

WTCX Trip: Cowlitz River Bridge

Continued from Departing Longview.

View of the Cowlitz River from the Weyerhaeuser Woods Railroad (WTCX) at Milco, Washington on May 17, 2005

This view of the Cowlitz River was taken as we started up the bridge approach, near an area known to the train crews as Milco. The West Side Highway (Washington State Highway #411) is in the foreground.

56154116-15 Riding the Weyerhaeuser Woods Railroad (WTCX) at Longview, Washington on May 17, 2005
Approaching the bridge over the Cowlitz River. Photo by Cliff West.

Weyerhaeuser Woods Railroad (WTCX) Cowlitz River Bridge at Kelso, Washington on May 17, 2005
Approaching the bridge over the Cowlitz River.

Weyerhaeuser Woods Railroad (WTCX) Cowlitz River Bridge at Kelso, Washington on May 17, 2005
A better view of the bridge. 

This bridge was completed in 1926. The west approach of the bridge was originally a long wooden trestle; one of the largest in North America. On July 2, 2001, the trestle caught fire, and about 800 feet of the trestle was destroyed. This part of the bridge, the part over the river, was not damaged. This bridge also carries a natural gas line that supplies the Weyerhaeuser mill.

56154116-16 Weyerhaeuser Woods Railroad (WTCX) Cowlitz River Bridge at Kelso, Washington on May 17, 2005
The train starting onto the bridge. Photo by Cliff West.

Weyerhaeuser Woods Railroad (WTCX) Cowlitz River Bridge at Kelso, Washington on May 17, 2005
The train starting onto the bridge.

56154116-17 Weyerhaeuser Woods Railroad (WTCX) Cowlitz River Bridge at Kelso, Washington on May 17, 2005
The train on the bridge. Photo by Cliff West.

View of the Cowlitz River from the Weyerhaeuser Woods Railroad (WTCX) Cowlitz River Bridge at Kelso, Washington on May 17, 2005

The Cowlitz River from the bridge, with homes on the riverbank, and a train of autorack cars on the BNSF mainline visible through the trees.

View of the Cowlitz River from the Weyerhaeuser Woods Railroad (WTCX) Cowlitz River Bridge at Kelso, Washington on May 17, 2005

Another view of the Cowlitz River from the bridge. The Rocky Point railroad yard is visible on the left. The white smoke in the distance is from the mills in Longview.

Continue to Rocky Point Yard

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