The Tacoma Afifi Shriners were boarding a special train at Union Depot and heading to Helena, Montana for the Pacific Northwest Shrine Association Annual Conclave. They would first travel to Spokane, where additional train cars would be added and Spokane Shriners would travel with them to Helena. The Shriners would be sleeping in the train cars during their trip, due to a shortage of lodging in Montana. View of Afifi Shriners with their families seeing them off at Union Depot (T. Times, 4/25/47, p. 1).

Railroad locomotives--Tacoma; Railroads--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma carriers were rewarded with a weekend long ski party at the Snoqualmie Ski Bowl. Over 300 Tacoma carrier-salesmen boarded a Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific train and headed for Snoqualmie on Friday evening. The ski party was organized by the Tacoma Times circulation department. View of Times' carriers in front of the special Milwaukee, eight car train that brought them to Snoqualmie (T. Times, 1/27/47, p. 1, 16).

Railroads--Tacoma; Railroad tracks--Tacoma; Railroad locomotives--Tacoma; Newspaper carriers--Tacoma; Snoqualmie Ski Bowl (Snoqualmie);

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad had a new diesel streamliner, "Hiawathian". The streamliner has a 6000 horse-power motor, built by Fairbanks-Morse and General Electric. The engine has a 3000 gallon capacity for fuel oil, and uses four and a half gallons per mile. "Hiawathian" can travel 105 miles per hour. View of "Hiawathian" with two unidentified employees of Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad (T. Times, 2/26/47, p. 3-A).

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

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad's "Hiawathian" would make daily round trips between Tacoma and Avery, Idaho. This new train had a modern diesel engine, with two pistons to each cylinder, which came together on compression and separated on explosion. The two crankshafts are geared together at one end, and the lower crankshaft is the main one that drives the generator and air compressor on the same shaft (T. Times, 2/26/47, p. 3-A).

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

Chicago-Milwaukee Railroad officials and christening of the Olympian. A large crowd gathered to see the Olympian Hiawatha, Milwaukee's new diesel liner, christened on June 28, 1947. Its inaugural trip to Chicago was June 29, 1947. The new train cut the time of the Tacoma to Chicago service to 45 hours, 14 hours faster than formerly. (T.Times, 6/27/1947, p.1) TPL-9765

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad companies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Chicago-Milwaukee Railroad officials and christening of the Olympian. Dignitaries at the Union Station. Mr. M.H. McEwen, Seattle, Western Traffic Manager, addresses the crowd gathered to christen the Olympian Hiawatha on June 29, 1947. All members of the train's crew wore fancy dress for the occassion. Others on the platform are, L-R, Mrs. Harold A. Allen who christened the train, Joshua Green, Seattle, Pioneer Transportation Executive and Capitalist; F.N. Hicks, Chicago, Passenger Traffic Manager, L.K. Sorensen, Seattle manager, J.B. Johnson, fireman, R.V. Hanicker, engineer, Mayor C. Val Fawcett and R.B. Craig, conductor. (T.Times, 6/30/1947, p.1) TPL-9764

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad companies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Johnson, J.B.; Hanicker, R.V.; Craig, R.B.; McEwen, M.H.; Sorensen, L.K.; Green, Joshua;

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad. The Olympian Hiawatha was built by the Milwaukee Road for the Pacific Northwest. She was pulled by a diesel-electric locomotive. Brought on to do the Tacoma to Chicago run, she could make it to Chicago in 45 hours - 14 less then the previous train. All her cars were air conditioned, and she pulled several specialty cars including a dormitory-baggage car, Touralux sleeping cars, the Tip Top Grill car, and a dining car with angle seating. She was on display June 28, 1947 at the Milwaukee Road Station at 102 East 25th Street. (T.Times, 6/25/1947, p.11) TPL-9361

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroads--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad locomotives--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad tracks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad. The Olympian Hiawatha was built by the Milwaukee Road for the Pacific Northwest. She was a diesel-electric locomotive that would run between Tacoma and Chicago. She would make the run between the two cities in 45 hours, 14 hours less than previously. All cars were air conditioned and she was outfitted with a public address system. (T.Times, 6/25/1947, p.11)

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroads--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad locomotives--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad tracks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Connors Steel & Supply. A railroad car with a winch on one half of the car, the other half is covered with a light structure similar to a caboose. A man stands leaning against the siding of the structure.

Railroad cars--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hoisting machinery;

Connors Steel & Supply. A railroad car with a winch on one half of the car, the other half is covered with a structure similar to a caboose. This closer view gives greater detail of the winch.

Railroad cars--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hoisting machinery;

The Bellarmine High School Lions football team, the school Booster Club and Honorary Yell Queens are at Union Depot getting ready to head out to Yakima on a special six coach chartered train. More than 250 students were headed to Yakima for the football game against Marquette High School, Bellarmine intended to beat Marquette and celebrate on the train ride home. Names appear in newspaper (T. Times, 11/7/47, p. 17).

Railroad cabooses--Tacoma; Railroads--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; Union Station (Tacoma); Megaphones; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad stations--Tacoma; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma);

Leon and Doris Titus are getting ready to board their train from Union Depot on October 17, 1947. Leon Titus, owner of Titus Ford, was just appointed as the Ford dealership representative at the National meeting, for this region. Doris is accompanying her husband on his trip to the Ford meeting. View of Mr. and Mrs. Titus standing by their train, just minutes before departing.

Railroad stations--Tacoma; Railroads--Tacoma; Railroad passenger cars--Tacoma; Union Station (Tacoma); Titus, Leon E.--Family; Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A 40 car Milwaukee main line freight train plowed into a yard engine near East 11th St. and Milwaukee Way, killing one man. The accident occurred while a yard crew was making up a main line eastbound track changes. Trainmen believe the switch engine moved into the wrong track, and the freight train engineer did not stop for a long enough period. View of steaming wreckage, crushed cab is marked No. 126 (T. Times, 10/16/47, p. 1).

Railroads--Tacoma; Railroad tracks--Tacoma; Railroad accidents--Tacoma; Railroad cars--Tacoma; Disasters--Tacoma; Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma);

The freight train is said to have moved forward before the track switch was completed, the train then "cornered" the engine, and the caboose crushed into the left side of the cab, pinning Sigvard Hill and killing him instantly. The railroad company plans to have a complete investigation. View of steaming wreckage and overturned cars near East 11th St. and Milwaukee Way. (T. Times, 10/16/47, p. 1).

Railroads--Tacoma; Railroad tracks--Tacoma; Railroad accidents--Tacoma; Railroad cars--Tacoma; Disasters--Tacoma; Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma);

Kindergarteners and first graders from Fern Hill School visited the Union Pacific Depot and the Northern Pacific roundhouse in early November of 1947. The children were able to take a railroad trip and inspect the rail equipment at the railroad grounds. This field trip was one of the activities planned by Tacoma schools, which is being used to promote the reading readiness program. Children shared their train experiences on the return trip to Union Depot. View of Fern Hill's school children, teachers, volunteers and train staff (T.Times, 11/14/47, p. 1, 17). TPL-9089

Railroads--Tacoma; School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad locomotives--Tacoma; School excursions--Tacoma; Railroad cars--Tacoma; Union Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Fern Hill School (Tacoma);

Fern Hill's kindergarten and first grade classes were receiving a tour of the Northern Pacific's roundhouse, inspecting rail equipment and would get to ride aboard a Union Pacific train in November of 1947. In appreciation for the field trip the school children presented the railroad companies with a train frieze from their art class. View of Fern Hill's school children, teachers, volunteers and train staff at the Northern Pacific Roundhouse near East D St. and So. 23rd St. (T.Times, 11/14/47, p. 1, 17).

