Quote:
Originally Posted by freebeard
I watched the video. It's not the first time this has happened.
The Willamette Valley used to have competing electric railways on opposite sides of the river. A most civilized way to travel.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oregon_Electric_Railway
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southe...Electric_Lines
The Oregon Electric line was purchase by a consortium that consisted of General Motors, an oil company, and what became Greyhound or Trailways bus service. They stacked up the rolling stock and torched it. Details were in an Oregon Times magazine article that I can't find. If it turns up I will make my first Wikipedia edit. |
Here is our electric railroad history...
"Operating conditions in the mountain regions of the Pacific Extension proved difficult. Winter temperatures of −40 °F (−40 °C) in Montana made it challenging for steam locomotives to generate sufficient steam. The line snaked through mountainous areas, resulting in "long steep grades and sharp curves." Electrification provided an answer, especially with abundant hydroelectric power in the mountains, and a ready source of copper at Anaconda, Montana.[8] Between 1914 and 1916, the Milwaukee implemented a 3,000 volt direct current (DC) overhead system between Harlowton, Montana, and Avery, Idaho, a distance of 438 miles (705 km).[9] Pleased with the result, the Milwaukee electrified its route in Washington between Othello and Tacoma, a further 207 miles (333 km), between 1917 and 1920.[10] This section traversed the Cascades through the 2¼-mile (3.6 km) Snoqualmie Tunnel, just south of Snoqualmie Pass and over four hundred feet (120 m) lower in elevation. The single track tunnel's east portal at Hyak included an adjacent company-owned ski area (1937−1950).[11][12][13][14]
Together, the 645 miles (1,038 km) of main-line electrification represented the largest such project in the world up to that time, and would not be exceeded in the US until the Pennsylvania Railroad's efforts in the 1930s.[15] The two separate electrified districts were never unified, as the 216-mile (348 km) Idaho Division (Avery to Othello), was comparatively flat down the St. Joe River to St. Maries and through eastern Washington, and posed few challenges for steam operation.[10] Electrification cost $27 million, but resulted in savings of over $1 million per year from improved operational efficiency.[16]"
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chic...cific_Railroad
There are a few relics left standing, a few years back they were selling some of the old powerhouses along the line pretty cheap. I remember one pretty close to me with a decent roof still sitting on one acre for under $100k. Looked like this, but wasn't this particular one.
