A Brief HistoryThe Klamath Northern is a 10.6 mile long shortline running from Gilchrist, OR, 45 miles south of Bend, to a connection with the Union Pacific's former Southern Pacific mainline between Klamath Falls and Eugene. In 1938 the Gilchrist Timber Co. moved their logging operations from Mississippi to Gilchrist due to lack of timber and high taxes in Mississippi. The railroad was built in 1938 by the Gilchrist Timber Co. to connect their new mill with the Southern Pacific Railroad's mainline, and was incorporated as the Klamath Northern Railway in July 1940, a common carrier railroad. From 1965 to 1977, the Glaneville Box Company operated a mill along the railroad about two miles south of Gilchrist. For awhile, the Glaneville mill shipped out more traffic on the KN than the parent company did. In 1977 the Glaneville Box Company was purchased by Brooks-Scanlon, and the mill was closed and dismantled.
In 1991 the mill and railroad were purchased by lumber giant Crown Pacific Ltd.
The railroad is still in operation, though no longer listed as a common-carrier
railroad.
Locomotive Roster & PhotosGo to my Klamath Northern Locomotives page for a detailed roster, information, and photos of each locomotive.
Maps |
General location, from SP system map
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From ODOT online map
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Photos |
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![]() Gilchrist, OR July 20, 1982 John Bauer photo |
![]() Gilchrist, OR July 20, 1982 John Bauer photo |
![]() Gilchrist, OR July 20, 1982 John Bauer photo |
![]() nearing Gilchrist Jct., OR May 18, 1983 John Bauer photo |
![]() Gilchrist Jct., OR November 1990 Greg Brown photo |
![]() Gilchrist, OR July 21, 2003 John Bauer photo |
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The Klamath Northern built this very interesting snow plow from the tender of their Baldwin 2-6-2 #204, which was scrapped in 1955 after the delivery of GE 70-ton diesel #205. These three photos were taken in August, 1998. |
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Gilchrist Jct., where the Klamath Northern interchanges with the Southern Pacific (it's still the SP to me). These photos were taken in August, 1998. All views are facing north. |
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![]() KN veering off to right |
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Bibliography/Credits:
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This page was created on September 17, 2000 and last updated on April 22, 2004
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