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The Camas Prairie of today: Two CSP
RailNet B30-7 locomotives slow to a halt at Culdesac, Idaho, in May 1999. While the
ownership and paint scheme have changed, the challenge of railroading down Lapwai Canyon
hasn't--this is half of a unit grain train, and just as it was done when BN and UP
operated the railroad, this train is "doubling down" the hill. Jim Davis photo.
Camas Prairie links,
resources, etc.
For a railroad as interesting and picturesque as the Camas Prairie, there's
surprisingly little information on it available. Virtually any book about UP or Northern
Pacific operations in the Pacific Northwest will at least touch on the railroad. Among
these are Charles Woods' "Northern Pacific," Ehernberger & Gschwind's
"Smoke Along the Columbia," and any of the Warren Wing photo compilations.
A great source to keep up with what's happening with the modern Camas Prairie, as well
as join in on discussions about motive power, operations, etc., from any era, is on Jim
Davis' Yahoogroups CSPRailroad mailing list.
I'd also recommend Chris Atkin's
large website on the Camas Prairie. Other internet sources include USRailfans' CSP
Railed page:
photos of RailNet equipment, and USRailfans Camas
Prairie RR Page: photos of equipment on the CSP. If you know of others, please notify
me at wallcloud@mindspring.com
Occasionally, magazines by Union Pacific and Northern Pacific's historical societies
have information about Camas Prairie as well.
These publications were instrumental in developing this website:
CTC Board, "Camas Prairie," by Mark Hemphill, May 1987. Wonderful
photos and a text that puts the railroads development and value to the region in
perspective.
Railfan Magazine, "The Camas Prairie," parts 1 (December 1977, by Todd
Sullivan) and 2 (February 1978, by Dave Clemens). Good late-70s overview of operations,
with good information and maps of stations.
Model Railroad Planning, 1998 Nice piece by Dave Clemens on developing a
model railroad about the Camas Prairie. Good diagrams of track arrangements and industries
on line.
The Camas Prairie: Idaho's Railroad on Stilts, by Hal Riegger, 1986, Pacific
Fast Mail. Well illustrated, folksy but historically hit-and-miss, it will have to suffice
until a comprehensive history of the railroad comes along.
Union Pacific Northwest, By Jeff Asay, Pacific Fast Mail, 1991. Corporate and
operational history of Union Pacific's once staggering O-WR&W franchise.
Various timetables and track profiles, Camas Prairie, Union Pacific, Northern Pacific,
Burlington Northern
Booklet from Potlatch on Lewiston mill complex
Varied articles from Spokane Spokesman-Review and Lewiston Morning Tribune.
| Who put this website together? This
site is the work of Blair Kooistra, relaxing, at right, in front of Camas Prairie rotary
plow 26 in Lewiston, Idaho, in January 1993. Blair spent a good portion of his life
in Washington state, and burned a good deal of time and film from 1991-1993 photographing
the Camas Prairie. He worked as a newspaper photojournalist from 1984-1994 before changing
career hats; he's now a train dispatcher for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway in Fort
Worth, Texas.
Remember: Be safe out there! |
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Blair's World Camas Prairie Home Milltown
Second Subdivision Woods
Railroad Vintage Links,
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