I seek advice on sources of information on the GN in the Columbia Falls - Kalispell - Somers (Montana) area. This may be one area to model a branch off the GN mainline with some senic interest, and that might be compressable into a limited space.
Using various web sites, I can find topo maps, relatively recent aerial photos, and a very few photos. These provide information on the configuration of lines, yards, the placement of buildings. However there is not much on the actual industries or style of the buildings. As I continue to dig into this, I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions (beyond the obvious vacation trip).
I’ve only been on the road between Whitefish and Kalispell once and don’t recall any industries. Given the area I would imagine a sawmill or two would be appropriate and maybe some stock loading spurs. If you’re into psgr the branch from Columbia Falls and Whitefish is a goldmine. Not only do you have all of the mainline GN trains from Columbia Falls to Whiefish, but the branch had 4 trains a day in each direction. The scheduling (as of summer 1945) was such that one set of equipment (in this case a motor car and trailer) covered all schedules. By 1950 they still had 4 schedules in each direction but the first and last round trips of the day were Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Kalispell instead of the 1945 schedule were eveything terminated at Columbia Falls on the westbound (geographically north) leg.
Best suggestion I could give to a prospective GN modeler would be
to join the GNRHS. Our organization publishes reference sheets on
most aspects of the railway. Our yearly convention is on two weeks and
is taking place in Kalispell. Invariably, local interest reference sheets seem
to come out with information about the regions we visit. There may be
already some reference sheets out on the region. Back issues are available
for sale to members at reasonable prices. I confess that I have little knowledge
of the Whitefish/Kalispell area myself, having never been there other than
passing through on the Empire Builder, but will be traveling there in two
weeks.[swg]