Finally, the last major point is the log branch to Clarkia. While trains do not operate here anymore, logging operations were only recently terminated and so could reasonably be used on a model railroad. The line follows a snaking, twisting river, crossing it several times. There's even a tunnel and a road passes overhead. The curvy nature of the line and tall mountains would translate nicely to a model railroad, if only copied for the topography. There are also several log yards. Going in order from closest to St Maries to furthest, here are bing aerial view links.
http://binged.it/OQVFwc
http://binged.it/MJeZ92 (this one is abandoned)
After these two is the town of Fernwood, ID.
http://binged.it/MJfgZu (this seems to be the active log yard, and is the Clarkia log yard)
Following the line, here's what seems to be an abandoned wye
http://binged.it/MJfqQP
One could spend hours following the line, but as the STMA stopped at Clarkia in the main era of operations, that's where I'll end too.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
St Maries Yard
The yard in St Maries is where most of the action on this railroad happens. There used to be many log cars stored here and switched into the Potlatch sawmill until the logging line was shut down in 2008; now, most of the tracks towards Plummer from the engine house don't seem to be used. This shows how dated the bing.com aerial view is; there's still plenty of log cars in the yard (they've since been scrapped).
We'll work in from the main line towards the far sawmill. After coming into the yard, the Potlatch mill is the first major point. (http://binged.it/OQSPYi) It ships both plywood and lumber, using boxcars and centerbeams. Next, there is a rec complex opposite some interesting trackside structures (http://binged.it/OQT5GF). This may be where the tank cars full of road binder are sent in the spring and summer, as the Google Earth program says the St. Joe Oil Co. is about right there. This stretch of track is also the yard lead, as seen at the beginning of this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIbissaC8W4&list=PLDA6213C4DA9FD7B4&index=6&feature=plpp_video).
Directly past this point is the heart and soul of the yard. Here, from left to right (http://binged.it/MJe1tu), are a yard which seems to store MoW equipment and cars in need of repair, the large engine and repair shops, the main class tracks, and the old MILW depot.
Continuing on, there is an overpass and then a wye to the log branch (http://binged.it/OQUblN). The line then continues out of town to the Stimson lumber mill, loading only centerbeams (http://binged.it/OQUgpp).
We'll work in from the main line towards the far sawmill. After coming into the yard, the Potlatch mill is the first major point. (http://binged.it/OQSPYi) It ships both plywood and lumber, using boxcars and centerbeams. Next, there is a rec complex opposite some interesting trackside structures (http://binged.it/OQT5GF). This may be where the tank cars full of road binder are sent in the spring and summer, as the Google Earth program says the St. Joe Oil Co. is about right there. This stretch of track is also the yard lead, as seen at the beginning of this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIbissaC8W4&list=PLDA6213C4DA9FD7B4&index=6&feature=plpp_video).
Directly past this point is the heart and soul of the yard. Here, from left to right (http://binged.it/MJe1tu), are a yard which seems to store MoW equipment and cars in need of repair, the large engine and repair shops, the main class tracks, and the old MILW depot.
Continuing on, there is an overpass and then a wye to the log branch (http://binged.it/OQUblN). The line then continues out of town to the Stimson lumber mill, loading only centerbeams (http://binged.it/OQUgpp).
Sunday, June 3, 2012
The Main Line
Between Plummer Jct and St Maries, the STMA operates a 19 mile mainline. This is former MILW trackage, and is very scenic.
We'll go from St Maries towards Plummer Jct, chronicling key scenic elements. (This video is also a great tool to follow the main http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIbissaC8W4&list=PLDA6213C4DA9FD7B4&index=6&feature=plpp_video)
http://www.nicdoncaster.com/PNW/stmariesp.htm This site also has some good shots, including one of the tunnel portals.
LEAVING St Maries, the line winds through some residential areas, and then the first major scenic feature is this causeway http://binged.it/MoaCEN (it's difficult to see, but it's towards the bottom of the page). For a great look, click the video above and fast-forward to the 5 minute mark.
The rails then follow the river. Towards the end of that stretch, there is a small passing siding and then a random spur, before the rails turn about 90 degrees and go through a short tunnel and then onto the Benewah Lake Viaduct http://binged.it/Mobd9F or at the 5:53 mark in the video.
The tracks continue to follow the water, and then a road joins, which the rails cross, then plunge into the forest, but still roughly follow the river. They then cross the same road and a small valley on an impressive bridge. http://binged.it/LqOc0x
I can only assume this is the Peedee Creek Trestle, at 6:32 in the video. Just past the bridge it seems there is a small MOW siding.
Now the rails really dive into the woods and follow a twisting route through the trees, probably to maintain a reasonable grade. A road joins the rails for the final bit of run to Plummer Jct.
We'll go from St Maries towards Plummer Jct, chronicling key scenic elements. (This video is also a great tool to follow the main http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIbissaC8W4&list=PLDA6213C4DA9FD7B4&index=6&feature=plpp_video)
http://www.nicdoncaster.com/PNW/stmariesp.htm This site also has some good shots, including one of the tunnel portals.
LEAVING St Maries, the line winds through some residential areas, and then the first major scenic feature is this causeway http://binged.it/MoaCEN (it's difficult to see, but it's towards the bottom of the page). For a great look, click the video above and fast-forward to the 5 minute mark.
The rails then follow the river. Towards the end of that stretch, there is a small passing siding and then a random spur, before the rails turn about 90 degrees and go through a short tunnel and then onto the Benewah Lake Viaduct http://binged.it/Mobd9F or at the 5:53 mark in the video.
The tracks continue to follow the water, and then a road joins, which the rails cross, then plunge into the forest, but still roughly follow the river. They then cross the same road and a small valley on an impressive bridge. http://binged.it/LqOc0x
I can only assume this is the Peedee Creek Trestle, at 6:32 in the video. Just past the bridge it seems there is a small MOW siding.
Now the rails really dive into the woods and follow a twisting route through the trees, probably to maintain a reasonable grade. A road joins the rails for the final bit of run to Plummer Jct.
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