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CCR&M Statement on flood damages
Author: AC
Date: 12-13-2007 - 13:16
Chehalis Centralia Railroad & Museum Endures Flooding, Assesses Damages
CHEHALIS, Wa., Dec 13 / -- The Chehalis Centralia Railroad & Museum has endured severe flooding that struck the Pacific Northwest over the first weekend of December. Much of the Lewis County region was flooded, including the rail line that the railroad operates on, as well as the railroad's museum complex. CCR&M management are still taking stock of the damages as the water recedes.
As the waters receded over the last week, CCR&M members have conducted a preliminary inspection of the museum and the Port of Chehalis rail line over which the railroad operates excursion trains. Some of the damage observed includes:
Multiple track washouts. Many sections of track have shifted off their ballast roadbed. In some cases, the roadbed has washed away entirely, and stretches of track are hanging in the air.
Missing & dislodged materials. Due to the washouts, the railroad has lost a small number of ties. Crossbucks and other signs appear to be uprooted and possibly missing in some locations. On the museum grounds, a few smaller pieces of the depot deck are missing. Smaller materials, tools, and supplies may be dislodged or missing due to floating away in the flood waters.
Debris. Some stretches of track are buried under debris, such as fallen trees, branches, and earth.
Bridges. The railroad is still planning a comprehensive inspection of the line's bridges. The two largest bridges -- one over the Newaukum River and the other over the West Fork Chehalis River -- are still standing and initially appear intact. Further detail on bridges may be available at a later date.
Fortunately, the CCR&M's collection of railroad equipment was not seriously damaged. The Cowlitz, Chehalis & Cascade No. 15 -- a Baldwin "Mikado" type steam locomotive built in 1916 -- was unaffected by the flood, as the carbarn in which it is stored saw barely twelve inches of water at the back (deep) end.
The CCR&M is committed to repairing the line. At this point in time, the railroad is operating under the assumption that the line will be returned to service in time to operate its normal summer schedule of excursions in 2008. Railroad management is working actively with officials from the Port of Chehalis to inventory damages and to assess repair strategies for the line.
ABOUT THE CCR&M
The Chehalis Centralia Railroad & Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railway founded in 1986. Located in the city of Chehalis, Washington, the Museum focuses on preserving the railroad heritage of Lewis County and the surrounding Southwest Washington region. The most famous holding of the Museum's collection the Chehalis, Cowlitz & Cascade No. 15, a Baldwin "Mikado" type steam locomotive built in 1916.
In addition to preservation, the Museum operates passenger excursions and dinner trains over nearly ten miles of track belonging to the Port of Chehalis. This historic line is a remnant of the former Milwaukee Road branch line to South Bend and the Pacific Coast, and winds through scenic hills, farmland, and over several wooden trestles.
PHOTOS:
IMG: [www.steamtrainride.com]
Caption: Many sections of the Port of Chehalis rail line, over which the CCR&M operates regular summer excursion trains, have shifted due to flood waters.
Location: Near Highway 603, outside of Chehalis, Washington.
Photo: Port of Chehalis. A higher resolution photo is available to media upon request.
IMG: [www.steamtrainride.com]
Caption: Ray Beaber, locomotive engineer on the CCR&M, inspects flood damage on the Port of Chehalis rail line.
Location: Near Twin Oaks Road, west of Chehalis, Washington.
Photo: Port of Chehalis. A higher resolution photo is available to media upon request.
IMG: [www.steamtrainride.com]
Caption: This track wash out is typical of the damage to the Port of Chehalis rail line, over which the CCR&M operates regular summer excursion trains.
Location: Near Twin Oaks Road, east of Adna, Washington.
Photo: Port of Chehalis. A higher resolution photo is available to media upon request.
CONTACT:
General inquiries to Chehalis Centralia Railroad & Museum: (360) 748-9593
Media inquiries to Alexander Craghead, CCR&M: (503) 347-4059 / alexander.craghead@gmail.com
Chehalis Centralia Railroad & Museum
Depot
1101 Sylvenus Street
Chehalis, WA 98532
Office
1945 S. Market Blvd.
Chehalis, WA 98532
[www.steamtrainride.com]
CHEHALIS, Wa., Dec 13 / -- The Chehalis Centralia Railroad & Museum has endured severe flooding that struck the Pacific Northwest over the first weekend of December. Much of the Lewis County region was flooded, including the rail line that the railroad operates on, as well as the railroad's museum complex. CCR&M management are still taking stock of the damages as the water recedes.
