Saturday, Oct. 8. Former Railroad Employee’s Luncheon.

A gathering of former Milwaukee Road employees with a luncheon at the depot.  This is a good time to reunite with your former Milwaukee Road friends. An opportunity for oral history interviews and recording will be made to preserve railroad history. Watch this website at www.milwelectric.org for more information and updates.

The Cascade Rail Foundation gets together with volunteers and the public from the surrounding community every year to enjoy a potluck picnic, conversation, and name the year’s recipient for the “Volunteer of the Year” Award. And you are invited to attend!

Watch for upcoming details, but mark your calendar now.

New Board Member

We welcome Joseph Farnik to the CRF board of directors.  Joseph lives in the Cle Elum area and has a background in carpentry and as a general contractor.

 

Depot Displays

We’ve been working with Washington State Parks to develop some new displays for the museum area of the depot in South Cle Elum.  This project has been going on for awhile, with various twists, turns, ups, and downs.  While earlier iterations of the panels broadly covered the full history of the Milwaukee Road as a transcontinental railroad, they are being revised to focus more on South Cle Elum and the depot.  If all goes according to plan, the new displays should be installed by July.

Some of the displays currently in the depot will be relocated to a new exhibit space that will be established in the former freight room of the depot.

 

Archive

Our first archive work party in Burien was very productive.  Thank you to Fred High, Gary Pember, Mark Borleske, and Rick Beaber for diving into the inventory work.  We are meeting the third Thursday of each month.  The next work party will be April 21.  Contact Paul Krueger at kruegerp@nwlink if you’d like to help out.

The remodeling of the Pacific Northwest Railroad Archive building is continuing.  Most of the preliminary building modifications should be complete by the end of May.

 

2011 Events

July 3 & 4 –  Mountains to Sound Greenway Anniversary March

CRF will be hosting the Mountains to Sound Greenway 20th anniversary march participants on their way from Ellensburg to Seattle. Participants will camp in the South Cle Elum rail yard the night of July 3^rd.  We plan to have the depot open so they can enjoy the exhibits during their stay.  If you’d like to be part of the march, contact Mountains to Sound Greenway to register.

July 9 – Rails to Ales Brewfest

As mentioned in previous updates, the annual Rails to Ales Brewfest will be held at the South Cle Elum rail yard on July 9.  The bands and some of the brewers have been announced. Tickets are $20 in advance. Check out the Brewfest web site for more information.  We need both guests and volunteers for the event.

September 13 – Annual Potluck Picnic & Milwaukee Road Employees Dinner

Our annual potluck picnic for CRF volunteers and friends is scheduled for the afternoon of September 13. After the picnic, we are planning our first Milwaukee Road employees dinner to honor the men and women who made the history of the railroad happen.  We are hoping that attendees will let us record their memories of working on the railroad.  Stay tuned for more details.

September 24 & 25 – Milwaukee Modeler’s Meet

Our annual fall meet features a display of Milwaukee Road models on Saturday morning as well as presentations on model, prototype and historic Milwaukee Road topics. The location has not been finalized yet, but it will be in western Washington again.

In addition to these planned events, we are in the early stages of talking to the Town of South Cle Elum about participating in a centennial celebration of South Cle Elum.  If this event takes place, it would likely happen in August.  Stay tuned for more information about that.

 

Planned projects

At the March board meeting, the board identified the following projects we will work on implementing this year:

Rib side caboose restoration – The first phase of this project will include fabricating new windows and doors and repainting the exterior.

Line side signals – These signals are currently installed next to the trail.  This year, we plan to run wires from the signals located on the trail to the depot so they can be lighted.

Foster Park – The area just west of the depot was once landscaped and informally named Foster Park.  Historic photos suggest this landscaping may have been removed when the substation was built, but it was a lawn area afterwards.  We plan to clean up this area and restore it to look the way it did after the substation was completed.  We are also discussing with State Parks the possibility of making the fenced area around the substation smaller.

