Steam on the Chelatchie Prairie: Conclusion

Locomotive #10 preparing to leave Moulton Falls.

Heading back to Yacolt, the train passed this small pond, which is the result of a beaver dam on Yacolt Creek.

Here is a glimpse of the crew aboard the locomotive.

Here is the train approaching the Railroad Avenue grade crossing.

In addition to the cow and llamas seen earlier, horses also live along the line.

The train back at the Yacolt depot.

Acknowledgements

I would lake to thank the Battle Ground, Yacolt & Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Association. Also, I would like to acknowledge Brian McCamish's Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad - Chelatchie Prairie Railroad page and Steamlocomotive.info as additional references  I used for this page.

Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Links:
Battle Ground, Yacolt & Chelatchie Prairie Railroad
Clark County's Lewis & Clark Railroad page
Brian McCamish's Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad - Chelatchie Prairie Railroad page

Steam on the Chelatchie Prairie: Yacolt Falls

Below are a number of pictures of Yacolt Falls on Big Tree Creek, which is only a short walk from the tracks. This is only one of the waterfalls in Moulton Falls Park, but it is the only one that can be reached during the time the train is stopped at the Moulton Falls station. The amount of water here can vary greatly depending on the time of year. These pictures were taken at the end of May. The logs strewn across the rocks were deposited here by the high water the previous November. At times, the water level can reach to the bottom of the footbridge.

Continue to Conclusion…

Steam on the Chelatchie Prairie: Moulton Falls Station

Train Greeters near Moulton Falls Station on May 27, 2007

After passing through the tunnel again, the train slows to a stop a Moulton Falls Park, where it is apparently often greeted by "goblins."

BYCX Excursion Train approaching Moulton Falls Station

The train stops here for about 20 minutes, to give the passengers an opportunity to take the short walk into Moulton Falls Park to Yacolt Falls to appreciate the view.

Sign at Moulton Falls Station

A sign here tells a brief history of the railroad, reading as follows:

Chelatchie Prairie RailRoad     BYCX

The line now used by the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad was first under construction in 1888. It was built to access the timber and other natural resources in the area. The railway has changes hands several times since its completion and was in use until 1993 when it was heavily damaged in a flood. The Battle Ground, Yacolt Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Association has been improving the rail back into working condition since 1999. Moulton Falls has for some time been an area of interest and recreation and is part of the Bells Mountain trail system.

BYCX Excursion Train at Moulton Falls Station on May 27, 2007

Crossett Western 2-8-2T #10 at Moulton Falls on May 27, 2007

Crossett Western 2-8-2T #10 at Moulton Falls on May 27, 2007

Crossett Western 2-8-2T #10 at Moulton Falls on May 27, 2007

Crossett Western 2-8-2T #10 at Moulton Falls on May 27, 2007

Crossett Western 2-8-2T #10 at Moulton Falls on May 27, 2007

There is a passing siding at the Moulton Falls station, and some of the equipment the volunteers use to maintain the track is stored here when not in use.

BYCX Speeder #34 at Moulton Falls Station on May 27, 2007

BYCX Speeder #34 at Moulton Falls Station on May 27, 2007

BYCX #34 is a fairly large Fairmont Speeder.

BYCX Ballast Cart at Moulton Falls Station on May 27, 2007

This Ballast Cart may be ancient, but it gets the job done.

BYCX Tie Crane #6162 at Moulton Falls Station on May 27, 2007

Tie Crane #6162 was acquired from BNSF.

Continue to Yacolt Falls…

Steam on the Chelatchie Prairie: The Return Trip

Crossett Western 2-8-2T #10 at Lucia on May 27, 2007

Crossett Western 2-8-2T #10 at Lucia on May 27, 2007

Crossett Western 2-8-2T #10 at Lucia on May 27, 2007

Crossett Western 2-8-2T #10 at Lucia on May 27, 2007

At Lucia, the train stops to reverse direction. From here, the locomotive can face forward as it pulls the train back to Yacolt. For the passengers onboard the train, this is the better part of the trip, as they get a good view of the steam exhaust from the locomotive. During this late spring trip, the force of the exhaust caused dead pine needles to come loose from the branches hanging over the tracks, and rain down on the passengers. The pictures below were taken as the train headed forward from Lucia to Moulton Falls.

This view shows the exhaust from the steam locomotive against the green of the forest canopy.

Approaching Bridge 23.

Looking down at the Lewis River from Bridge 23.

A view of one of the rock outcroppings along the line.

Dense forest on the opposite hillside.

Continue to Moulton Falls Station…

Steam on the Chelatchie Prairie: The Route (Continued)

After passing through the tunnel, the railroad roughly parallels Lucia Falls Road and provides a view of the Lewis River, while on the other side, rock outcroppings occasionally hang over the tracks.

The railroad turns to cross Lucia Falls Road and then the Lewis River on Bridge 23. This is the largest bridge on the entire line between Vancouver and Chelatchie Prairie. The bridge's construction appears to be somewhat unusual, though it is hard to photograph from the road.

In the above pictures, the train is backing through the Lucia Falls Road grade crossing and across Bridge 23. The pictures below show the view of the Lewis River from the train as it crosses the bridge.

After crossing to the south side of the Lewis River, the railroad travels out of sight of both the road and the river, traveling through the dense evergreen forest to emerge at Lucia.

Continue to The Return Trip…