Punk Rotten & Nasty
As most of you have already read, earlier this week the Port of Tillamook Bay (POTB) commissioners made the decision to discontinue freight service from Cochran (MP 802) into the Port at Tillamook. I think most railfans knew deep down that this decision would come eventually but held out hope in the year and a couple of months since the washouts that somehow the matching money would show up and the POTB would live. Its survived this long why not prolong it?
Setting up for a photo run by east of the tunnel at Enright.
For those that aren’t aware the POTB’s descent from Cochran to Salmonberry (western Oregon) is through what’s known as the Salmonberry River canyon. While this is only around 10 miles of railroad it is a tough spot. As shown in the photo above, the river and the railroad eke out a fragile existence in this narrow chasm. Most of the time the arragement is peaceful and commerce flows up and down the canyon. When heavy run off from rains and snow hit, the river breaks that peace, fills the chasm, and literally rips the railroad out (click here and scroll down for storm damage images). Its happened multiple times before and if rebuilt on the existing alignment would happen again.
Freight ruled the canyon…most of the time.
There are dozens of reasons why this rail line is a practical transportation solution for Tillamook county and the State of Oregon. When open the line was busy and eastbound trains ran heavy with lumber products that didn’t have to be on Highway 6. Despite the obvious business it had the line wasn’t earning enough to meet its cost of capital. If it was, the ancient SD-9s (that were failing) would have been rebuilt or replaced and more of the derailment causing roadbed would have been improved. Factor in the additional cost of rebuilding and this line isn’t something any businessman would want…even with subsidy. My opinion is the port made a sound decision.
In better days, a photo run by east of the tunnel at Enright.
While my business side says this line should close the railfan and tourist in me still wants to repeat many of the scenes in this post. Oregon has some spectacular scenery and I think this 10 miles of railroad shows off the coast range in a way that many will never see. It was the perfect excursion line thanks to its proximity to Portland, the coast, and of course the experience in between.
Has the last chapter in the Pacific Railway & Navigation been written? Who’s to say as none of us can predict the business climate of the future that may change this line’s direction. My sincere hope is that I do see passengers and freight once again ride from Banks to the coast. I have a feeling though the western part of the Punk Rotten & Nasty has lived up to its name and has seen its final train. With that thought on my mind I have to say PR&N, SP Tillamook Branch, or POTB (whichever you prefer) hang in there until we meet again…
For the foreseeable future empty track is all that the Wolf Creek trestle will see.
For a complete review of the Salmonberry Limited click here.
Recommended Reading: Punk Rotten & Nasty – The Saga of Pacific Railway & Navigation Co. by Paul Michael Clock
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