At the crossing with a logging road known as Smith Lane, the grade levels off and the lead engine notches down after the 2.2% ascent of the Sand Cut. Two pushers are on the rear, but one will cut... (more)

Mill 5 bound, the 1201 is blasting up the hill above Goldsborough Creek near the Carman road. Many of the logs were barnacle-coated from being in the seawater for a while.

Nearly at the end of a run up the hill with a train of logs for the sort yard and Mill 5. MT Rainier is in the picture today, too.

It's only July but the residents of this trackside home already have their Christmas lights hanging in preparation for the holiday season. Meanwhile a Simpson Timber Railroad work train makes a f... (more)

Near the end of a run from town, as the train tops the grade with A-frames in front of the waterwood, Nick and Brandon are probably discussing how they'll efficiently make their cuts at Mill 5 and... (more)

The log trains run by the tide schedule, which affects when they can load wood out of the bay. So when the the railroad makes a run up the hill later in the afternoon you will see them tack on th... (more)

With its bell clanging, the 1201 approaches a private crossing east bound at Carman Road, passing by apple blossoms in someone's backyard along the tracks.

Grunting and grinding, the 1201 attains the top of "Sand Cut". On a 2.2% grade along a half mile stretch, this is where the challenge occurs on a daily basis. Pop can trees are rarely seen in thes... (more)

Dave Buben rolls the 1200 onto the bridge deck with a train of empties in tow, returning them from Mill 5 to the waterfront for tomorrow's log haul.

The 1201 returns to town with a string of empties from the Dry Sort. There is plenty of waterwood to keep them busy lately and a shortage of centerbeams is actually limiting outbound product from... (more)

"Earth Day at Oakland Bay" proclaims the banner and the Simpson crew is on the logger outbound from Shelton to Mill 5.

Dave Buben guides the 1200 through plant trackage while the 1202 waits for a helper assignment on the mid day log train to Mill 5.

At mile post 2 the morning job returning with empties and 13 loads of lumber. I get a "like" from Brandon! This morning was tricky, with sun trying to break through the fog. A big fir appears t... (more)

Just east of bridge 3 over Goldsborough Creek the 1200 returns downgrade light to get busy with switching in Shelton after earlier hauling logs up to Mill 5

Oops! Last Thursday the new guy misjudged distance which resulted in this bunker dangling off the end of the dock. It was still in this position Tuesday, but they had removed the load. Now they h... (more)