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November 24th, 2004 Cascade Rail Foundation Update: Donovan Gray

Cascade Rail Foundation Update

1. Cascade Rail Fest November 26-28 at Seattle Center Northwest Rooms

The exhibits are up, the layouts are in, and it looks 'smashing!'  I
hope you all can come by this weekend, Friday-Sunday 10am-5pm and check
out the great job Ron Cole, John Stenger, Gary Holcombe,  Tom Goldsmith
and the rest of us have done putting on this terrific show.  Now we just
keep our fingers crossed waiting for the hoards to descend.  Many thanks
to Puget Sound Energy for its sponsorship and M. A. Mortenson Co. for
providing radio communication for the show.

2. Holiday Party December 11

The annual holiday party will be held (we hope) in the depot.  There are
some last minute construction glitches that might preclude that, but at
this time, things look like a go.  2pm Saturday, December 11, potluck.
Last names A-L bring a main dish, M-Z bring a salad or dessert.  We'll
also have our annual gift exchange, so bring something valued at less
than $10, wrapped.  There will be a board meeting beforehand at 11am,
which anyone is welcome to attend.

3. Depot Rehabilitation

Work is moving along very well.  Propane tanks are in, HVAC is about 80%
complete, plumbing about 70% complete, and Troy Axe and his crew from
Legacy Renovations are making rapid progress on the interior finish
work.  There should be lots to show off December 11 (including heat in
the building!).

4. Remember us for year-end donations

As you plan your giving for this tax year, do keep us in mind.  We have
ongoing financial needs as we prepare to open the depot for limited
operation in 2005.  You can also make a gift to our endowment fund, "the
gift that keeps on giving!"

5. 2005 Volunteering

Keep is in mind for some of your spare time in 2005.  There will be
interpretive trail work parties this coming spring, and lots of work to
get the depot ready to open, including developing an exhibit area.  We
have the bay window caboose to move from Othello to South Cle Elum that
will require laying some rail and ties.  Lots to do, and we'll send out
notices of upcoming work parties several weeks in advance of their
dates.

Happy holiday season to all of you!

-dmg

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October 16th, 2004 Progress Report from the South Cle Elum Depot by: Donovan Gray

We had a great work party today at the depot from 9am to 3pm with Brian
Lee, Mark Borleske, Doug Boe, Mike Burbridge, his son Noel, and yours
truly.  We tore out the remaining old flooring in the beanery, and moved
all our excess "stuff" either to the dumpster (donated by Waste
Management of Wenatchee) or to the substation for storage.  This makes
room for Troy Axe and his crew from Legacy Renovation to really get
rolling on their interior rehabilitation contract.  Legacy's already
made great headway, but now with us out of the way, more major work can
be undertaken by them.  Many thanks to Brian, Mark, Doug, Mike and a
hearty welcome to Noel, a new volunteer (great recruiting, Mike!).  It's
great to see a father-son team work together!

This was the last formal work party of the year, and we very
appreciative of everyone's help during the past season.  It's cut tens
of thousands of dollars off the construction budget, making every dollar
stretch further to finish the depot by next spring.

A rather large group of young teenagers from Woodinville with parental
escorts was biking through from Thorp to Cedar Falls today on a two-day
excursion and made their lunch stop at the depot.  Mark gave a group of
them a guided tour through the interpretive trail, which was much
appreciated by them.  Again, many thanks to Mark and Rae Lembersky for
their generous financial contribution that has made the trail possible.

Shortly thereafter, a tour group from Seattle Parks and Recreation Dept.
descended on the depot after visiting the Iron Horse Bed and Breakfast
as part of their day-excursion to Cle Elum.  Brian graciously acted as
impromptu tour host and new friends were made, including an older
gentleman who promised to bring his classic car club over next year.  We
hope to host them for lunch in the completed beanery.  We expect to be
complete with the depot rehabilitation by late next spring, and open for
limited operations in the summer of 2005.  Full operations will commence
in 2006.

By the way, we checked with the state corporations office and "The
Beanery" is already registered as a business (in Belfair).  So, it's
time to "name the beanery!"  Your suggestions for a name for the
restaurant are most welcome.  Send them along to me.

Today we were also visited by two students from the Art Institute of
Seattle who are working on developing graphic concepts for the
restaurant, revising our brochure and setting up a "graphics family" for
the Cascade Rail Foundation.  Many thanks to Mark Borleske for forging
this "gratis" relationship, and we look forward to seeing the students'
work (first drafts will be shown this coming Tuesday at the Art
Institute).

Planning continues to move forward for the Cascade Rail Fest, set for
Nov. 26-28 in the Northwest Rooms at Seattle Center.  We're welcoming
volunteers to help out that weekend.  If you can give us a four-hour
shift, let me know!  We hope to see you all in attendance at the least!

After several years of discussions and negotiations, we finally have a
20-year operating agreement with Washington State Parks for the Cascade
Rail Foundation to manage the South Cle Elum Railyard's development and
operation.  The agreement was approved by the State Parks Commission
Thursday 10/14 at their meeting in Richland.  Brian Lee and Mary Pittis
were in attendance, and noted it was passed at High Noon.  Many thanks
to everyone who worked so hard on negotiating the agreement, and
particular thanks to Tim Schmidt, Lake Easton State Park chief ranger,
who shepherded it through.  Special thanks also to Wayne McLaughlin at
Parks headquarters for his great work on the Agreement.

We have secured a $23,500 grant from the USDA Forest Service, matched
with another $23,500 from the Washington State Dept. of Community, Trade
and Economic Development to undertake a master plan/strategic plan to
guide the overall development of the South Cle Elum Railyard.  This work
will begin in earnest in December, with the goal of completing the plan
by June, 2005.  It will include a major marketing assessment,
organizational development plan, site plan, business plan update, and a
historic structures/condition assessment report on the electric
substation.  We will be bidding the strategic plan out on contract, so
if you know folks interested in bidding on it, please have them get in
touch with me.  The Request for Proposals should be ready sometime in
November.

And finally, we have a Milwaukee caboose! Several years ago, the Greater
Othello Chamber of Commerce and The Old Hotel acquired (with the support
of the Albert Casey T. O'Neil Foundation) two 1946 bay window rib-side
cabooses built in the Milwaukee shops.  The Chamber decided it was too
small for their needs for a visitor center, so the Cascade Rail
Foundation proposed, and the Chamber accepted unanimously, that we move
the second caboose to South Cle Elum.

The caboose will be developed into an interpretive exhibit to share with
the public the role these unique cars played in the history of the
Milwaukee Railroad.  The Old Hotel, under the steadfast guidance of and
management by Gladys Para, is developing their caboose into an
interpretive exhibit as well.  What other former division of the
Milwaukee Railroad can boast of having a bay window rib-side anchoring
each division point as bookends!  Very special thanks and
acknowledgement to Gladys for her role in helping negotiate this
agreement.  We are deeply appreciative of the Greater Othello Chamber of
Commerce for their vision and support.  Moving is anticipated for next
spring.  We are very interested to hear from anyone who would be
interested in being part of a special group to undertake the restoration
of the caboose.

