Common Carrier Railroads of Washington

Common Carrier Railroads.

Columbia & Puget Sound Railroad.
36in Gauge. Reorganized from the Seattle & Walla Walla Railroad in November 1880 after being purchased by the Oregon Improvement Company. The line primarily hauled coal from the mines near Newcastle and Franklin to the company wharf in Seattle. Financial complications lead to the line being standard gauged in 1897. Newcastle to Seattle, King County. 1880 - 1897(NG)

Ilwaco Railway & Navigation.
36in Gauge. Constructed by the Ilwaco Wharf Company to replace the stage coach line running from their wharf to the north along Long Beach. The railroad operated as frugally as possible, often to the detriment of their service. In 1903 the railroad sold to the Oregon Railway & Navigation Co. and rehabilitated. Nahcotta to Ilwaco and Megler, Pacific County. 1888 - 1916

Seattle & Walla Walla Railroad and Navigation.
36in Gauge. Seattle's first railroad, built in reaction to Northern Pacific's 1873 decision to locate its western terminus in Tacoma rather than in Seattle. The Seattle & Walla Walla began at Steele's Landing on the Duwamish River, and eventually extended for 21 miles to the coal mines of Newcastle, in South King County. Seattle to Newcastle, King County. 1873 - 1880

Walla Walla & Columbia River Railroad.
36in Gauge.

Wallula to Walla Walla, Walla Walla County. 1871 - 1883