One of the things I love about photography is the ability to capture historical heritage. The rapidly receding history of our shared civilization springs to life through my lens as I photograph old buildings, rusty machinery, and historical landmarks. For me, it's about the history, and capturing the stories of these places -- before they fade away.
The Seattle and North Coast Railroad (SNCT) was a short-line railroad that operated on the northern part of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State from Port Angeles to Port Townsend. The line was unique in that it was a "rail island" with no outside rail connection to a mainline railroad. Instead, rail equipment was brought in via barges that traveled between Port Townsend and Seattle.
Railroad Bridge
At one time there were actually 3 different Companies (the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, Port Townsend and Western, and the Port Angeles and Western) controlling the lines which ran from west of Sekiu, Washington. and west of Lake Crescent east to Port Townsend with a spur that went south toward the Hood Canal. The consolidated Peninsula Line was part of the Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific RR (MILW), which at one time was the longest electrified railroad in the world (the Peninsula portion was not electrified). A long bankruptcy and abandonment process for the Milwaukee created service and maintenance issue throughout the system. Seattle-based private entrepreneurs purchased this section of railroad from the Milwaukee's bankruptcy court.
Railroad Bridge. Sequim / A composite Photo
As the new carrier started, an extended period of weak markets for the pulp, paper, plywood and lumber markets, produced on the Peninsula, seriously weakened the enterprise. New efforts to improve the rail freight loadings were met with stiff competition from a barge-to-rail service (Puget Sound Freight Lines) and Piggyback services to the main-line rail carriers (Union Pacific and Burlington Northern) proved overwhelming to the highly leveraged new company. Steadily increasing maintenance costs, after years of neglect by the prior operator, finally caused a complete service shutdown followed by abandonment in 1984. The rails, ties and equipment were removed in 1987. Many adjoining property owners and public land holding agencies sought a legal end to the right-of-ways on the majority of the Line.
Johnson Creek Trestle / A composite Photo
Johnson Creek Trestle
Built 1914 by the Seattle, Port Angeles and Western Railway Company, later owned by Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (The Milwaukee Road), abandoned in 1985 and converted to a bike trail. Total length: 410.0 ft.
Adding costumed characters to my shoots not only enhances the photographic cohesiveness, but also allows my models a taste of yesterday. The main concept is to portray and enjoy these special locations, costumes and stories while sweeping the viewer down the road to the past.
Johnson Creek Trestle / Untold Stories from the Past
Johnson Creek Trestle / Untold Stories from the Past
Johnson Creek Trestle / Untold Stories from the Past
For me, it's about the history, and capturing the stories of these places -- before they fade away.
Today significant sections of the abandoned railroad between Port Townsend and Port Angeles has been dedicated as a rails-to-trails route known as the Olympic Discovery Trail.
Web Resources: Wikipedia / Seattle and North Coast Railroad. History Link.Org / The Railroads of Jefferson and Clallam Counties