LEFT: On August 29, 2010, PCC 2353 sits at the head of a long string of loads at the end of the PV Sub in Thornton. Just behind the power is where the Spokane & Inland Empire interurban line to Moscow, Idaho, once crossed. BELOW LEFT: The classic UP-style station sign at Thornton, mounted on an ancient wood post, has in recent years been joined by a rather homely sign proclaiming the PV Sub’s modern shortline operator.
The Pullman area has the most lodging opportunities, particularly for national chains, but I prefer the locally owned Siesta Motel in Colfax. Bear in mind that both Pullman and neighboring Moscow, Idaho, host major state college campuses, so nightly rates go through the roof when the football teams are playing. Saving money by pitching a tent is offset by the cost of traveling to and from the rail lines — I’ve never found a campground north of the Snake River. Take a break from the endless parade
line: “The PCC interchanges with the UP at Hooper Junction, and with the UP and BNSF at Wallula. The PCC will stop when needed at Ayer Junction to exchange locomotives with the Great Northwest Railroad [GRNW, another Watco shortline] and to drop off railcars that need to be repaired or inspected at the GRNW’s car repair facility in Lewiston, Idaho.” Traffic to and from BLMR is also interchanged at Wallula. The PCC relies on a collection of
Geeps for its Palouse lines, ranging from a GP30 once known as “Barney” for its purple paint job to a GP50 with a nose- mounted bell that proclaims its Chicago & North Western heritage. Most of the fleet has been repainted in recent years into Watco’s corporate black-and-yellow livery, but some legacy schemes remain on locomotives kept available for traffic surges. Trains rarely exceed 20 m.p.h. and roads are usually close to the tracks,
so chasing is easy. The PCC uses AAR channel 45 (160.785 MHz) on the PV Hooper. It’s also helpful to listen to the Ayer Sub on AAR 42 (160.740 MHz). Track warrant control is still in effect for the 20 miles between Page and Ayer, so listening for UP Dispatcher 41 conversing with WAMX locomotives provides advance notice of PCC trackage-rights trains. GRNW trains operating between Riparia and Ayer also talk to DS 41.
Visiting the Palouse Railfans venturing into the Palouse
should bear in mind that this is a sparsely populated region with limited services. Gas stations are few and far between. Colfax, St. John, Dusty, and Washtucna are where I top off. There are no chain restaurants between Colfax and the major highways to the west and north. Most towns have local establishments, of course.
of trains on the Funnel or Providence Hill, and pass on getting another shot of Joso Bridge. Those popular Class I mainline scenes aren’t going anywhere. Instead, head east into the Palouse hills, get lost on some narrow roads, and marvel at scenery unlike anywhere else in the country. Head up to Steptoe Butte for sunrise or sunset and watch the shadows play across the lumpy terrain. Drag yourself out of bed at an absurdly unreasonable hour and be at the Colfax depot by 5:00 or so in the morning to wait for the crew to show up. Ask nicely and they may share some tips about that day’s operating plan. Plot your course, hit the road, and enjoy this remnant of 19th century agricultural branchline railroading.
David Honan, a civil engineer and photographer, and his wife Cortney live in Snoqualmie, Wash. He thanks Watco’s crews for their gracious hospitality, and credits Jeff Asay’s book Union Pacific Northwest for the historical details.
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