On February 3, 1927, T.F. McGettigan, left, test engineer, and his helper E.R. "Red" Randolph, in doorway, pose with the great electric locomotive #5007 that they accompanied from Pittsburgh to Tacoma. The locomotive was constructed for the Great Northern Railroad by Baldwin Locomotive Works and Westinghouse Electric Co. working together. On completion, it was hitched to a through freight train, destination Everett, Wa. Although the engine was not working, it still needed care during the trip and McGettigan and Randolph were assigned that task. Freight trains make few stops and do not usually carry passengers, so the pair packed a ham and 13 dozen eggs and set up a small stove on the engine. They slept on planks suspended over the machinery and endured temperatures of 40 degrees below zero when crossing the Rockies. The behemoth locomotive was on display in Tacoma on February 2 (see G44.1-069) and then proceeded on to Portland, then Everett, where it was placed into service. (TNT 2/3/1927 p.14)

ca. 1933. Retiring Northern Pacific Stationmaster at office Union Station with his hand on the lever of the switchboard. Photograph ordered by the News Tribune.

ca. 1948. This photograph, taken in 1948, shows Engine No. 903 of the Tacoma Municipal Beltline Railway. In January of 1948, Tacoma bought two almost new 65-ton diesel locomotives through the War Assets Administration. The Beltline Railroad was able to buy both locomotives from the federal government for only $41,000. They had originally cost over a quarter of a million dollars. (TNT 01/14/1948 p.14)

ca. 1948. This photograph, taken in 1948, shows Engine No. 903 of the Tacoma Municipal Beltline Railway pulling freight cars on the Tacoma Tideflats. In January of 1948, Tacoma bought two almost new 65-ton diesel locomotives through the War Assets Administration. The Beltline Railroad was able to buy both locomotives from the federal government for only $41,000. They had originally cost over a quarter of a million dollars. (TNT 01/14/1948 p.14)

View looking south of the Northern Pacific Railroad track along Commencement Bay, Tacoma, Washington Territory, circa 1885. Sidewheeler steamship North Pacific at dock. The Northern Pacific wharf lay below today's Stadium Way and would serve, according to historian Murray Morgan, as a "third world between Old Tacoma and New Tacoma." (Morgan: South on the Sound, p. 48-49) KING-001, TPL-018.

Wharf scene on Commencement Bay, terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad, Tacoma, Washington Territory. Photograph was taken circa 1885. Masted ships are docked waiting to unload/load cargo.

Northern Pacific Railroad track along Commencement Bay, Tacoma, Washington Territory, circa 1885. Mt. Tacoma (Rainier) and tideflats in background. The railroad tracks were built on fill dirt. The water-filled half-moon section would also be filled in to become the railroad yard, called appropriately the "half-moon yard." KING-008, G76.1-101 (Digital copy only. No print or negative available).

Mrs. Duthie, sitting in a rocking chair, on Prospect St., young girl and doll on porch of house. Probably house of George Duthie at 5124 So. Prospect. Mr. Duthie worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad.

ca. 1908. Northern Pacific Railroad workers at South Tacoma Shops. Steam locomotive and crew

ca. 1908. Steam locomotive No. 10 probably on the Tacoma & Eastern Railroad outside Mineral, Washington.

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad was hosting a safety rally for their employees at the Odd Fellows Temple in Tacoma in January of 1949. Railroad officials from Tacoma, Seattle, Spokane, Chicago, Milwaukee and Butte would be attending the rally. Company officials stressed the importance of employee safety and would spend some time discussing accident prevention methods; H. J. McMahon is the Western District Safety Engineer, his headquarters are in Tacoma.

Railroad cars--Tacoma; Railroad locomotives--Tacoma; Railroad sidings--Tacoma; Railroad companies--Tacoma; Clouds; Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1920. Copy of Asahel Curtis print #51689 requested by the Washington State Historical Society on June 1, 1977. View of unidentified male and female along side of train. The couple are wearing railroad caps. The man is wearing a white shirt and striped tie under his somewhat soiled uniform.

Railroad locomotives; Clothing & dress--1920-1930;

ca. 1920. Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, Engine #10254. Copy of Asahel Curtis print #52236 requested by the Washington State Historical Society on June 1, 1977. The electric powered train pauses on the tracks circa 1920. This is one of the 60,000 Asahel Curtis images in the Washington State Historical Society collection.

Railroad locomotives; Railroads; Railroad tracks; Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Co.;

Specially modified railroad car at Tacoma's Burlington Northern facility photographed in May of 1972. This unit is resting on railroad tracks. Photograph ordered by Burlington Northern Railroad.

Railroad cars--Tacoma;

Several men examine closely the interior of a new Chicago, Milwaukee Railroad boxcar on March 7, 1968, at the railroad's yard. Both doors of the boxcar are opened; interior appears to be entirely metal. Photograph ordered by the Public Relations Department, Chicago, Milwaukee Railroad, Seattle.

Railroad freight cars; Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma);

How many men can fit through the doors of a new Milwaukee Road boxcar? At least eight on March 7, 1968. The Chicago, Milwaukee Railroad was exhibiting its new boxcars and new engines at the CMRR yard. Photograph ordered by Public Relations Department, Chicago, Milwaukee Railroad, Seattle.