View of Foster Park in 1913

View towards the former location of Foster Park in 2011

Gateway at Milwaukee Avenue and 6^th Street – The intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and 6^th Street is the main entry for people driving to the South Cle Elum Rail Yard.  This project would clean up the corner and install a sign welcoming people to the historic district and to Iron Horse State Park.

Bungalow No. 1 (Douglas Munro home) – We are developing a plan to acquire Bungalow No.1.  The bungalow would be rehabilitated to provide as additional exhibit space.  It would likely also become home to the CRF reference library and also be used for artifact storage.  Bungalow No. 1, in addition to having significance as a historic railroad structure, is also historically significant as the boyhood home of Douglas Munro.

Douglas Munro, son of substation operator James Munro, joined the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II.  He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Matanikau River, Guadalcanal on September 27, 1942.  Munro took charge of the dozen craft which helped evacuate the surrounded elements of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines.  Shortly after the last marine got on board, Munro was shot and killed by enemy fire.  He is the only Coast Guardsman to have been awarded the Medal of Honor.

If we are successful in acquiring the bungalow, the primary Douglas Munro exhibit at the rail yard would be moved there from the depot and improved.  We would also develop an exhibit at the bungalow about Milwaukee Road employees and their families.

We will need volunteers to help us complete these projects.  If you have skills or information you’d like to contribute, please contact us.

The 2010 Milwaukee Road Modelers meet will be held August 27-29 at the Cedar River Watershed Education Facility near North Bend, WA.

Admission is $10 per day.  Pre-register for both Saturday and Sunday for $15.  The tour on Friday is an additional $10. Download the registration form here:

"2010 Cascade Rail Foundation’s Milwaukee Road Modelers Meet Registration Form"

The planned program is described below.

Friday, August 27th: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

Cedar River watershed tour of the Milwaukee Road Right of Way

Bring your own lunch and arrive at 9:30, tour ends at 4:00.  A history tour of the watershed, stops at bridges, Cedar River yard and remaining Milwaukee Road structures.  Limit is 21.  Contact David Newcomb to reserve a seat on the tour.

Saturday, August 28th: 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM.

Bring your models to display (any scale) from 9:30 – 12:00.

Modeling clinics start at 1:00 PM:

• Doug Nighswonger – MOW equipment

• Mike Faletti – Building bridge/structure & freight car prototypes

Milwaukee history presentations:

• Al Currier – slide show

• George Werkema – Bellingham branch line slides

Sunday, August 29th: 9:30AM-6: 30 PM

Slide and video presentations:

• Allen Miller – slide show

• Paul Krueger – the Gary Parson slide collection taken at South Cle Elum

• John Crosby – his DVD cab ride through the Cascades with Q&A after

• Noel Holley – His GE collection of B&W photos taken in Montana

Location:

Download a flyer about this event to printout and share!

Click the thumbnail or link below for a printable PDF.

"2010 Cascade Rail Foundation’s Milwaukee Road Modelers Meet info"

 

See you there!

by Mark Borleske

The John Wayne Pioneer Wagons & Riders made an overnight visit Saturday, May 24, 2009 to
the old South Cle Elum Rail Yard last Saturday. South Cle Elum is just one
of many overnight stops for the horse group as they travel across Washington
on their namesake, the John Wayne Trail. The riders have been taking part in
an annual ride across Washington State on the route of the former Milwaukee
Road since 1981. This year, the ride started in Easton on Saturday and will
end up in Tekoa, Washington, near the Idaho state line, on June 6th.

The John Wayne Pioneer Wagons and Riders, and their namesake John Wayne
Pioneer Trail, are closely linked. In 1977, the Milwaukee Road went bankrupt
and in 1980, the railroad cut their service in the west. The group persuaded
the State of Washington to acquire the former railroad right of way as a
recreational trail. By 1981, the John Wayne riders were making organizing
their first ride, the initial one was from the Columbia River to Easton.
Since then, the ride has expanded and has been well-received by communities
and some ranchers and farmers who act as overnight hosts to the group and
provide camping space. The John Wayne Trail is now managed by Washington
State Parks as a part of Iron Horse State Park. Other portions of the trail
in Eastern Washington are managed by the Washington Department of Natural
Resources. Volunteer members of the John Wayne riders have spent countless
hours making improvements on the trail, to trailheads as well as locations
along the trail. In Spring of 2009, for example, volunteers have work
parties planting trees and cleaning up brush in the rail yard at South Cle
Elum. They also has a work party doing cleanup and making trail improvements
at the Thorpe trailhead.