Railroads--Tacoma; School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; School excursions--Tacoma; Railroad roundhouses--Tacoma; Union Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Fern Hill School (Tacoma);

Chamber of Commerce delegation of about ten men going to Montana, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, Mr. Burns. Tacoma business men are standing by the engine of the Olympia Hiawatha ready for a tour to Montana the week of February 15, 1948. A well-diversified cross section of business and industrial interests were represented. They were to visit Butte, Helena, Great Falls, Billings and Missoula. Montanans were looking west for more of their needs and this trade promotion tour was designed to strengthen business ties between the two areas. L-R, Cecil Walrath, N.O. Galteland, Leo Gallagher, John Hamilton (on cab ladder), Fred H. Marvin, A.W. Hardy, Samuel Lister and Fred Sandstrom. The engineer, Sam Winn, is shown looking out from the engineer's cab. (T.Times, 2/9/1948, p.17; 2/16/1948, p.16) TPL-1711

Railroads--Tacoma--1940-1950; Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On March 8, 1948, Tacoma Scouts troop 78, representing a number of grade schools, was given a special tour through the South Tacoma Northern Pacific shops at 5102 South Adams Street accompanied by Scoutmaster H.F. DesVoigne (back row, far right). They were shown the huge 5,000 pound hammer used to pound out railroad drive rods and a 2 1/2 ton steam-operated hammer that was dropped by gravity and stopped by steam using manual controls. They watched as it was used to crack open a walnut without crushing it. The group is standing in front of Northern Pacific Railway Company engine number 98. ( The names of the scouts are listed in the Tacoma Times.) (McMurtrie) (T.Times, 3/12/1948, p.2)

Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Railroad facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad locomotives--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad companies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Railroad employees;

A group of workmen load 100 lb. bags of flour into a Southern Pacific railroad freight car at the Sperry Flour-General Mills plant on Tacoma's waterfront in February 1948. The company's facilities, on what is now Schuster Parkway, was ideally located between the railroad tracks and the "Ocean Dock". The company's products included all white flours, whole wheat, pancake and cake flours, cereals and mixed feed. Sperry's cereals were sent to Portland for packaging. The flour operations at the mill ceased in 1965, and the last of the mill buildings was demolished in the late 1980s. (Special order for special edition, Tacoma Times, George Beckingham)

Railroad freight cars--Tacoma; Shipping--Tacoma; Railroad companies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Southern Pacific Lines (Tacoma); General Mills, Inc., Sperry Division (Tacoma);

Special order for special edition, Studio, by Tacoma Times, George Beckingham. Two men are reviewing the quality of the ground material being loaded onto a railroad freight car at the General Mills-Sperry plant. The mill produced all white flours, whole wheat, pancake and cake flours, cereals and mixed feed.

Railroad freight cars--Tacoma; Shipping--Tacoma; Railroad companies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Southern Pacific Lines (Tacoma); General Mills, Inc., Sperry Division (Tacoma);

Northern Pacific started a gradual change from steam to diesel power in 1938, they had their first freight diesel electric locomotive in operation and on the road in 1944 and passenger diesels have been added since 1947. Throughout the years Northern Pacific has expanded in Tacoma and in the United States. Exterior view of Northern Pacific Railway's new freight station and office building.

Railroad companies--Tacoma; Railroad stations--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shipping--Tacoma; Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma);

In June 1946 Northern Pacific Railway decided to expand their freight depot and add modern offices to this location. The building remodeling is an important improvement for the railroad company, it will give Northern Pacific Railway modern facilities and an important West Coast terminal. Exterior view of the recently finished freight station and offices, located on Puyallup Avenue.

Railroad companies--Tacoma; Railroad stations--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shipping--Tacoma; Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma);

Northern Pacific Railway's new freight station and office building was constructed using brick building materials. The building provided modern office space and efficient freight handling facilities. The office portion is 70 feet by 57 feet, and the freight station is 55 feet by 250 feet. The new facilities include parking space and pavement along Puyallup Avenue, this will be used exclusively by the freight station.