The next board meeting of the Cascade Rail Foundation will be held in
Kent, at Ron Cole's Edward Jones office this coming Saturday, Oct. 23,
10am-3pm.  All board meetings are open, and your attendance is invited
and encouraged.

Feel free to e-mail me at any time with comments, suggestions,
critiques, or just to gossip.  Your involvement is always welcomed and
encouraged.

DMG

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October 14th, 2004 Archaeology Month Event by: Mark Borleske

On Saturday, October 9th, the Cascade Rail Foundation sponsored our annual
Archaeology Month Event. The event featured an open house tour at the depot
and guided tours of the Rail Yard Trail. The turnout seemed a bit sparse
(roughly 30 to 35 visitors through the whole day), but the visitors were
very interested in what we had to offer. One of the comments that I received
from a local resident was "I never knew all this stuff was back there."
There was a mix between local Cle Elum and Easton area residents, Seattle
residents and others who have previously visited South Cle Elum.

It was a pleasure to show the Mendenhall Brothers the Rail Yard Trail and
discuss some of the relics and artifacts. We had the pleasure of having our
distinguished benefactors, Mark and Rae Lembersky visit the site. The
Lembersky's have made a generous donation to the Cascade Rail Foundation for
the Rail Yard Trail and the Interpretive signs that are being designed. It
was truly a pleasure to present the graphic designs for the Interpretive
signs. They were impressed at the progress and were impressed with the
excellent work that Matthew Wenz has done in the graphic design and layout
of the signs.

Although the weather was cloudy, a bit drizzly,  overcast and generally fair
(at best). It was much worse in Seattle, and I am sure that the weather
placed a role in the relatively quiet turnout at this event. The local
newspapers as well as the Post Intelligencer "Getaways" section featuring
weekend events was good publicity for us, and I am confident that we can
continue to tell our story to these media outlets as well as to the Seattle
Times.  I was reminded by State Parks of the need to clear press releases
through the Public Information Officer on events taking part on State Parks
Property. I am wondering if that policy has been addressed in the Concession
Agreement.

In retrospect from October 2003 to October 2004, we have come a long, long
ways. The trail is a reality and it continues to get better and the
archaeology features of the trail continue to get more attention,
foundations are once again becoming visible. The current season will take is
through creating the "Entry Portal kiosk"  at the beginning of the trail,
the creation of two interpretive signs to hopefully be put in place before
winter to serve as a testing ground.  Design work continues on the remainder
of the signs for the trail (and we might include several other topics to our
list of interpretive signs: "Inside the Depot", "The Depot
Lunchroom/Beanery" and in recognition of the source of the caboose:
"Othello".

Once again I would like to take this time to recognize and thank all of you
who have supported the Rail Yard Trail and making it the successful project
it has become. The year 2005 should see more improvements to the trail and
several major features including installation of the entire set of
interpretive signs, installation of benches, some improvement to the trail
surface, possible construction of the trail parallel to the John Wayne Trail
from the beginning of the interpretive trail (key point #1) to where it
breaks away from the main line (near key point #2). We are currently working
with the Art Institute of Seattle to create a graphic identity for the
Cascade Rail Foundation, and one of the first tangible projects is a
brochure for self-guided visitors to the Rail Yard Trail. And I am sure that
other improvements and cleanups will take place in the roundhouse, clinker
pit areas, and possibly expose and illustrate the areas of the old ice
house, car foreman's office, lumber shad and other buildings and facilities
in the vicinity of the roundhouse and clinker pit. Continuous improvement on
the Rail Yard Trail.

I would also like to thank our "hospitality lady" of the event, my friend
Kathie Technow, who served up hot cider and cookies in the depot and greeted
our visitors.

Respectfully submitted,
Mark Borleske

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September 28th, 2004 Milwaukee Road Rail Yard Tour by: Mark Borleske

Milwaukee Road Rail Yard Tour
South Cle Elum, Washington
Saturday, October 9, 2004
11 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tours start at the Depot on Milwaukee Road

Visitors are invited on a walking tour through the site of the Milwaukee
Road South Cle Elum rail yard, sponsored the Cascade Rail Foundation.
Located on Iron Horse State Park, the depot and substation and rail yard
site are owned and administered by Washington State Parks & Recreation
Commission. The tour is one of many events commemorating October as
Washington Archaeology Month.

An interpretive trail runs through the 12-acre site the South Cle Elum
Railyard National Historic District. The trail was established in October of
2003 and was surfaced in May of 2004 as a joint effort of volunteers working
with Washington State Parks. The site includes a 1909 wooden depot
undergoing rehabilitation, a railroad electrical substation built in 1917
and the ruins and foundations of the roundhouse, turntable and other steam
locomotive facilities. Other nearby railroad-associated buildings located
off-site include the original bunkhouse, now a bed and breakfast facility,
and three bungalows built as homes for railroad employees that are now
private residences.
 

By 1909 the Chicago, Milwaukee & Puget Sound Railway's transcontinental
extension to Seattle-Tacoma had reached South Cle Elum. The railroad
actively promoted it as a new town site along its main line, where it
established a crew change station and roundhouse for steam locomotives. By
1920 the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad, now the official
name but soon shortened to "The Milwaukee Road" had installed an innovative
system of electrification. It would allow clean and quiet electric
locomotives to power trains over the Cascade Range. The brick substation is
one of a series of 22 such buildings, constructed to support the
electrification that moved Milwaukee Road traffic over five mountain ranges
between Montana and Puget Sound.

The Milwaukee Road went through a cycle of increased traffic and brief
prosperity during and innovation in the 1940s and '50s followed by a slow
decline into the 1970's. After a third bankruptcy, The Milwaukee Road
abandoned the route in 1980.

The Cascade Rail Foundation, a volunteer non-profit organization, is active
in the rehabilitation of the depot and substation. One of its current goals
is the establishment of a Rail Yard Interpretive Trail through this historic
site. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING.

For more information view the website at:

www.milwelectric.org

MEDIA CONTACT:
Mark Borleske (206) 938-8339
mwb 09/27/04
 
 

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August 18th, 2004 Interpretive Trail Update by: Mark Borleske

Saturday, August 14th, we had a work party at the Raul Yard Trail. Mike Burbage and I worked on cleaning out the turntable pit. Donovan and Gary Holcombe were inside the depot pulling out the old floor in the kitchen area. David Newcomb joined us later in the day, after giving a presentation at Tacoma. Although the turnout was pretty light, we managed to accomplish a lot. 

Mike was a real trooper, working away at clearing out the inner wall of the turntable. The results are pretty impressive, with a lot of the dirt cleared out and the concrete foundation more visible. More work needs to be done, but this sets the standard for the rest of the cleanout. I hauled out a lot of debris, mostly rusted cans and metal junk, broken glass and tree limbs. Just two guys working by hand managed to clean out quite a bit of the pit. The next stage of the turntable cleanup will require mechanized equipment, some kind of a bucket loader to pickup and clear out concentrations of cans and garbage and old tree limbs. One work session with a front end loader or tractor with a bucket should bring the turntable pit up to a new level. 

