Meeting at Gilchrist Junction
A Union Pacific manifest streaks past as the Klamath Northern freight arrives at Gilchrist Junction. The KNOR will soon interchange their lumber loads here, leaving five center beams for the K-Falls based local.
The two trains are a study in opposites: the KNOR rolls along jointed 62-pound rail, the UP utilizes welded 132-pound rail. The KNRR uses only one locomotive, a tiny unique GE SL-125 centercab, while the UP train rolls past behind four GEVOs.
This was the last freight on the Klamath Northern Railway Company, it’s owner Interfor shut down the line after this train. Now, the shortline lays dormant, awaiting resurrection for future lumber traffic. Thanks to the friendly crew, I was lucky to catch this last freight. The June gloom could not dampen my spirits as this UP freight rounded the bend as I photographed the KNOR interchange, turning a shortline shot into something more.
