Photo by Tom Carver.
August 15, 1981
Tom says:
"In a location where one would not expect to find three F-units and a Geep, the CW local's crew is turning the power for the return to Spokane from Coulee City. This photo was made just prior to the photo posted yesterday showing Dan on his bike."
Photo courtesy of Tom Carver.
No date, but I'd guess about 1981.
Tom is standing on the former NP bridge.
Photo courtesy of Tom Carver.
August 15, 1981
I've known of 5 fellows that had taken photos of the railroad to Coulee City in the 1980/81 timeframe, recording on film what I only have memories of. I've managed to catch up with all 5 of them over the years to see their work. One question I've posed to them is if they ever caught some kid trackside during that time. Today, one of these fellows, Tom Carver, posted this image from August 18, 1981. Here is what he had to say:
"After several discussions with Flickr member Dan Bolyard about my photos of the CW local in Coulee City, he asked if we remembered seeing a "snot-nosed kid hanging around the tracks," because it was most likely him. Well, that jogged my fading memory and I subsequently found this photo of Dan on his bike, positively identified by his T-shirt! So many of us when young did our train watching by bicycle–myself included–that this is probably why I shot the image in the first place. So, Dan, herewith, assuming this is really you and not someone who stole your T-shirt ?!? Glad you were old enough to see and remember the F-units! I'll be happy to send you a hi-res scan and the original slide if you like."
Photo courtesy of Tom Carver.
August 16, 1980.
Tom says:
"The edict had already been handed down to withdraw all F-Units from service in Western Washington, so we all thought that was it. At the time I was working for an air freight forwarding company delivering to Eastern Washington and Idaho, with my westbound trip from Spokane to Wenatchee always on U.S. Rt. 2, which followed BN's 8th Subdivision branch line between Cheney and Coulee City. Having pulled over for a rest stop west of Davenport, I heard a train whistle, and having yet to see a train on this line I waited for the ubiquitous Geeps to show up...WTF...F-Units?!? Turns out the Parkwater (Spokane) based Fs, which also served as Marias Pass helpers, were still in service! Once back in Seattle I spread the word, and several trips were organized to catch this train, known as the CW (Central Washington) Local or Coulee City Turn."
Courtesy of Aaron Schwarz and the PNRA.
From the Doug Klawunder collection.
