MAIN LINE: ROAD WEST TO BEVERLY

Beverly was one of the six train order stations in use on the Second Subdivision: Othello, Beverly, Kittitas, Cle Elum, Cedar Falls, and Maple Valley. Of the six, two were only open one "trick" (shift) per day: Beverly, daily 11:30 pm to 7:30 am; Kittitas, daily 10:00 pm to 6:00 am. The operating hours were these stations underlined the observation that shippers loaded cars by day, and trains departed the Coast by night.

Located at the Columbia River Bridge, at the base of the Saddle Range, Beverly was an important meeting point. On the west bank of the Columbia, the railroad ascended a 17 mile, 2.2% grade to the summit at Boylston. From time to time, the Road stationed helpers at Beverly ("the Beverly Helper"), but not during the three years I worked for the Road. Generally westbounds made the grade to Bolyston with no problem, although on two occasions my train did double that hill.

The 24 mile long Hanford Branch (Eighteenth Subdivision) entered the mainline at the west end of the Columbia Bridge at Beverly Jct. While the Hanford Branch was served by Othello crews, I had the impression that by 1975 the Hanford Line was rarely used.

pix: OthellotoBeverlymerge no caption pix: Beverlymerge caption: "View West, Approaching Beverly Depot" pix: Beverlydepot caption: "View West, Beverly Depot"