Along the route of the trail I pulled out weeds, which might be the biggest threat to the trail work we've done to date. Some of the weeds are attacking the packed gravel, so weed control might be needed, but hand pulling seems to be sufficient right now. There were some pretty invasive weeds that were taking over in roundhouse stall #8, 
Since it is summer and the growing season is well underway, it isn't just the weeds that are growing. The apples are appearing in profusion on our trees in the Rail Yard (near the water tank and across from the bungalows/substation). In addition we had a wonderful find....we have one stalk of corn growing near the roundhouse, near stall #1, (western stall). As the photo shows, it is well over knee high. 

While digging through the debris of the turntable pit, we found various little treasures, including pieces of broken crockery and china. Now that we know for sure the Interstate Company ran the concessions for the depot lunch rooms, we have found several good examples of discarded plates and china stamped with the Interstate Restaurants logo. Unfortunately the plates were broken, which is why the pieces ended up in the turntable pit . 

In other items away from the Trail, work continues on the design of the Interpretive Signs, bids and cost information is being gathered for the benches, the design work on the trail brochure is in preliminary stages, preliminary design and cost estimates are being gathered for a "portal" kiosk near the start of the trail. Research on the text for the narrative continues, and I recently received a reply to my list of questions which was very informative. I am also securing permission for photos used in the draft edition of the interpretive sign layouts and am securing other photographs. A lot of work is involved, but it represents a process of development to a quality finished result. 

I look forward to seeing you out at the trail site, during the upcoming volunteers picnic, during the Archaeology Event coming up in September and October respectively. A work party will be scheduled for the interpretive trail, but have to line up equipment availability for it first. 

Regards,

Mark Borleske
 

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July 29th, 2004 Interpretive Trail Update by: Mark Borleske

Work Party at South Cle Elum Rail Yard,
Saturday, August 14th
 

There will be a work party at the South Cle Elum Railyard Interpretive Trail 
on Saturday, August 14th. Starting time is 9:00 am.  This is for a  general 
cleanup and brush cutting along the new interpretive traill and at 
interpretive keypoints.  There will be a cleanout of the turntable pit, 
mostly cans and tree limbs. At the roundhouse ,we will commence the 
excavation of one of the roundhouse stalls. There is debris in the clinker 
pit (again mostly cans with some metal banding) which needs to be cleaned 
out. There is some brush that needs to be cut along the trail.

So come on out and help bring the historic features of our once thriving 
steam locomotive terminal back. All kinds of help is needed, bring your 
shovels, rakes, pruning sheers and chainsaws (fire conditions permitting). 
Sturdy work shoes and gloves should be worn.

The South Cle Elum Rail Yard Interpretive Trail passed through a historic 
railroad site, formerly operated by the Milwaukee Road between 1909 and 
1980. The 14 acre site is now owned by Washington State Parks and Recreation 
Commission and supported through volunteer efforts of the Cascade Rail 
Foundation.

If you have questions or would like to RSVP, please contact Mark Borleske at 
cmstpp@hotmail.com
or visit the website at
Milwelectric.org

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July 6th, 2004 Depot Update by: Russ Holter

Dear Friends,

Washington State Parks has picked up and delivered a new batch of ties donated to our organization by the City of Arlington.  Hooray.

We have also received a contract to start work on the Signal restoration project.  Unfortunately, though we have been waiting for this day to come for awhile, the time could not be worse
as Jim Foster, the Signal Maintainer for Tacoma Rail and our technical expert is not well.

The final draft of the partnership agreement was forwarded to us from Parks.  It appears the agreement will go before the Parks Commission in October.

David Newcomb and Brian Lee have reviewed the interior construction documents for the depot and both reported that the documents were well prepared.  The contract for completing
the depot will be executed in October and the Legacy Construction Company will conduct a vast majority of the work.  They were responsible for the fine window and door work and
the fact they will remain on the project is exciting news.

Washington State Parks purchased a new Ranger residence immediately across the street from the depot.  Having a Ranger living in South Cle Elum will be huge advantage to us and the
community.  Though we would have preferred that Parks purchase one of the historic buildings instead, the negotiations fell through.  However, this is a great win for both organizations.

There was a well-attended remembrance service for Jim Holzworth at the Nature Center in Tacoma.  Friends who came out to remember what Jim did to keep the Milwaukee Road
artifact collection together and find a home for it included myself, Wayne Ferrier, Bob Freeman, Gary Ostlund and Clint Cannon.  Memorials to Jim Holzworth can be made to the
Cascade Rail Foundation.  Mary Pittis reports that several have already come in.  Thank you to all who have contributed.

We are losing a dear friend to our organization as Gary Ostlund is moving back to the mid-West.  We will miss him greatly. 

Saturday the 10th will be the next meeting of retired Milwaukee Road employees at the Freighthouse in Tacoma.

This week marks the third annual Thomas the Tank Engine event for the Cascade Rail Foundation.  The HO train layout crews will move into the Snoqualmie depot Thursday.  The
display can be set-up any time before 6pm.  This is a two-week event and we seem to have the first weekend fully staffed.  The second weekend is wide open.  We need volunteers to
work Friday, Saturday and Sunday 8:30 to about 4:30 each day.  First train out is at 9.  Please let me know what your availability will be for these dates or I will send Donovan after you.

Donovan Gray is back from jolly ol’ England looking better than I have ever seen him: rested, relaxed and tanned.  He is anxious to get to work on his new responsibilities with the
Cascade Rail Foundation.  Expect an update from him soon as to when we will be meeting next. 

I am about 1/3 of the way finished with the rough draft of my book.  I wish to have the first draft completed by New Years.  Thanks for all of you who sent words of encouragement and
I apologize to Mark for getting Kathy’s name wrong on the last update that I sent out.

Russ

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June 15th, 2004 Depot Update by: Rruss Holter

Dear Friends, 

The Discovery Day celebration was a good success and I think it will grow and bring more and more folks to our depot as people learn that they can recreate in the Cle Elum area and have good amenities.  We met many new people who were astonished at what we had accomplished when they came to visit our site.  Many thanks to those who helped out especially Mark Borleske and his friend Kathie who greeted visitors and conducted tours.  I also want to thank Brian Lee and his friend Erin, and of course Doug and Mary Pittis.  Chris Scarlett was going to be there both days but he took up a special assignment of stewing up about five gallons of chili for the dedication.  This was a major accomplishment given the short lead-time that he had in which to operate.  We made some new friends this weekend like Gary and Lori Pember, Lori was a real trooper and rolled up her sleeves and went to work amongst relative strangers like we had been old friends.  I also want to thank Terry, Marlene and Brian Wade, the John Wayne Trail Riders, and the Puget Sound Railcar club.

One item of housekeeping, Brian Lee found a digital camera in the depot when we were cleaning the depot on Saturday morning.  If you lost one during the week or at the last work party, let me know and we will get it back to its rightful owner.  Mark asked me to find out if someone has his Milwaukee Road stamps that we were using to mark the passports on the scavenger hunt.  In all the confusion, they seemed to have gotten misplaced. 

I received a rather impolite phone call from the mayor of Othello saying that the caboose was not going to Cle Elum under any terms and that I am supposed to tell everyone from our organization to stop inquiring about it.  I am not certain what that was all about.  I don’t know of anyone from this organization that approached her on the subject.

The memorial services for Jim Holzworth will be Sunday June 27th from 1:30 and 3:30 at the Tacoma Nature Center at Snake Lake Park in Tacoma.  There will be some new faces at the Milwaukee Road retirees meet at the Freighthouse in Tacoma on July 10th. 

The next event for the model railroaders will be the Morton Steam Up.  The town of Morton is celebrating the renewal of active rail service after a 20+ year hiatus.  The Morton Steam Up is June 26th and it should be fun. 

Calling all volunteers, it is that time once again to sign up for the Thomas the Tank Engine event at the Snoqualmie Depot sponsored by the Northwest Railway Museum.  I need at least four volunteers per day for the following days to be successful.  The dates are July 9, 10, 11 and again the following weekend for July 16, 17, & 18.  Getting the word out on our project is fun and it is great to meet all the people that we would otherwise not have an opportunity to meet.  Let me know your availability as soon as possible. 

As some of you already know, I have stepped down as President of the Cascade Rail Foundation to spend more time with my son and to concentrate fully on the writing of my book.  The centennial for the train to the mountain will be marked next summer and I don’t want to miss a golden opportunity to market the book.  Donovan Gray is the interim-President until he calls a board meeting and a consensus taken as to what direction the board will take.

Please set aside September 18th on your calendars for the volunteer’s picnic at the Iron Horse Inn Bed and Breakfast.  We have much to be thankful for and it will be a good time for everyone involved.

Russ

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June 15th, 2004 Interpretive Trail Update by: Mark Borleske

South Cle Elum Interpretive Trail (update)

The Interpretive Trail was opened during the weekend of June 12-13 as part
of the Mountains to Sound Greenway Discovery Day events. The trail saw good
crowds during the two-day event.

During the course of trail tours conducted by Rruss and myself, as well as
watching others on their own self-guided trips over the route, I was able to
watch how people reacted to the trail. The biggest concern for a self-guided
tour is that signs to get the traffic flow to go clockwise, to correspond
with the chronological history of the trail. I have noticed some people
wander from the depot to stop #16 and travel the trail in reverse reserve
order. Signs and a definite orientation and starting point for the trail
need to be established for the self-guided visits.

The physical layout of the trail is good, and I don't foresee any major work
required except for  cleaning up some of the debris along the route, a bit
of raking and manicure of the surface near the trail, cleanout of the
turntable pit, cleanout of at least one roundhouse stall for interpretation;
all part of a continuous improvement process. (State Parks still has some
unifnished business with a stump pile and a dirt pile in the
roundhouse/tunrtable area). As the trail settles in and it is subject to
traffic and the elements, we might have to schedule a maintenence party
later this season and for the Spring season of 2005.

T next  major work on the trail now shifts offsite;

Establishment of permanent signs for the trail. I have a set of rough
layouts for the interpretive points and will be bringing these ideas to a
graphics artist and interpretive specialists for  refinement, enhancement
and ultimately; approval of State Parks and fabrication.
In addition, I am still obtaining information and gathering photos for the
interpretive panels and consulting with  a "panel of experts", Milwaukee
Roaders and historians on some unanswered questions.

Establishment of resting benches. I am seeking designs and bids on at least
four sets of resting benches, which are part of the criteria for the
"accessibility" requirements for the trail. I am seeking pricing and specs
using different materials, including steel framed with wood surface,
recycled composite material, etc. If you know of someone who would be
appropriate for a bid on benches, please let me know.

Self-guided interpretive brochures. This is going to be a key element,
especially until permanent signs are installed. There are markers for 16
"key points" which refer to interpretive handouts. Work is underway on an
attractive guide to the interpretive trail that can be used for self-guided
visitors. This guide will be illustrated (probably with "line art"), include
a map, and have short comments about the key points along the way.

I would like to extend special thanks to Brian Lee as acting as defacto
construction manager of this project and working to make things productive
and efficient, Rruss for his help in assembling an army of volunteers and
acting as a tour guide, to Doug Pittis, David Newcomb, Donovan Gray, Tom
Goldsmith and Chris Scarlett for help make in clearing the trail and making
it a reality. There were volunteers and friends from the community, from the
John Wayne Foundation and from the Northwest Railfans Group who came over
and pitched in to make this a success. Lastly, I would like to credit key
donors to the cause, Mark Lembersky and Rae Lembersky, who made a grant to
Cascade Rail Foundation for the trail work and for its next phase, the
Interpretive signs.

Respectfully submitted,
Mark Borleske

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June 6th, 2004 Depot Update by: Rruss Holter

Dear Friends,

This is the busiest week I have had in the five years that I have been working on this project.  First of all let me thank everyone who came out and attended the huge work party last Saturday.  By 9am, Brian Lee was doubting that the project would get done by next Sunday, but by 12:30 a small army of volunteers had effectively completed the entire trail and everyone was pleased with how well coordinated the work force was, and how much hard work was put into constructing the trail.  Please go to the website and see the wonderful results.  Thanks to Mark Borleske and Brian Lee for keeping the project moving forward.

Huge kudos to Lake Easton State Parks staff who busted their butts last week to clean, grade and excavate around the depot.  The new phone, electrical and cable have been installed as well as the new water service.  Parks staff is working this week to get the site ready for the dedication this weekend by Parks Director Rex Derr.  Hopefully this dedication will take place on our new depot platform.  The contractor was back out on site last week making minor modifications to the depot and repaired the damage caused by vandals. 

Congratulations to Donovan, his grant request before the Forest Service was recommended for funding.  This will bring $23,500 to the project.  Donovan is leaving on Wednesday for a much needed rest and relaxation in London. 

Tom Goldsmith was a saint for taking the old van back to his house after the work party on Saturday.  Now we can liquidate it.  Anyone interested in a good cargo van? 

Ray Horton is drafting revisions to the signal contract.  I really appreciate his expertise and time to this project.

A letter to the Mayor of Othello was sent expressing our willingness to acquire the orphaned Milwaukee rib-sided caboose.  Get down on your old prayer bones on this issue, it is far
from being a done deal.

Saturday and Sunday will be the Mountains to Sound Greenways Discovery Days.  Volunteers and retirees will be on hand both days to take guest through the depot and the newly installed interpretive trail.  Sunday afternoon, Parks Director Rex Derr and 13th District Representative Bill Hinkle (R) will arrive for the dedication of the depot.  This ceremony is
expected to start at 2:30.  Please come out and help us celebrate.  We need to have a small detail arrive Friday afternoon with brooms and a shop-vac to clean up the depot for our guests this weekend.  Dumpsters will be on site by Friday.  If you can spend some time on Friday PLEASE let me know.  Chris, can we set-up the computer with a CD of the website at
the depot as an interpretive display this weekend?

The model railroad will be featured in an upcoming edition of Rail Model Journal.  Outstanding work by our modelers will finally be recognized by a journal with a national distribution.  The new snow sheds are amazing in detail and are museum quality in their construction.  Great work.  The next event for the model railroaders will be the Morton Steam Up.  The town of
Morton is celebrating the renewal of active rail service after a 20+ year hiatus.  The Morton Steam Up is June 26th and it should be fun. 

Calling all volunteers, it is that time once again to sign up for the Thomas the Tank Engine event at the Snoqualmie Depot sponsored by the Northwest Railway Museum.  I need at least four volunteers per day for the following days to be successful.  The dates are July 9, 10, 11 and again the following weekend for July 16, 17, & 18.  Getting the word out on our project is fun and it is great to meet all the people that we would otherwise not have an opportunity to meet.  Let me know your availability as soon as possible. 

Please set aside September 18th on your calendars for the volunteer’s picnic at the Iron Horse Inn Bed and Breakfast.  We have much to be thankful for and it will be a good time for everyone involved. 

Russ
 

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June 1st, 2004 Depot Update by: Rruss Holter

Dear Friends,

The biggest work party we have ever called for is just days away and I wanted to give you an update on what was or will be happening soon. 

Washington State Parks has crews working at the depot site right now.  They are cleaning up the grounds, removing wood debris around both the depot and the substation.  By Friday the fence will be down and the all the underground utilities will be installed.  The area from the trail to the road will be graded smooth.  Next week, Parks staffers will be working on the
new station platform. 

Saturday is the big work detail.  We will have 20 to 22 dump truck loads of rock to spread over the interpretive trail.  Our volunteers have pledged to bring in two tractors for spreading the material, thanks to John Barker and Terry Wade.  Parks will have two machines and two operators, one for the backhoe and another for the roller.  We will need at least three teams
of volunteers to work with the operators using shovels and rakes and provide logistical support.  Other volunteers will be tasked with cleaning up the site of vegetative material.  Brian Lee will be on hand and may grab a volunteer or two to provide support for some special projects that he is working on inside the depot.  We really need your help with this one and could
use as much morale support that we can get.  Meet us at the depot at 9am with shovel, rakes and gloves.

Two reasons why we need moral support: less than a week after the beautiful new windows were installed, someone vandalized the depot by smashing one of them.  Another reason we need your support is because we have been for leaning too much on too few volunteers.  This has left the distinct impression that support for this organization is waning or that you don’t care.  A good turn out can really stop some of the tongue wagging that has been coming from some rather surprising places.

Meanwhile, back in Tacoma, Ron Cole will be holding a mini-work party for the HO model train display on Saturday as well.  There will be several hundred train fans for a trainfest that the Freighthouse Square is sponsoring and Ron would like to have extra bodies on hand to help with the display and talk to visitors.  If you cannot attend the work party at the depot, then wont you consider helping Ron out at the Freighthouse?  Contact Ron at rons22twain@yahoo.com if you can help.

On Saturday, June 12th, the Milwaukee retirees will be meeting at the Freighthouse for breakfast.  June 13th, Washington State Parks Director Rex Derr will be at the depot at 2:30 for an official dedication of the structure and the interpretive trail.  We will have a contingent of retirees at the depot, many of whom don’t get a chance to see very often.  We will also have a display of railroad speeders and guided tours of the interpretive trail.  Hope to see you there.

Russ 

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May 23rd, 2004 Depot Update by: Rruss Holter

Dear Friends,

The changes that are being made to the depot are fast,
furious and amazing.  Monday the contractor came out
to the depot to install the windows and the doors. 
What an amazing difference!  The windows have all been
rebuilt with architectural glass and authentic
hardware.  They are all double-hung, operable sash
windows and Parks is so proud of them that they bought
new plexi-glass covers for them so that everyone can
see them.  Even the transom windows are operable with
antique looking hinges and fresh paint-wow, you just
can't believe how motivating it is go into the depot
and not have to fumble around in the dark to find a
light switch.  The detail in the doors is just
incredible.  The new freight door is an exact replica
in every detail and as Doug and Brian will attest,
that mother is HEAVY!

The new light has made it considerably easy to work in
the depot and that theory was tested Saturday when
Dick Pittis of Cochran Electric assembled a team of
dedicated electricians to install the rough electrical
components to the depot.  Brian Lee and Doug Pittis
chased each other around the depot trying to stay
ahead of the electricians and fixing minor problems
along the way.  Needless to say the poor fellows were
out numbered 6 to 1 and had difficulty keeping up with
the crew. 

The electricians installed the panels, ran conduit
through the walls, installed all the junction boxes,
ran wiring and hung cans.  Watching these
professionals work reminded me of the fact that about
20 years ago, I came to the conclusion that I would
probably starve to death if I attempted to make a
living working in the family business.  Leanne Cochran
you are the greatest!  I am really sorry that I cannot
acknowledge everyone who was there by name, (Parks
took the sign-in book) but there were many folks there
who belonged to either the Cochran clan or the Pittis
clan and what a busy assembly of happy worker bees! 

Look for updates on the web as soon as Brian and Mary
get some pictures off to Chris.  You wont believe the
difference.

Other work getting done this weekend: the walls in the
kitchen were stripped and the historic material
salvaged wherever possible.   The walk-in freezer and
the bathroom walls were framed.  The kitchen annex was
reinforced and the framing for the double-swing
kitchen door was installed. 

What you can expect to see in the coming week.  Parks
is sending out a wave of construction/maintenance
staffers to the depot beginning Monday to start work
on the Interpretive Trail and the depot platform.  All
the large woody debris piles will disappear, a new
fence will be strung between the depot and the
substation.  The track jewelry will be moved over to
the substation where it wont be in the way.  The old
fence will be removed and the site graded from the
trail all the way down to the parking lot.  There is a
ton of material to move.  Most of the excess material
will be used to fill in some low spots on the
Interpretive trail heading out to the roundtable pit. 
Back at the depot, once the grading is done, Parks
will cut lines for all the utility laterals, install a
French drain and recover.  This will allow us to
rough-in the plumbing fixtures this summer.  Parks
also plans to burn some slash and remove all of the
fallen trees.

Now, this is where you come in.  Your next opportunity
to see all the wonderful changes being made to the
depot will be June 5th.  We will meet at the depot at
9am.  Bring a rake or a shovel with you and a pair of
gloves.  We will be installing the trail surface that
day.  The donations you have made to the Friends over
the years will be put to good use as we have ordered
20 dump truck loads of screening materials to be
leveled, surfaced and compacted to form our new
Interpretive trail.  I had the opportunity to inspect
this material with Brian Lee and the screenings will
pack almost as hard as asphalt but will provide just
enough give to make it a smooth walk and be
comfortably accessible by wheelchair.  Brian's
wheeling and dealing with the quarry will end up
saving about $600 of your donations just in the cost
of rock alone.