As the waters receded over the last week, CCR&M members have conducted a preliminary inspection of the museum and the Port of Chehalis rail line over which the railroad operates excursion trains. Some of the damage observed includes:
Multiple track washouts. Many sections of track have shifted off their ballast roadbed. In some cases, the roadbed has washed away entirely, and stretches of track are hanging in the air.
Missing & dislodged materials. Due to the washouts, the railroad has lost a small number of ties. Crossbucks and other signs appear to be uprooted and possibly missing in some locations. On the museum grounds, a few smaller pieces of the depot deck are missing. Smaller materials, tools, and supplies may be dislodged or missing due to floating away in the flood waters.
Debris. Some stretches of track are buried under debris, such as fallen trees, branches, and earth.
Bridges. The railroad is still planning a comprehensive inspection of the line's bridges. The two largest bridges -- one over the Newaukum River and the other over the West Fork Chehalis River -- are still standing and initially appear intact. Further detail on bridges may be available at a later date.
Fortunately, the CCR&M's collection of railroad equipment was not seriously damaged. The Cowlitz, Chehalis & Cascade No. 15 -- a Baldwin "Mikado" type steam locomotive built in 1916 -- was unaffected by the flood, as the carbarn in which it is stored saw barely twelve inches of water at the back (deep) end.
The CCR&M is committed to repairing the line. At this point in time, the railroad is operating under the assumption that the line will be returned to service in time to operate its normal summer schedule of excursions in 2008. Railroad management is working actively with officials from the Port of Chehalis to inventory damages and to assess repair strategies for the line.
ABOUT THE CCR&M
The Chehalis Centralia Railroad & Museum is a railroad museum and heritage railway founded in 1986. Located in the city of Chehalis, Washington, the Museum focuses on preserving the railroad heritage of Lewis County and the surrounding Southwest Washington region. The most famous holding of the Museum's collection the Chehalis, Cowlitz & Cascade No. 15, a Baldwin "Mikado" type steam locomotive built in 1916.
In addition to preservation, the Museum operates passenger excursions and dinner trains over nearly ten miles of track belonging to the Port of Chehalis. This historic line is a remnant of the former Milwaukee Road branch line to South Bend and the Pacific Coast, and winds through scenic hills, farmland, and over several wooden trestles.
PHOTOS:
IMG: [www.steamtrainride.com]
Caption: Many sections of the Port of Chehalis rail line, over which the CCR&M operates regular summer excursion trains, have shifted due to flood waters.
Location: Near Highway 603, outside of Chehalis, Washington.
Photo: Port of Chehalis. A higher resolution photo is available to media upon request.
IMG: [www.steamtrainride.com]
Caption: Ray Beaber, locomotive engineer on the CCR&M, inspects flood damage on the Port of Chehalis rail line.
Location: Near Twin Oaks Road, west of Chehalis, Washington.
Photo: Port of Chehalis. A higher resolution photo is available to media upon request.
IMG: [www.steamtrainride.com]
Caption: This track wash out is typical of the damage to the Port of Chehalis rail line, over which the CCR&M operates regular summer excursion trains.
Location: Near Twin Oaks Road, east of Adna, Washington.
Photo: Port of Chehalis. A higher resolution photo is available to media upon request.
CONTACT:
General inquiries to Chehalis Centralia Railroad & Museum: (360) 748-9593
Media inquiries to Alexander Craghead, CCR&M: (503) 347-4059 / alexander.craghead@gmail.com
Chehalis Centralia Railroad & Museum
Depot
1101 Sylvenus Street
Chehalis, WA 98532
Office
1945 S. Market Blvd.
Chehalis, WA 98532
[www.steamtrainride.com]
| Subject | Written By | Date/Time (PST) |
|---|---|---|
 CCR&M Statement on flood damages |
AC | 12-13-2007 - 13:16 |
|
Re: CCR&M Statement on flood damages
|
Donovan Gray | 12-14-2007 - 12:22 |