![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlXNYZr1jgDyFDg3lkXvdwgZtXd6XIqeccChCR7ptNAt7iQ_u7xapl3eNl-AtPdr7F1tbVeuNfjeLxf_hsPcOIv-gpLwWNuq03Fdn8hd-HOb4QhcoydRD3C61Dsf9JgJyfeuI/s640/IMG_20150822_084939.jpg) |
Temco LLC in Kalama |
As I was driving north from Portland to Olympia (more on that
in another post), I noticed a green signal on the BNSF mainline that
runs next to I-5. I pulled off the freeway at Robb Road in Kalama, and
without realizing it, stopped at the place that was the starting point
of the Northern Pacific railroad into Washington State: The Port of
Kalama on the Columbia River, which is still quite busy today.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2r26kqRd00CKmFTlVguJXgIgO7IQ8WVLm_jt6b3NpVIDzXM3X9mjXM98ILsXOvtDxLwbJgYdYgusUxpojqb3BzDvRLWH1XjLezuA2DhHl53tgSloEcB7xeDoh8aSTqTD3IM3j/s640/IMG_20150822_090103.jpg) |
Amtrak Cascades going-away shot |
The reason for the Green signal was a Portland - Seattle Amtrak Cascades train.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMVGBZqcAs9QLDfASZnqLJOKdj21dB4_4R7eCl-dxRE1avNRXao5E6UG1yYryBt8aApp2nCKyFmgP1Ap_M-8wnPHGnwM4GzNMBvSETruqYhj0RYPZAvPpltbVVEzFW9_u1GML/s640/IMG_20150822_085850.jpg) |
Temco yard tracks |
All the tracks into the Temco facility are littered with Men at work signs. And by the way, who says you can't put track number signs on your tracks?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Lv6GxI2G5IpyISL65fU4OyCYCxdyNVejeAnXl1WKfIB3jBc9WzEDCWL2Vna2BvoeOL8Pi4vubxfFSBr_0j3my-_2XQ0tgxydZr3eFa-ZKedlNJxtFQchRXebgFuhyQht0-j3/s640/IMG_20150822_090440.jpg) |
Tank car at Emerald Kalama Chemical |
The port of Kalama is a maze of railroad tracks and very large industries.
A fun drive along North Hendrickson Rd, with regular stops, and taking photos for inspiration.
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The RSG sawmill has huge storage areas with lumber |
On the way back from Olympia I took some more photos when I pulled off the freeway again because I saw a green signal going south.
The Steelscape buildings at Kalama River Rd are surrounded by large steel coils.
Hey look, there's the reason for the green signal, a UP train trundling by.
There are large signs on the north end of N. Henrickson Rd stating that it's "not a through road, because the railroad crossings might be blocked". That served as an invitation for me to take a look whether the crossings were blocked. Indeed they were.
And while I was still amused by the blocked railroad crossing, the
Amtrak Coast Starlight to Seattle comes by.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEX7Di95Jsrq-ErOsXRPHrNNrDcfBmSZXK5Vf_0SNfMO-io8y8j5BTOXmZye7dquzT0kLCw0K2MtIcPd82MPbYgVATrP64o2-LYVV5ejBIemsieynC6e4kMG_FAtvewBn2Qyp_/s640/IMG_20150822_181153.jpg) |
Northbound Coast Starlight |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCSaaSAdLPtFUDo2POSSuVs1_78dZK1b1_BxaYFYpBDcgeGc27nDz6LWDMg1xIF9HVWOCnb7Pnv0B6y91t2wwBpkMz9LLVLLRd7vQE_QOmnWI5_PdQXOmO85cC8SF_VHxQfL8/s640/IMG_20150822_181439.jpg) |
UP and CP locomotives tied down for the weekend at Kalama Export |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuGazK5uaHae8jqUX2LqlPQJok0JCUxixhGydHQknw2v_njL3DTn2K_Ha_x8ru9MgMC34q-GS9_0VnoNZPLFUDYTersPdr6rJeQy8VKCS_KnZ2OMwqubEi__BPLsBbsDuOXBy/s640/IMG_20150822_181538.jpg) |
Fun Gondola load |
Due to the forest fires in Washington state, the air is thick with smoke.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5W_-BXtygnbjwxNlQ70h-bGd3bNwxCkLEGxYTMT6tBeCO0TQB0owjEZ65gM1YOFXD7Hju9LJZPnosbbKH6sARuQaWHcAIg0C42rmDwelr_LpWTB-KDeUIL049oK_HdnidahX/s640/IMG_20150822_181124.jpg) |
Locomotives at the balloon track at Kalama Export |
I turned around, got back on the freeway, and took the next exit south back into the industrial area.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbFsDkAAbgGkt5uNdTgsqGzeezZtvw0BeMdQTbPIXx9YMcbzWQwo-KzM5dkSuz42TUKcektCPSCULmvxmY0z_RNzKMMoyfOfjR1VJqgBNgXiqsgSW077A7CYn9SMB4Mnzxy4_/s640/IMG_20150822_182235.jpg) |
Grain cars on the balloon track at Kalama Export |
The blocked railroad crossings are at Kalama Export, which has a huge multi-track balloon
track arrangement. Grain cars go into the facility and there is a long track along N. Hendrickson Rd with lined up grain cars. I suspect they arrived loaded during the week, and are now empty, ready for pickup. I was surprised about the size of the facility and the sheer number of cars here. Very impressive.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJOqErYXew-xXzvtXQNHYc8cAYuPbIc1v9YWsueSTjDbRRDsQV6XZfjicnW7cMVcP_it4nByqUxyThoJKRXc8Vi5xBeIkU5wQtlQrep8YPIYbKNW9CuFcweTVIvfzj3su1wqp/s640/IMG_20150822_182311.jpg) |
Grain cars along N. Hendickson Rd |
1 comment:
Too bad most of my work is at night, as I drive for PTI taking crews to and from most of these spots..
Tom P. - KA0TP
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