I pulled out my ICC valuation maps of the branch which are dated June 19, 1919, and corrected to December 31, 1927. The "S" curves in mention, which are just north of Tacoma (MP 472.28), and south of the former Aw Wilderness guest ranch (MP 474), do not show on these maps. There is very little curvature till MP 473.
Many areas of the Silverton Branch have been relocated over the years, typically following a severe flood. The most obvious today is just south of Elk Park, where we have our "twin bridges" (MP 489.9). After the 1964 (?) flood, the bridge abuntments were compromised, and the Rio Grande built a new bridge crossing the river right next to it. The old bridge is still there. The new grade reconnected with the original grade at a place now known as Minco (490.1). There is a small spur here on the west side of the tracks, that is whats left of the original track heading to the old bridge.
Needleton siding was relocated from its original location at MP 482.3 to its current at MP 484 following, I believe, after the 1911 flood. That entire section of track was moved away from the river up closer to the hillside. I've heard there's still some ties in the ground at Old Needleton, but I've never explored the area myself. Just down the river, and above the Government Bridge, or Broken Bridge (MP 481.5), there is a section of rail attached to a switch frog laying on the river bank, sometimes in the river depending on water levels. One can guess this was washed away from Old Needleton, but who knows.
Also in this same section, on a year I can't remember off the top of my head, the Hunt Slide (MP 482.5) ran, covering the tracks. This is a pretty open area of the canyon, so the Rio Grande simply relaid tracks around the slide.
-Jon
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/24/2010 11:41AM by Jon Walden.