Railroad freight cars; Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma);

All Aboard! A new Milwaukee Road engine is ready to roll in this March 7, 1968, photograph taken at the Chicago, Milwaukee Railroad yards. The railroad company had invested in several new boxcars and engines. Photograph ordered by Public Relations Department, Chicago, Milwaukee Railroad Co., Seattle.

Railroads; Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma);

Two Chicago, Milwaukee Railroad employees demonstrate the smooth opening of the doors to a new Milwaukee Road boxcar on March 7, 1968. Photograph ordered by the Public Relations Department, Chicago, Milwaukee Railroad, Seattle.

Railroad freight cars; Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma);

A man in hard hat and checkered jacket is pictured gazing over the Milwaukee-Cowlitz Tree Farm on October 25, 1968. A large wooden sign states that the tree farm is "for the present" and "for the future." Old-growth stands and young trees fill the landscape. Photograph ordered by the Milwaukee Road for their annual report.

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Trees; Signs (Notices);

Tracks are being laid at the site of the old Kent Airport in mid-July of 1969. They are being constructed next to what appears to be the old runway. Photograph ordered by the Milwaukee Road, Seattle.

Railroad tracks--Kent;

Rayonier locomotive #90 is loaded with logs on a late fall day in 1963. First known as Rainier Pulp & Paper Co. in 1926, the company realized that Western hemlock, plentiful on the West Coast, was a prime source of bleached paper pulp. Its first mill was established in Shelton in 1927. A few years later, Rainier research scientists joined with Du Pont, leading producer of rayon, to perfect the world's first pulp made from hemlock designed especially for the growing rayon field. 1937 saw the incorporation of the company as "Rayonier;" the name combining both rayon and Mt. Rainier, visible from the Shelton mill. Photograph ordered by Malcolm McGhie, industrial consultant, New York. (www.rayonier.com)

Railroads; Logs;

Stock footage, 1964. City skyline in background, looking onto Tideflats area. Taken apparently on a dark, cloudy day in November, 1964, this is a small glimpse into Tacoma industry. Railroad tracks run parallel to this waterway. Steam from a plant rises to blend into the cloudy sky.

Railroad tracks--Tacoma--1960-1970; Waterways;

Approximately 900 employees and guests of Northern Pacific Railway enjoyed the company's annual awards dinner on April 25, 1962. It was held in the Fellowship Hall of the Masonic Temple. View of head tables on stage; rows of people eating. Some men have ribbons pinned to their lapels while some women are wearing corsages. The South Tacoma Shops had won the annual President's Safety Award for the fifth time since the award's inauguration. Each year one railway shop between Tacoma and St. Paul was judged to have the best safety working record. (TNT 4-26-62, B-9)

Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1960-1970; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

The Masonic Temple's Fellowship Hall was packed with employees of the Northern Pacific Railway, their wives, railway officials, representatives of city, chamber and the South Tacoma Business Club, and railway medical staff on April 25, 1962, as the company enjoyed the annual awards banquet. Approximately 900 people were in attendance. View of long rows of tables; dais in background where dignitaries were seated. The South Tacoma Shops had won for the fifth time the annual President's Safety Award. Photograph ordered by Northern Pacific Railway. (TNT 4-26-62, B-9)

Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1960-1970; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

The "DUPONT" is docked awaiting delivery of cargo from the adjacent boxcars in a September 19, 1957, photograph. Railroad tracks run right up to the cargo ship which would make delivery easier and more efficient. This was one of the shipping methods used by the E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. to transport their explosives and other products. TPL-9247

Railroad tracks; Railroad locomotives; Railroad freight cars; Cargo ships; E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. (Dupont);

ca. 1957. Copy of customer print. The interior of a Northern Pacific Railway refrigerator car shows it empty of any cargo. Warning signs are posted on each door; nails are not permitted to be driven into the doors. A smaller sign indicates that thresholds must be cleared before the doors are closed. Floor of the refrigerator car appears to be made of wood. This was a new car; put into action September, 1957. Photograph requested by Pacific Car & Foundry.

Railroad refrigerator cars; Signs (Notices); Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1957. Copy of customer print. A Northern Pacific Railway refrigerator car is stationary on tracks in a 1957 photograph requested by the Pacific Car & Foundry Co. All vital information regarding the boxcar is listed on its side, including weight, dimensions and capacity limits. Apparently this was a newly engaged car as of September, 1957. TPL-5838

Railroad refrigerator cars; Signs (Notices); Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma);

Approximately 1000 Northern Pacific Railroad Veterans were treated to a scrumptious banquet at the Masonic Temple on June 29, 1957, during the group's 33rd annual convention. There is a large banner welcoming the 1957 Veterans posted on pillars. Special Pullmans and coaches left St. Paul on June 25th to bring members from Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho and Washington to the two-day convention. There are approximately 3500 members of the Veterans group, consisting of employees and former employees with a minimum of 30 years of service. Dean Eastman of Seattle, Northern Pacific vice-president, was scheduled to speak at the banquet. Photograph ordered by Northern Pacific Railway. (TNT 6-19-57, C-9)

Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Northern Pacific Railway travel tour of 40 individuals posed in front of the Olympus Hotel on June 21, 1957. They may have been part of a Methodist congregation. Photograph ordered by Northern Pacific Railway.

Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Tourists--Tacoma; Olympus Hotel (Tacoma);

Northern Pacific locomotive 5405A, for Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborne.

Railroad locomotives; Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma);