The Substations
The western half of the Milwaukee Road mainline between Chicago and Seattle crossed over 5 mountain ranges. These were the Belt, Rocky, Bitterroot, Saddle and Cascade Mountains. The decision was made to electrify the Rocky Mountain and Coast Divisions, powered by 28 substations. The first 14 substations were located along the 440 mile section linking Harlowton, MT, with Avery, ID.
On the Coast Division, 216 miles were electrified from Othello to Tacoma, including 8 stations. The Avery to Othello section was never completed, and substations #15 through #20 were not built.
Even though the power was turned off over 30 years ago, seven of these substations are still standing.
Substation 1, Two Dot, MT, removed
Substation 2, Loweth, MT, still standing, Photo
Substation 3, Francis, MT, removed
Substation 4, Eustis, MT, removed, Photo
Substation 5, Piedmont, MT, removed
Substation 6, Janney, MT, removed
Substation 7, Morel, MT, removed
Substation 8, Gold Creek, MT, still standing, Photos
Substation 9, Ravenna, MT, still standing, Photo
Substation 10, Primrose, MT, still standing, Photo
Substation 11, Tarkio, MT, removed
Substation 12, Drexel, MT, removed
Substation 13, East Portal, MT, Photos
Substation 14, Avery, ID, removed, Photos
Substation 15, St. Joe, ID, never built
Substation 16, Plummer, ID, never built
Substation 17, Rosalia, WA, never built
Substation 18, Castleton, WA, never built
Substation 19, Ralston, WA, never built
Substation 20, Roxboro, WA, never built
Substation 21, Taunton, WA, still standing, Photo
Substation 22, Doris, WA, removed
Substation 23, Kittitas, WA, removed, Photos
Substation 24, Cle Elum, WA, still standing, Photos
Substation 25, Hyak, WA, removed
Substation 26, Cedar Falls, WA, removed, Photo
Substation 27, Renton, WA, still standing, Photo
Substation 28, Tacoma Jct, WA, removed
