| © 2010 Stephen Thompson All rights reserved. |
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Moclips was the westernmost point on the Northern Pacific Railway. I spent a
week riding with my father, I think I was about 11, probably in 1962. The great
memories have prompted me to share the photos and memories I've got.
For more information about Moclips, visit the Museum of the North Beach
week riding with my father, I think I was about 11, probably in 1962. The great
memories have prompted me to share the photos and memories I've got.
For more information about Moclips, visit the Museum of the North Beach
Click on Thumbnails for
a larger images!
a larger images!
Here's Moclips, looking north, a shot I took in 1969. There was still some
activity on the line at this time. The small shake operation in the center of the
wye was good for a couple cars a week, and the large mill to the west, at the end
of the wye put out a lot more. The crew would arrive here about 6 AM, spot
empties at the mill, then back down the mainline along the ocean 1/2 a mile or so
and catch a couple hours of sleep. One of the days I rode with them, the timing
coincided with a good clam tide, so we all trooped down to the beach and dug
razor clams. It was interesting cleaning clams on the slow moving caboose on
the way back to Hoquiam!
Image is available as a postcard
activity on the line at this time. The small shake operation in the center of the
wye was good for a couple cars a week, and the large mill to the west, at the end
of the wye put out a lot more. The crew would arrive here about 6 AM, spot
empties at the mill, then back down the mainline along the ocean 1/2 a mile or so
and catch a couple hours of sleep. One of the days I rode with them, the timing
coincided with a good clam tide, so we all trooped down to the beach and dug
razor clams. It was interesting cleaning clams on the slow moving caboose on
the way back to Hoquiam!
Image is available as a postcard
This is an Ellis aerial view from a postcard. If you are interested in moclips, take
the time to look at the full size image, 1600 px wide. You can even see the
railroad bridge over the Moclips river that was part of Rayonier's operation.
the time to look at the full size image, 1600 px wide. You can even see the
railroad bridge over the Moclips river that was part of Rayonier's operation.
Looking north, just entering town, this is the switch that leads to the Smith Mill,
on the tail track of the wye. The hill and trees at the end of the tracks are across
the Moclips River, on the Tahola Indian Reservation.
Image is available as a mouse pad.
on the tail track of the wye. The hill and trees at the end of the tracks are across
the Moclips River, on the Tahola Indian Reservation.
Image is available as a mouse pad.
The view south, from near the north end of town. This is the track that was
used to interchange with Rayonier, back when they still had a line into Moclips
and the log pond. The small yard is on the right side of the "main line". The
above picture was taken where the tracks go into the trees at the far end of
town.
used to interchange with Rayonier, back when they still had a line into Moclips
and the log pond. The small yard is on the right side of the "main line". The
above picture was taken where the tracks go into the trees at the far end of
town.
The loading shed of the Smith mill can be seen in the background. I sure
remember the smell of fresh cut cedar shakes and shingles, along with the whine
of the saws. It was steam operated to the end, all with wide belts going every
which way. A fascinating, but mighty dangerous place, it met the same fate as
most wooden structure sawmills, it burned about 1970.
remember the smell of fresh cut cedar shakes and shingles, along with the whine
of the saws. It was steam operated to the end, all with wide belts going every
which way. A fascinating, but mighty dangerous place, it met the same fate as
most wooden structure sawmills, it burned about 1970.
Looking south across the log pond, from the old railroad log dump, at this time
used by trucks. Workers still herded the logs, walking them and pushing them
into place with long poles! I should have taken more photos....at least I did get
some!
used by trucks. Workers still herded the logs, walking them and pushing them
into place with long poles! I should have taken more photos....at least I did get
some!
The log chute that carried the fresh timber into the mill, with the slash burner in
the background.
the background.
The mill pond dam and spillway dump their water back into the Moclips river,
which flows under the pile trestle. Just out of the picture to the right was a very
funky pony truss bridge.
which flows under the pile trestle. Just out of the picture to the right was a very
funky pony truss bridge.
There was a trestle with planks along the side of the rail, Tthis connected to
Polson logging at one time. My memory is of going out across it in Dad's pickup
truck to get a load of shingles for our home's roof. It was very narrow, and we
met a mill worker, walking home for lunch, right in the middle. It was so
narrow, he had to climb over the cab of the truck!
Polson logging at one time. My memory is of going out across it in Dad's pickup
truck to get a load of shingles for our home's roof. It was very narrow, and we
met a mill worker, walking home for lunch, right in the middle. It was so
narrow, he had to climb over the cab of the truck!
Retired Northern Pacific conductor Frank Thompson talks about the Moclips and Markham Local jobs in the
1940's and 50's. Recorded for me on an inexpensive cassette deck in the late 80's, the quality isn't great, but
interesting stuff if you like trains! The "P's" pop bad, and this is cut out of a longer tape, so the start is a bit
off!
1940's and 50's. Recorded for me on an inexpensive cassette deck in the late 80's, the quality isn't great, but
interesting stuff if you like trains! The "P's" pop bad, and this is cut out of a longer tape, so the start is a bit
off!
Two views of a small shake mill in Moclips about 1975 Photos by Stephen
Thompson
Thompson
Dad, Jack Anderson and I went to Moclips in early June, 1968, to explore and
take pictures of town and the tracks. This one is from the north wye switch,
and includes the small shingle/shake operation in the center of the wye, where a
box car is being loaded.
take pictures of town and the tracks. This one is from the north wye switch,
and includes the small shingle/shake operation in the center of the wye, where a
box car is being loaded.
Moclips NP Track Maintenance Shed Shed in original NP "Indian Red" colors,
pre sand and brown.
pre sand and brown.
Another Ellis aerial view, this one looking NW, showing the school in the
forground and a different perspective on many structures and the Smith Mill.
This one is 2000 pixels wide and shows lots of neat details.
forground and a different perspective on many structures and the Smith Mill.
This one is 2000 pixels wide and shows lots of neat details.