Re: Longview Portland & Northern
Author: SP5103
Date: 04-16-2021 - 14:09
Several years ago when I was down there, the LP&N into Gardiner was still mostly intact. The plant was gone, basically a brownfield development. One of the few intact buildings was the former LP&N shop. I heard later that Coos Bay Rail Link or their contractor had leased the shop, but I have no idea if they are still using it. There is quite a bit of trestlework which may need rehabilitation as well as ties and possibly rail. It is interesting that the present owner of the property is basically looking to reactivate it as a common carrier.
The Alco that previously worked the line belongs to a museum group in Coos Bay. There was a SW1500 that was the primary power in later years. IIRC it was transferred to another International Paper property and may still exist, but I don't think any division of LP&N still has power on it. I've heard they used to interchange something like 40-50 cars a day with SP.
Today's V&T 29 was former LP&N 680, but off a different division out of Willamina. The Portland-Vancouver Jct Railroad mentioned below was another LP&N division. I believe it was then part of the former Lewis & Clark Railroad after that.