Palouse River and Coulee City Railroad

IThe Pacific Northwest Tour, 2003

Palouse River and Coulee City Railroad

Pullman-Marshall Via Potlach-Pullman

We set on at the Palouse River and Coulee City Railroad yard in Pullman on the afternoon of Monday June 23, in readiness for the run up to Marshall, taking in the spur to Potlach

The Spur to Potlach, which swings off at Palouse, was part of the Washington, Idaho and Montana Railway, and was until recently a lumber line. It shares a history with the Milwaukee Road, and more recently the Burlington Northern Santa Fe. The Potlach depot is being supported by a local history group, hoping to preserve it.

At Palouse, there are remnants of an electric interurban line, the Great Northern, that ran a service from Spokane to Moscow. The route is suggested by a large concrete peir in the middle of the town valley.

Our trip takes us up to a place called Marshall, not far itself from Spokane. We will end up staying in Cheney, a short bus ride from Marshall.

I say end up, as we nearly were kipping in one of the box cars behind the Motel. Some mixed up accomodation saw me adopt John for the night, officially taking on the name of "Nic Black" in order to gain a room. The half hourly trains running past the back of the Motel made for an interesting night. Maybe they should promote the Motel as a "Gunzels Paradise".

If you are in Pullman for a meal, I recommend that you visit Swilly's restuarant.

Key business for the line is grain and Lumber.

One of the highlights of this line was to run it with Ted Hoheisels' little M9. A busy car to drive, once up and set she litteraly flew along. Thanks Ted, it was a lot of fun!

Just more Glorious Crops

Johns car leads the Spicers as we head off from Palouse towards Potlach - We will return here for lunch

Potlach Depot. This building served as headquarters for the Potlach Lumber Company, the parent to the Washington, Idaho and Montana Railway Company. There is a preservation group trying to raise enough money to save the building. The railroad wants it moved about 350 metres to the left of the photo, to reduce its own liability exposure. The building has been tarped to reduce water entry.

Back at Palouse, Jim and Jan Spicer partake of luncheon. If they had done this fifty years earlier, a Great Northern Electric Interurban may have disturbed their peace.

I beleive that this is an old mill. Oakedale. Most of the crew stocked up on fuel here.

Oakesdale, the last car joins us, and Nic pursues his habit for Elevators.

Rosalia for a break.

I found the small towns fascinating. I was not sure what to expect. Certianly did not think that they would be "just like in Model Railroader", yet strangely, they were. This building is in Rosalia.