Parks will be providing a power auger, a small loader,
backhoe, a grader and a power roller to the trail
construction effort.  This will not be enough to get
the job done.  We need to provide at least one more
loader and operator.  We need at least 4500 series
loader with a 48" wide scoop on the front for
spreading the material along the trail bed.  If you
have one and can bring it along, let me know right
away.  A bigger machine will not be helpful because it
will be used to spread the material along the path;
larger machine will waste material--we don't want
that. 

Keep in mind that on June 12th the retirees meet at
the Freighthouse for breakfast and that the new
Interpretive trail and the depot will be opened to the
public for inspection all day.  Sunday, June 13th,
State Parks Director, Rex Derr and a delegation of
dignitaries will arrive around 2:30pm for a humble
ceremony celebrating the accomplishments that we have
made together over the course of the past five years. 
Everyone is invited to attend and enjoy the
festivities.

Russ

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May 12th, 2004 Depot Update by: Rruss Holter and Mark Borleske

Dear Friends,

First of all, I have updated the friends distribution
list to remove some dead addresses, updated others and
added some new friends so welcome.  I launch these
updates as needed so during the summer months you may
get one every two weeks, but during the winter you may
get one every two months. 

Mark Borleske's trail party last weekend was good
success despite a small turnout.  The following is an
excerpt from his report to the Board of the Cascade
Rail Foundation.

Interpretive Trail Update: We had a work party on the
Interpretive Trail on Sat., May 8th. The work party
was a bit short on manpower, with some Hard work put
in by Brian Lee, Doug Pittis and Russ Holter. Steve
Kingele of State Parks did double duty with a backhoe
and dump truck and did a Great job of clearing out the
slash pile of trees which was formerly piled directly
on the path of the interpretive trail near the
roundhouse.  Russ and I did some raking and shoveling
to clean out the foundations of the 8 Stall
roundhouse. The roundhouse foundation had previously
looked a bit rough after a tree cutting and excavation
effort with a bit of a heavy hand with mechanized
equipment.  Doug Pittis was everywhere, clearing out
sagebrush on the trail, clearing out a trash pile in
the roundhouse area and just helping out everywhere.
Brian was our weed control specialist, doing weed
control along the route of the interpretive trail.
Brian is also the hero for bringing in a huge amount
of donated electrical supplies for the depot
construction. We had a light turnout, but with State
Park's contribution of equipment, major cleanup
progressed. Still to come, removal of the stump pile,
cleanup of remaining slash pile and leveling out some
smaller dirt piles. For the Mountains to Sound
Greenway Event in June, the expectation is to have the
trail cleared of piles of tree debris, work to be done
by State Parks equipment. I will have a "mini-work
party" sometime after May 23rd and install temporary
signs similar to those red logo markers first seen on
the trail last October.

That was Mark's update.  Here's mine. 

Washington State Parks is donating a significant
number of hours, machinery and equipment towards
preparing the depot for the Mountains to Sound
Greenways Discovery Days June 12-13th event.  Parks
will be removing timbers from around the depot,
grading the interpretive trail, grading around the
depot and the parking lot.  Parks will also be
installing the trackside platform and ADA ramp to the
depot structure.  Parks staff will also be removing
tree stumps and burning some slash in preparation for
the big event.  Bravo Tim and Colleen.

Starting Monday, we should be seeing contractors
milling about the depot for three days re-installing
the windows and doors in the depot.  This is a
significant milestone in my estimation, as big as the
foundation or the roof work.  Imagine walking into the
depot and having it completely bathed in light, as it
once was when it was an active and vibrant part of the
community.  The windows will be protected with acrylic
until such time as the building is ready to occupy. 

I will be meeting with the Mountains to Sound
Greenways Kittitas County Coalition on May 22nd at
Easton for the final preparation of the coordinated
events.  We will also be discussing how to get the
depot ready for the event and some of the logistical
needs for those planning to attend.  The depot
dedication will be June 13th at 2pm.

Tim Schmidt, Lake Easton State Park Manager, and I,
would like to hold work party on Saturday June 5th. 
This party will be a major event.  We will be
installing the trail that day.  We will be ordering
about 200 yards (20 truckloads) of crushed rock and
volunteers will need to spread the rock, and compact
it to make the trail.  Parks will be providing a
backhoe and a vibra-packer to the work party.  I told
Tim Schmidt that I would try to get another
front-loading tractor for the work party.  There is
the possibility that there will be some construction
work that needs to be done on the depot that day such
as building the platform.  There should be some work
for everyone who wants to show-up and be involved at
every level of participation.  So mark your calendars
for June 5th and we will see you at 9am at the depot. 
Contact me if you need details of the work party. 
Cleelumdepot@yahoo.com

Russell

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April 29th, 2004 Depot Update by: Rruss Holter

Dear Friends,

There will be a work party on Saturday, May 8th at the
rail yard site at South Cle Elum. The Cascade Rail
Foundation (also known as Friends of the
South Cle Elum Depot) will be conducting a cleanup of
trees, brush and debris in preparation of the grading
of the rail yard interpretive trail.

The trail runs through the site of the Milwaukee
Road's yard and roundhouse facilities.

The work party will include hauling off branches,
brush and debris left on the rail yard and depot site
after tree cutting, depot renovation as well as
garbage left at the once abandoned and neglected site.
Volunteers are encouraged to wear work clothes
suitable for outdoor landscaping work; gloves, sturdy
shoes or work boots, a sun hat. There is a need for
landscaping rakes shovels and chain saws as well.

The work party begins at 9:00 am, Saturday, May 8th.
Lunch will be provided.

For more information, please contact Mark Borleske

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April 19th, 2004 Depot Update by: Rruss Holter

Dear Friends,

The first installment of rail was removed from
Arlington, and sent to the depot this weekend.  The
work went exceeding well once we got past the learning
curve.  Two things really slowed us down: getting the
track bolts to break free was mind-numbingly
aggravating and we had some trouble getting the right
equipment to break the bolts.  The first compressor
could not provide enough air to drive the ratchet, and
the second one was too big.  A $40 adapter later, we
were making progress.  Then we ran out of acetylene
after breaking half the track joints.  We tore the
last rail out about two o'clock Saturday afternoon,
once we gathered up all the bits and pieces, there was
little work for the volunteers to do.  All the rest of
the work such as staging, loading and grading required
the use of the machines.  When we left the site on
Saturday, we had half the ties pulled out and one load
of steel on the road to Cle Elum. 

From all appearances on Sunday, there was only a
half-days worth of work to do.  Dale from State Parks,
got all the ties out Brian Lee stopped by to sort,
stack and bundle ties for shipping.  When I arrived
about 11, the second truckload of steel was almost
ready to roll and all the ties were all bundled.  By 1
o'clock the second load of steel was on the road and
we had the small dump truck loaded with ties for the
dump.  I left at 2:30 when the second dump run of
rotten ties went to the landfill.  Dale, Steve and
Gordon from State Parks needed to load all the ties
and jewelry into the trucks and trailer and go home. 
Brian Lee called me at 6 to tell me that he was
finally leaving the site.  He said that picking up the
landscape ties, and loading the pallets and barrels of
jewelry took far longer than anyone had imagined but
that the site was clean and leveled smooth before
everyone climbed into their trucks and went home. 

