Washington, Idaho and Montana Railway facts for kids
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The Washington, Idaho and Montana Railway (often called WI&M) was a special kind of railroad. It was a "short-line" railway, meaning it covered a shorter distance compared to bigger train lines. This railway used steam engines and had a single track. It connected the towns of Bovill, Idaho and Palouse, Washington.
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Building the Railway
Work on the WI&M railway started in May 1905. It was built by the Potlatch Lumber Company. The main reason for building it was to transport logs from forests to their lumber mill. But the railway also carried other important things. It moved different kinds of goods, took passengers from one place to another, and even delivered mail.
Fast Progress
The builders worked very quickly. By the end of 1905, they had already laid 20 miles of track. This was a lot of progress in just a few months! By the end of the next year, 1906, the tracks had reached all the way to Bovill.
Plans for Expansion
The original plan was for the railway to go even further, reaching into the state of Montana. However, these plans were eventually stopped. There were two main reasons why the railway didn't extend into Montana.
Forest Fire Impact
One big reason was a large forest fire in 1910. This fire happened along the North Fork of the Clearwater River. It destroyed many valuable trees that the lumber company planned to use. This loss of timber made the expansion less necessary.
Railway Agreement
The second reason was an agreement with another large railway company. This was the Chicago, Milwaukee & Puget Sound railway. This company already had tracks that went into Montana. The two companies agreed to share tracks at Bovill. They also decided how to divide the money earned from carrying goods and passengers. This agreement meant the WI&M didn't need to build its own tracks into Montana.
A Piece of History
Today, you can still see a part of this historic railway. Engine 1, which was one of the original train engines, is preserved. You can also find an old railroad station. Both are located in the Commercial Historic District in Potlatch, Idaho. This area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site that is protected.