On Saturday night, the riders were hosted by the Cascade Rail Foundation, a
volunteer organization which works with State Parks in managing the South
Cle Elum Rail Yard and the historic depot. Over one hundred people enjoyed a
steak cookout in front of the historic depot building.  On Sunday morning,
the riders were treated to a continental breakfast at the depot before
riding out.

As it was time to move on, the riders hit the trail, traveling east, with a
procession of horses and bicycles, moving at their own pace. Due to State
Parks recent closure of the tunnels on the John Wayne Trail, including two
in the Yakima River Canyon, Sunday’s ride was more like an excursion, out
and back instead of traveling on to the overnight destination at Thorpe.
Later in the afternoon, the riders broke camp and traveled with their
vehicles, horse trailers and horses and bicycles to Thorpe. In addition to
the overnight stays at Easton, South Cle Elum and Thorpe, the riders will
continue with stays at Kittitas, Renslow (I-90 Trailhead/Army West), and
Wanapum, on the Columbia River; all in Kittitas County. The ride continues
east of the Columbia River with visits to Othello, Warden, Lind, Ralston,
Revere, Ewan, Malden, Rosalia and ending in Tekoa.

The US Postal Service will have a special pictorial cancellation honoring the centennial of the depot at South Cle Elum. The postmark will be available by visiting Depot Days or through the mail. The postmark features a side view of the depot at South Cle Elum and includes the words:

MILWAUKEE ROAD STATION, Centennial 1909-2009, SOUTH CLE ELUM, WA 98943.

The postmark will be dated June 12 or June 13th.

A special cachet, or illustrated envelope for a postal cover will be available during Depot Days. The cover features a two-color map of the Pacific Coast Extension of the Milwaukee Road, from the Dakotas to Puget Sound.

The cover includes the words: THE MILWAUKEE ROAD,
PACIFIC COAST EXTENSION CENTENNIAL, 1909-2009. Two historic color logos of the Milwaukee Road are included on the cachet.

To order the cachet and special postmark, send payment and a self-stamped addressed envelope (SASE) to:

Cascade Rail Foundation

DEPT. RPO

PO Box 462

South Cle Elum, WA 98943

The covers are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.

The postal covers can also be purchased at the depot during the Depot Days event, Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13.

The South Cle Elum depot is the centerpiece of the South Cle Elum National Historic District. The depot rehabilitation of the depot was a project of Cascade Rail Foundation and Washington State Parks. The rail yard and depot are open for visitors and is a part of Iron Horse State Park and is an important historic site on the John Wayne Trail, which extends across Washington State.

Public Invited to Celebration!

The clock will be turned back to 1909 for a celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Milwaukee Road railroad depot in South Cle Elum. The beautifully restored Milwaukee railroad station and the South Cle Elum Rail Yard Historic District will be the setting for Depot Days.  Events includes historic walking tours, visits with characters right out of 1909, silent movies, a working telegraph to send messages, a special post office for a commemorative postmark, refreshments and more. The festivities will be held Friday, June 12 and Saturday June 13 from 10 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. On Friday evening there will be a special showing of silent movies. A special feature of Saturday’s event will be reenactors from 1909 and live music. Admission to all Depot Days events is free to the public.

The depot will come to life as the click and clack of Morse code resounds from the telegraph office.  The authentic telegraph office will be operating and telegrams may be sent and received. Telegraph and communication equipment has been reconditioned and installed at the depot office just as it was in 1909. Morse Telegraph Club volunteers will demonstrate the telegraph and Morse code.