From the feedback I have received from Arlington, they
are pleased with the outcome.  I am pleased with all
the good hard work that went into this effort
especially from Brian Lee.  Others with sore backs
today include David Newcomb, Donovan Gray, Mark
Borleske; railroad contractors Ron Perrone and the
Mendenhall brothers Vince and Rick were invaluable in
helping us get past the learning curve; volunteers
Gary Ostlund and Ned Ludington were busy and really
busted their butts and maybe a few knuckles too in
getting the job done.  State Parks provided Dale,
Steve, Gordon and Henry to the work party.  This is
the entire Construction and Maintenance Crew from Lake
Easton State Park; we could not have done this job
without them.  Everyone left Arlington satisfied and
with a greater appreciation for track work. 

For those of you who missed the fun of this work
party, the next one will be Saturday at 9am at the
depot.  Mark Borleske will be heading up a group to
construct the 4,000' historical trail.  Work will
include grubbing vegetation and clearing downed trees.
 Mark is planning on renting a chipper to make the
work of clearing the brush quick and easy. 

Russ

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April 12th, 2004 Depot Update by: Rruss Holter

m
Dear Friends,

Saturday is the big day for the Cascade Rail
Foundation as we marshal our troops out to Arlington
to pick-up the donation of rails and ties.  We can
start track demolition as early as 6am but cannot run
machinery on a Saturday until 7am according to City
code.  I would suggest an 8am start.  The first item
of business is pulling spikes and loosening the rail
joints.  Parks will pick each rail and load it on
there truck at the staging area located between our
track and the next BNSF yard track.  There is plenty
of space to put a flat bed and once we pull out the
rails and smooth out the surface with the excavator,
there will be space to turn the loads back out to the
highway.  We must leave the site clean and drag the
roadbed smooth before we leave.  Brian asked the city
if Parks made a single pass down the roadbed with the
excavator would that be good enough, and everyone
thought that should be adequate. 

We will pull out all the spikes along one side of the
rail and loosen all the track joints.  Parks will use
the machine to drag the rail to the staging area and
disassemble the pieces and load them onto trucks.
Meanwhile, our volunteers will be loosening jewelry on
the other rails.  Once the rails are off the ties,
they will be graded and sorted.  The junky ones loaded
in the dump truck, and the rest banded.  We need to
keep the relays together and the landscapers together
with other landscape ties.  Volunteers will then sort
jewelry and dump them in the barrels. 

Volunteers will need to be wearing safety shoes or
boots, eye protection, and leather gloves.  I will be
bringing hard hats for about eight people.  You will
be required to wear these items if you are working on
the rails or around the heavy equipment.

I received notification from Parks that the Cascade
Rail Foundation was awarded a contract for the
restoration of the block signals.  This project must
be completed this fall and should bring a small amount
of cash into the organization.  It will also give us
the resources necessary to rebuild the other block
signals in the substation. 

Hope to see you Saturday.

Russell

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March 24th, 2004 Depot Update by: Rruss Holter

m
Dear Friends,

The first volunteer work party of the year was an
unqualified success.  We had at least a dozen
volunteers who arrived early in the morning to blaze a
trail through the railroad yard for the interpretive
trail and assisted in the deconstruction of the shed. 
The day was nice and warm and the volunteers worked
diligently to load two 30-yard dumpsters with debris. 
That is the equivalent of 6 dump truck loads of junk! 
The inside of the depot is cleaner than anyone has
seen it.  The grounds around the depot were picked-up
including that huge tarp that was once the depot roof
and the donors' sign, which blew down in a windstorm,
was erected. 

The trail crews marked the trail, tagged trees to be
cut, set limits for the clearing of debris and shrubs
and identified archaeological features. 

This week, if you stop by the depot, you may find some
of the walls being framed in the interior of the depot
and Parks will have the excavator on site clearing out
brush, trees and debris.  I want to thank all who
showed up including Colleen Hawley, Steve Klingele,
Keith Wersland, Jason Both, David Newcomb, Mark
Borleske, Donovan Gray, Chris Scarlett, Doug Pittis,
Gary Ostlund, Mike Burbridge, Bill Prater, and John
and Ian 

The next major event for the Friends will be the work
party at Arlington to collect the donation of 550 feet
of rail.  This work party will be held on April 17th
and volunteers must have leather gloves and safety
shoes to participate.  I have half-dozen hard hats
that I will bring with me. 

Russ

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March 12th, 2004 Depot Update by: Rruss Holter

m
To The Friends of the South Cle Elum Depot:

Greetings.

I have some great news for you.  We are making
progress in a variety of fronts.  Sometimes it seems
like we have been talking about specific aspects of
the work for years with little progress.  Now for some
good news, Parks staff has developed a Letter of
Intent between Washington State Parks and the Cascade
Rail Foundation for the management of the depot.  This
letter was sent to the Parks Commission as a item for
review and action on an agreement could take place as
early as June.  With this letter, we can move forward
with soliciting funds, grants, and in-kind
contributions from a variety of different sources. 

Our first work party of the year is coming up quickly.
 It is scheduled for March 20th at 9am at the South
Cle Elum Depot.  Mark Borleske will be heading up a
work detail that will be out clearing small trees and
brush from the proposed interpretive trail.  Parks
will be providing several support staff, some pick-up
trucks, a 30-yard dumpster, some pull saws and loppers
to aid the clean up.  David Newcomb and Steve Klingele
will be leading a team to deconstruct the old shed and
prep the site for the new shed.

The City of Arlington has been in contact with Puget
Sound Region concerning the donation of 500 feet of
rail.  Please circle April 17th on your calendars for
the work party in Arlington to begin removing the
steel and the ties.  You will need to bring a strong
back, leather work gloves, eye protection, and safety
boots or shoes.  If you don't have the safety shoes,
we will attempt to find a job for you where you wont
hurt yourself.  During the work party, we will be
breaking down the steel, stacking and sorting the
jewelry, and bundling ties for Parks employees to
pick-up with their heavy equipment the following
Monday.  We will need some special equipment for this
job so let me know if you have a fork lift that can
pick a 1,265 pound rail, or a bundle of ties.  We also
need various track tools, such as tie-tongs, spike
pullers, mauls, chains and chain-binders, pallets,
55-gallon drums, a banding machine and banding and
anything else I cant think of at the moment.  I am
making a list of the materials that we will need and
will have more information after I have a chance to
talk to Ron Perrone this weekend about the logistic.

Don't forget the retirees breakfast tomorrow morning
at 9:30 at the Freighthouse in Tacoma.  You don't have
to be a retiree to attend.  While you are there you
can stop by and see the HO Train Layout in its new
home.  Ron, Tom, John and Nick have been working
Wednesdays and Saturdays to get the layout ready for
the 2004 train show calendar.

