Harsh Contrasts

Location: 16 Mile Creek
MP: ~1416 Miles from Chicago Union Station

16 Mile Creek and Canyon were favorite spots for Milwaukee Road photographers to capture some of the best "varnish" the Resourceful Railroad had to offer.  Along with all of the dramatic photos of Eagles Nest tunnel, are images of Little Joes pulling Olympian Hiawathas resplendent in crimson and orange, Super Domes, and Creek series observation cars.  Of course, over the years even while the railroad was operating, contrasts were stark.

As orange gave way to armour yellow, passenger Joes gave way to poorly suited Bi-Polars relocated from the Cascade Division.  These would run out their final miles across the Rockies.  Then the passenger trains stopped running altogether followed by the Joes, Boxcabs, and then the front-line power.  Finally the trains and then the rails were gone as a final pull-back was completed.  Each December 19th that passes notes the last bankruptcy of the railroad and hopelessness in a season of hope.  Harsh winters would follow, and silence after that.

Is it time that presents the continual reality of contrast, or is it something else?  The what is and the what was, the restored and the broken down, the old and the new, the have and the have not.  Even the photo above is full of contrasts that range from lights and shadows to the objects that have been captured on the old slide film.  The tranquility of an empty Montana road and a babbling 16 Mile Creek stand in contrast to the mainline railroad that once ran the gauntlet through these canyon walls.  

The small outpost of Maudlow lies ahead as the Milwaukee Road continues its run westbound.  It has been, and will continue to be, a run full of harsh contrasts and stark reality.  

Comments

Anonymous said…
It's always interesting to see how these posts blend the concrete historical facts of the Milwaukee with something much deeper, beyond and timeless. Truly unique!
1/03/2015 09:29:00 AM
Ben Wood - Everson, WA said…
My dad gave Stan Johnson's PCE construction book, which is excellent of course, and I am astounded by the investments made while building the line. The capital, the engineering and construction brainpower, the sweat, the toil, the hardships... all to create a 1400 mile gem. A marvel designed for greatness, destined to be forgotten.
1/05/2015 03:40:00 PM
LinesWest said…
Hi Ben - thanks for the comment, I agree on all counts. It's amazing the investment that was in place when the railroad walked away. And as you say, destined to be forgotten.

-Leland
1/07/2015 07:39:00 AM
jim, some guy in iowa said…
Leland- as usual, fine photos and writing

when the infamous double entering of lines west expenses was made public, was there any official corporate explanation or reaction? i've looked and not found any
2/08/2015 12:48:00 PM
LinesWest said…
Hi Jim,

The only thing I've read suggested by the time this lie was exposed things were so far along in the demise that there wasn't much to do. Who authorized it, who did it, as far as I know it was never fully disclosed. If I find out otherwise I'll let you know. It is one of the frustrating and jaw dropping parts of this whole story.
2/12/2015 06:05:00 PM
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