There will be a 1909-style reenactment in an authentic vintage setting. Costumed presenters will share their experiences of life in small town Cle Elum, on the railroad and as fashionable travelers making the train trip to Seattle to visit the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exhibition. Cascade Rail Foundation volunteers and State Parks rangers will conduct tours inside the depot as well as out in the rail yard on an interpretive trail. Tours will be held regularly throughout both days.

A special  “Movie Night at the Depot” will take place Friday evening. The movie selection will include silent films from the turn of the century. The classic blockbuster hit of 1903, “The Great Train Robbery” will be featured. It is regarded as the first movie “Western”, even though it was filmed in New Jersey.  Other short silent films will round out the program.

On Saturday, music from turn of the century will be performed at the Depot. Enjoy the popular music of the era, including songs we still remember; In the Good Old Summertime, Take Me Out to the Ballgame and Give My Regards to Broadway were favorites of the era. You might even sing along to some old familiar tunes.

The US Postal Service will have a temporary post office, known as “Milwaukee Road Station” at the depot in South Cle Elum on both Friday and Saturday. The postal station will use a special pictorial cancellation of the depot with the words Centennial 1909 – 2009.

The Cascade Rail Foundation is offering a specially designed cachet envelope depicting a map of the Milwaukee Road Pacific Coast Extension from the Midwest to Puget Sound. The two-color envelope also features two logos of the Milwaukee Road, or the Chicago, Milwaukee & Puget Sound as the western extension was initially called. It can be ordered by sending $2.00 for one and $5.00 for three. Send self-stamped addressed  #10 envelope to Cascade Rail Foundation, Dept. RPO, PO Box 462, South Cle Elum, WA 98943. The commemorative postmark will available both days at the depot, a ticket window serving as a retail counter for the Post Office. Cachets are will also be sold at the depot during the event. $2.00 each, 3 for $5.00.

Inside the depot, a small museum will features the history of the Milwaukee Road and South Cle Elum in photos, vintage advertising, artifacts and stories.  Refreshments and light snacks will be available at the depot lunch counter during the event

Mark Borleske
Depot Days Chairman

Download a Free Printable Event Poster to Display

2009 Depot Days Poster (158)

Planning is now underway for our second annual Rails To Ales Brewfest, scheduled for July 11th, 2009. Committees are being formed and lists are being made. Selections for bands, brewers and food vendors are underway.  Our first event in 2008 was a big hit and 2009 will be even better. Keep current on our progress by visiting the website for the event at www.RailsToAlesBrewfest.com Updates will be coming in the next few weeks as planning comes together. For information on joining the planning committee and / or volunteering to help with the event, use our handy contact form or sign up for our Brewfest eMail List to keep up to date on developments.
Cheers!!!

Brian

Modelers met in North Bend.

Post Event Report: THIS EVENT WAS HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL! See David Newcomb’s comments on this event. Also, enjoy viewing Paul Krueger’s photos of the event (click on sample photo for full event gallery).

Who:

Milwaukee Road Modelers

What:

Milwaukee Road Modelers Meet

Open to:

All Scales, Dioramas and Free-mo’s were welcome.

When:

Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008, 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Where:

Cedar River Watershed Education Facility
19901 Cedar Falls Road S.E.North Bend, WA 98045 (take exit #32 off I-90)

Guest Speakers:

• Noel Holley
• Doug Nighswonger
• Mike Faletti

Cost:

$5 General Admission
$3 if you brought a Model!
(All proceeds benefit the Cascade Rail Foundation.)

More Information:

Contact David Newcomb (email: arch @ davidnewcomb.com)

Sponsor:

Cascade Rail Foundation

See full event notice and printable modelers card, directions and event poster

The first ever Rails-To-Ales BREWFEST, named in homage to the Rails to Trails program with Washington State Parks and the Milwaukee Road Beer Line was held July 12, 2008. Fourteen Pacific NW Micro Breweries, 2 Live Bands, and 3 Local Food Vendors served up a nice mix of brews, chews, and tunes. See Brewfest photos and more.