Russell Holter
President 
 

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February 23th, 2004 Depot Update by: Rruss Holter

m
Dear Friends,

The first volunteer work party of the year has been
set.  The following announcement is from Boardmember
Mark Borleske who will be heading-up a major portion
of the work that day. 

Saturday, March 20th is the date for the Spring
Cleanup Work Party at South Cle Elum.  This kicks off
the work season for 2004 and marks the First 
Day of Spring.  The effort commences at 9:00 a.m.

The areas of concern are demolition of the Caboose
Shack and continuing work on the Interpretive Trail.
There might also be some cleanup work near the 
fence line by the caboose shack.

On the route of the Interpretive Rail Yard Trail,
there will be brush cutting, brush cleanup, garbage
cleanout. Parts of the trail will be marked
to provide for clearly laid out borders for excavation
work to be done later.

David Newcomb will supervise the work party detail of
demolition of the caboose shack, keeping a careful eye
out for salvageable materials.

Hope to see you there.

On different note, it appears that the HO train layout
folks will have a permanent staging area for train
displays and construction.  We have been offered a
tidy piece of the Freighthouse for setting up the
displays and work space.  The HOTL team plans to
occupy this space beginning Wednesday evening at 5pm. 
All HOTL work parties will be conducted from
Freighthouse Square and the van will be moved to my
house for storage there.

Russ

m

February 8th, 2004 Depot Update by: Rruss Holter

m
Dear Friends,

Saturday February 7, 2004, marked the first board
meeting of the year.  Typical of the first board
meeting was the fact that it takes time to go through
all of the events and undertakings planned for the
upcoming season.  Unlike last year, where we had an
opportunity to let the contractors do all the work,
this coming season will packed with all types of
activities.  Both the paint mitigation specialist and
the window contractor will be on-site this month and
some significant progress should be seen on the
interior by the 1st of March.

We anticipate that we could have an operating
agreement with Washington State Parks as early as
mid-March.  This agreement will give our group the
opportunity to manage the Beanery, Museum and retail
operations conducted at the depot when it is open to
the public.  In an anticipation of this agreement,
Chris Scarlett offered his expertise in restaurant
management to head-up a sub-work group of the board to
plan start-up activities of the Beanery restaurant. 
If you have an interest in or experience in restaurant
operations and you would like to help Chris iron out
the logistics of starting up this important part of
the depot operation, please contact Chris as soon as
possible at trainmaster@milwelectric.org 

The Mountains to Sound Greenways will be holding a
100-mile long celebration of the John Wayne Iron Horse
Trail in June.  The events will culminate with a
dedication of the Easton Bridge and the South Cle Elum
Depot by Washington State Parks Director, Rex Derr on
Sunday June 13th. Other activities taking place that
weekend at the depot include Archaeological and
Historical tours of the train yard and structures, and
static displays by the High Country Trail Riders on
how to enjoy the outdoors without spoiling the land
for the next person.  The John Wayne Trail Riders plan
on riding from Hyak to Easton on Saturday and then
from Easton to S. Cle Elum while the International
Mountain Bikers will be holding an endurance rally
from Thorp to S. Cle Elum.  We hope to have members of
the Puget Sound Rail Car Club at the depot displaying
their speeder cars.

Pioneer Days for 2004 will be Friday-Sunday, July 2nd,
3rd, and 4th.  We will ask Parks if it would be at all
possible to set up some of the museum displays in the
waiting room of the depot for that weekend.  It would
be best if the waiting room area of the depot were
finished for exhibits, but even if we could open the
area to the public temporarily, it would be a big
morale boost to our volunteers who have worked so hard
to get to this point since we started this project in
1999.  We will need someone to step up to the plate to
take on some of the responsibilities of coordinating
the events for this weekend.  If you are interested in
coordinating this event, please contact me at
cleelumdepot@yahoo.com.

Because we are getting close to completion for the
interim museum operations at the depot, we need to
develop more comprehensive marketing materials for
distribution to the general public.  Some of the tools
that we could develop would include tourist rack
cards, press releases, posters and postcards.  If you
have a background in marketing or in graphic design
please contact me about helping me assemble these
resources.

Parks has sent a letter to the City of Arlington
Washington, expressing interest in acquiring 500' of
mainline railroad for re-use at the yard in S. Cle
Elum.  If Parks offer is accepted by the City Council,
we will need to quickly marshal a team of
strong-backed volunteers to go out to Arlington and
pull out the rail.  This work party would take place
in as little as four weeks so stay tuned.  If you have
any experience working a section crew, contact Brian
Lee or me, we are going to need all the help we can
get!

Mary Pittis, who is on the Board of Directors for the
Cascade Rail Foundation and for the Northern Kittitas
County Historic Society, expressed a desire by other
heritage associations in the County for an inter-local
agreement that would allow them to jointly fund a
full-time curator who could manage the collections of
the four historical associations in the area.

Ray Horton gave the Board an update on what he learned
while he was in attendance of the Campbell Center's
Curatorial Management Seminar in Illinois last summer.
 Ray has gained much insight in artifact collection
and preservation and will be drafting guidelines for
our collection policy.

Our first work party will either Saturday March 13th
or the 20th so mark those on your calendar and we will
let you know for sure in the next week or so.  The
purpose of the work party will be to clear brush along
the route of the interpretive trail and to disassemble
the old shed.  Mark Borleske will work with Ranger
Hawley to determine which trees and shrubs must be
removed, while David Newcomb will lead the group on
how to disassemble the shed with an eye towards
recycling some of the key components.  Stay tuned for
an update on this matter real soon.

The CRF cargo van is officially for sale.  If you are
in the market for such a van, please let me know right
away because it will be advertised for sale here in
about a month.  The asking price is yet to be
determined but send me an email if you are interested.

One of you nice people had a friend of yours contact
me about donating a baggage cart.  I have tried on
several occasions to contact this person but the phone
just rings.  In case I got the number wrong, have them
contact me again.

Russell
cleelumdepot@yahoo.com

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February 5th, 2004 22nd annual MILWAUKEE ROAD MEET by: Gary Ostlund

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DeThe West Coast railfans have scheduled their 22nd annual MILWAUKEE ROAD MEET for Saturday, March 27, 2004 at the Boeing Employees Recreation Center, in Kent, WA.  The Rec. Center is located just north of Highway 167, off Central Avenue.  Turn west on 224th and go to: 22645 - 83rd Road South.

 The event is scheduled to start at 1:00PM with a break for dinner.  Participants are encouraged to bring items in interest to Milwaukee railfans.   The show will feature slides, movies, videos, photo albums, models and other memorabilia.  Many times the slides are seen by the general public for the first time.  Bring your swaps and trades. 

 There is no admission charge, but donations will be collected to defray expenses.  THE SHOW IS OPEN TO EVERYONE INTERESTED IN THE MILWAUKEE ROAD.  Contact:  Gary O. Ostlund,  MILW Lines West, Box 37, Wauna, WA 98395.

Gary

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