ABOVE: Three of the four Simpson switchers are stabled for the evening in the Shelton roundhouse. These EMD SW1200’s have toiled for Simpson Timber for more than 50 years. RIGHT: Simpson 1201 rattles onto the turntable. Years of experience will stop it in the exact spot for balance. It will require both crew members to take the engine for a spin on the “Armstrong” table.


Mill 5 complex. Usually one of the helpers cuts off on the fly at the top and returns to Shelton for another assign- ment. When the set-out is complete at Mill 5, either the empty logs cars are taken back with the two remaining units, or they will return light power for another assignment.


Like the Class I’s and short lines, the dedicated railroaders of the Simpson proudly perform this job day in and day out in conditions that rival the most se- vere of any other railroad. They do so with a sense of purpose and profession- alism that you only find in a few rail- roaders these days. Just as quickly the action started it’s over. The work is complete and all four of the engines are neatly tucked away in the engine house. Tomorrow will usher in a another day of hauling wood and defeating gravity for the Simpson railroaders.


32 MARCH 2014 • RAILFAN.COM


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66