Railroad companies--Tacoma; Railroad stations--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shipping--Tacoma; Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma);

Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen auxiliary group held their regular meeting, after the regular business was discusses they were joined by the Brotherhood members for a social hour and refreshments. The social hour was hosted by Mrs. James Murphy and Gladys Miller, of the Milwaukee division No. 317 G.I.A. The meeting was held at the International Order of Odd Fellows Hall (T.N.T., 6/20/48, p. D-4).

Railroad employees; Railroad employees' unions--Tacoma; Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen No. 403 (Tacoma); Odd Fellows Hall (Tacoma);

Dressed as a train engineer, wearing hat, jacket and gloves, Leon Titus, the president of Titus Motor Co. fulfilled a longtime dream on May 7, 1948. Mr. Titus was given special permission to ride in the cab of Union Pacific locomotive # 3981. The huge 122-foot long engine was the largest in the pacific northwest, and was used on the Seattle-Tacoma-Portland run. He was allowed to ride to Seattle and back in the cab. (T.N.T., 5/9/48, p. A-13). TPL-9867

Railroad locomotives--Tacoma; Railroads--Tacoma; Businessmen--Tacoma; Railroad companies--Tacoma; Union Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Titus, Leon E.;

Leon Titus was allowed to ride in the cab of a 122 foot long locomotive, this train makes the Seattle--Tacoma--Portland run daily. Leon would get to ride to Seattle and back to Tacoma. Mr. Titus has been a longtime enthusiast about railroading. View of Leon Titus dressed in his train-wear, he is standing with the Union Pacific train conductor (T.N.T., 5/9/48, p. A-13). TPL-9868

Railroad locomotives--Tacoma; Railroads--Tacoma; Businessmen--Tacoma; Railroad companies--Tacoma; Union Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Titus, Leon E.;

Engine #E-4 pulls into the Milwaukee Road's depot on April 21, 1954. A "Danger 3000 volts" warning sign alerts people to the fact that this is an electric locomotive. The train stopped very close to the new passenger depot. It was much smaller than the original depot on East 25th St. and built on the tide flats parallel to the railroad's freight yards. The old depot was finally torn down in 1972, leaving only freight sheds; the site is now the bustling Freighthouse Square. (History of Pierce County, p. 22)

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad companies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad locomotives--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad stations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Passengers waiting to board the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad's trains could relax comfortably in the Milwaukee Road's new passenger depot at E. 11th and Milwaukee Way. In a photograph taken in April, 1954, there were many chairs available in a spacious, air conditioned room with plate glass windows to view incoming and departing traffic. A multi-window ticket office provided efficient service with gold-tone photo murals located above. The railroad had an open house for the public to tour the new $150,000 depot, hundreds apparently did so. (TNT 4-18-54, p. 1, TNT 4-22-54, B-4, TNT 4-24-54, p. 36)

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A photograph taken at night on April 21, 1954, of the new Milwaukee Road passenger depot indicates the building was rectangular, with a two-layer flat roof, and surrounded by tinted plate glass windows. Waiting passengers could easily see the trains yet they were comfortably protected from the often inhospitable elements. The railroad's name, The Milwaukee Road, is illuminated on the exterior tower. The more convenient $150,000 passenger train depot on E. 11th and Milwaukee Way replaced an older model; it was made of Roman brick. (TNT 4-18-54, p. 1)

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Opened in April of 1954, the new $150,000 passenger depot at the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Company's tideflats location was a long, sleek, Roman brick structure. Passengers could wait in comfort on "lounge-type" aluminum furniture, a far cry from hard wooden benches, and remain dry behind wall-to-wall tinted plate glass windows until their trains arrived. The new depot replaced the old gray wood building at South 25th & A Streets. Many passengers may have been waiting for Milwaukee Road's popular Hiawatha service that ran from Tacoma to Chicago. This diesel-electric locomotive cut the time spent in traveling by several hours and passengers were able to enjoy a very scenic route. Unfortunately, after fifty years of service, the Hiawatha made its final run in May, 1961; it was the first of our country's long-haul passenger trains to quit. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 3, p. 22; TNT 4-18-54, p. 1+)

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad locomotives--Tacoma--1950-1960;