I’ve seen quite a few folks, just based on their location in their avatars, are either located in the Pac NW or are modeling it … I’m 20 miles from the BC border on the BNSF (formerly Great Northern and MW) and am interested to hear from other Pac NW modelers on what they are working on. I have a fishin’ buddy who has a place up north of Kamloops BC near 100 Mile House, and so I get to come down the Fraser/Thompson canyon a few times a year and see those “big uglies” working their way up the river - amazing how much feight goes up and down that canyon! Anyway, cheers, and I look forward to hear what you’re working on.
I’m more of a lurker here than a poster but figured I’d chime in. I grew up in Eastern WA, living in the Seattle area currently and modeling GN circa 1966-68, haven’t really nailed down a year as the layout is very much in its infancy. I grew up in the apple business so I decided to model an industrial area focused on the shipment of fruit and the mainline of the layout will feature Eastern WA scenery and details. Since GN became BN 16 years before I was born, I’ve been doing a lot of research to figure out how things were done in those days. I’ve learned a lot in the process and am fascinated by the history of GN.
In my previous job I spent quite a bit of time in Wenatchee – don’t miss crossing Steven’s Pass in the wintertime at all! 
I worked at Stevens Pass last winter, it was my second home for almost 5 months. Don’t blame you though, I had the luxury of leaving the driving up to the shuttle driver to get me up and back. I worked grave and some nights were GNARLY getting to work.
I grew up in Chelan, Wenatchee wasn’t and still isn’t my cup of tea. haha
Chelan is gorgeous - we love getting over to the Okanagan when we can - Winthrop, etc.
I can second that. I used to go up to Chelan (from CA) to see friends there quite a few times in the 1980s and 90’s and can attest to how beautiful it was there. I especially enjoyed going up the lake to Stehekin to camp and backpack.
Good luck in modeling the area. I’ve thought about making my next layout a logging/apple hauler and basing it on that region.
Jeff B
Hi guys,
I’ve grown uo and still live in Lynnwood, WA, just north of Seattle. I went college at the VRI at WWU in Bellingham. So, what does one do with an automotive engineering degree? Build model railroads of course![:)] I’ve been building model railroads as my profession for the last eight years. Currently, I’m building a 3000+sq. ft. layout for a gentleman in Medina, WA. The layout covers scenes from all over the Western US and Canada. One of the first sections we’ve completed and sceniced represents the lower Kicking Horse loop on the CP in Yoho National Park. Here’s a photo overlooking Emerald Lake (also near Kicking Horse Pass) when we were near completion of the scene.
One of the things I love best about the job is I often “have” to go rail fanning to get photos, rock samples, and soil samples to properly model the locations. I spent some time on Stevens Pass this winter getting details on the location and construction of the GN’s Skykomish substation. On one of those trips I caught this rather rare view of the former CA Zephyr observation car “Silver Solarium” entering Cascade Tunnel.
I live outside of Portland but I grew up in South Georgia and I am running CSX trains and trying to model the South but my scenery is on the light side now, trying to get my track layout finished up
Dave
What a great scene on that layout.
I lived in Field BC, the CPR Divisional Point which is very close to Emerald Lake.
My father was an fireman/engineer on both the Selkirks as they were being phased out and on the early diesels. Have some memories of those steam engines from when I was allowed to accompany my father to the roundhouse on occasion. I was given a picture of the roundhouse taken in its glory years. It had sixteen stalls in total… Eight stalls built with the powerhouse and had round top doors and the eight stalls added later with the rectangular doors. What a structure that was,.along with its large turntable
I visited Emerald lake many times over the years, I remember the “old” lodge there that had succumbed to age and the elements and the subsequent new lodges and cabins built at the resort.
Stunning vista, Dave … and, of course, Go Vikings!
I can’t resist chimin’ in here. Swayin, I don’t live far from you. Just down I-5 a few miles in little old Sedro Woolley. Have you ever visited the Bellingham Society of Model Engineers’ layouts in Alger? If not, consider going to the open house Saturday April 10th from 11 to 4. If you do, ask for me.
I also have Chelan ties. My family vacationed there for many years. In fact, I spent at least a weekend there for 22 years in succession but that was long ago. I rarely get over there any more. In spite of the development it is still a beautiful place.
Roger Johnson
Just a geographical note: The state of Washington is located in the Pacific north west quadrant of the United states, the province of British Columbia is located in the Pacific Southwest quadrant of Canada.
Field B.C. is considerably inland and is usually never associated with the Pacific Ocean (more interior Rocky Mountains) I’m pretty sure you cannot see the lake from the tracks or the highway, and this is the scene that was on the back of the Canadian $10.00 bill a few years back.
The reason Field BC was mentioned is that it is across the Highway from Emerald Lake. That is the lake indicated in the scene with the CPR engines.
They are all located in Yoho Park which is in BC and is adjacent to Banff Park located in Albera.
Emerald Lake is 7 km. from Field, ( 1km west, 6km up to the Lake) so if the view is from a plane it is correct, say- - - aren’t all views at a model railroad from a plane? ?, my old stomping grounds. The work on the layout is superb.
My husband, Larry and I freelance the Thurston, Mason, and Graysharbor County area with Shelton, as the central point since there is an actual turntable and roundhouse there. The timber industry will be our prime interest. Presently, NP and GN are the main lines.
Sue
I am modeling a BN branch in the Palouse set in the 1970’s in N scale. I’ve always been fascinated by the network of eastern Washington grain branches and the first generation power that worked them for many years. Eric
That does sound fascinating - maybe you can interchange with one of the previous poster’s apple empire somewhere west of the Columbia!
Roger,
My family and I are regulars at every BSME open house, bavck to the days when it was in the basement of Mindport in Bellingham! We’re sure going to try and make it this Saturday, and if we can, I’ll ask for you!
Nevertheless, BC is included in the geographical area of “The Pacific Northwest” because that is an area reference to North America, not based on country.
Nevertheless, BC is included in the geographical area of “The Pacific Northwest” because that is an area reference to North America, not based on country.
If reference to North America, then the Pacific North West would be Alaska. I don’t know anyone in British Columbia that refers to the south west part of the Province as the Pacific North West.