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Lewis and Clark Ry
 

Lewis and Clark Railway

7/21/00

The Lewis and Clark Railway can trace it's roots back to the Vancouver, Klickitat & Yakima Railroad which started the line in 1888. After about nine years the VK&YRR changed hands. After a succesion of owners which included the NP, the Longview Portland and Northern and ending with the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad in 1981. Clark County purchased the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad in 1986 with a 1.2 million dollar loan from the Real Estate Excise Tax fund. Enter the Lewis and Clark Railway (LINC). The LINC operates the line under contract with Clark County.

Operations
Unfortunately I have been unable to determine a schedule for the LINC. As near as I can tell it is run as needed. A trip to the line in July 2000 found two covered hoppers spotted and Andersen's Plastics in Battle Ground. This is the only customer I was able to find in Battle Ground. Interchange with Burlington Northern Santa Fe is performed at Rye Jct. LINC has trackage rights from Rye to Rye Jct. Other customers are a Drywall Co. in Brush Prairie and Airco in Rye. The Drywall Co. is apparently the major shipper. If anyone can provide information about typical operations or customers along the line, please email me. Thanks Steve for the shipper info.
A little more information about operations. Observations show that LINC leaves Rye about 11:30 am, reaching Rye Jct. around noon. Still not sure days of operation but the #81 can usually be found at Rye, along St. Johns Rd. Thanks Andy.

In years past the LINC had operated excursions to Moulton Falls. The excursions were canceled in 1997 after severe flooding closed the north end of the line. Now a new company, Battle Ground, Yacolt & Chelatchie Prairie Railroad , plans to run excursions between Battle Ground and Chelatchie Prairie. Power for the excursion is said to be ex-Lonview Portland and Northern 112. No start up date given at this time.


LINC is headquarted at Battle Ground, WA. It is easy enough to locate, just follow the signs to Battle Ground from I-5. Once there just keep driving until you get to the railroad tracks. The offices and locomotives are to the right but everytime I've been there you can find equipment on both sides of the road as well. To the left you will see Spokane Portland and Seattle Ry 539 sitting in the park. When the LINC ran excursion there were two old MoW cars parked here that were used for a ticket office. These cars are now at the Museum in Toppenish, WA were there will be restored as boxcars. Along with the locomotives you will find a variety of passenger equipment. Anyone knowing the history of these cars please email me. Thanks.

Equipment
These shots were all taken Thursday 20 July 00. The units were all parked next to the offices which is were I've always seen them parked. Rolling Stock and Passenger Equipment


LINC 81 and 82 are the power for the line. Note that the 82 doesnt have full length handrails along the frame, just the one along the hood. The two units were parked with a tank car for fire service between them. A question, are both units used for trains with the tank pulled for fire safety? Or is only one unit used?


The 83 is apparently used as a parts source.

LP&N 112, an S-4, was used on the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad and will now be used on the new excursion service. Other than paint schemes the 112 looks little changed from it's 1951 builders photo.

Roster Information

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