Milwaukee Road tracks near Smyrna. Washington, undated. Eastbound on the line near Smyrna, Washington.

Milwaukee Road tracks near Smyrna. Washington, undated. Eastbound on the line near Smyrna, Washington.

Northern Pacific mainline at Stampede Pass, Washington Territory, in 1887. Summit of switchback at Lizard Lake in forested area. Photo by I.G. Davidson, J.M. Fredrickson collection.. Other Subject Classes: tracks, switchback, mountains

Northern Pacific mainline at Stampede Pass, Washington Territory, in 1887. Three levels of track at summit of switchback, frame section house. Photo by I.G. Davidson, J.M. Fredrickson collection.. Other Subject Classes: track, switchback, section house, mountains

Northern Pacific mainline at Tacoma, Washington, in May 1928. Joint facilities photo looking north on waterfront at mainline track, coal bunker, flour mill, warehouse. Photo by James Fisher, J.M. Fredrickson collection. Other Subject Classes: track, coal bunker, mill

Northern Pacific mainline at Tacoma, Washington, in May 1928. Joint facilities photo looking south on waterfront at mainline track, flour mill, boxcars awaiting loading. Photo by James Fisher, J.M. Fredrickson collection.. Other Subject Classes: track, mill, freight car

A Northern Pacific train makes its way up Stampede Pass as seen from Stampede, Washington, circa 1925. Mount Rainier is on the horizon. Photo by J.A. Turner. Other Subject Classes: mountain right-of-way, steam locomotive

Northern Pacific mountain right-of-way at Borup, Washington, circa 1925. A passenger train makes its way over Stampede Pass. Photo by J.A. Turner. Other Subject Classes: mountain right-of-way, steam locomotive

Northern Pacific mountain right-of-way at Borup, Washington, circa 1925. The view shows just how demanding the countryside around Stampede Pass was for railroad builders. Photo by J.A. Turner. Other Subject Classes: mountain right-of-way, landscape

Northern Pacific rail remaining in the alley between Railroad Avenue and State Street at Bellingham, Washington, on April 14, 2001. This track is in the 15th subdivision of the Tacoma division. Photo by GJ Werkema. Other subject classes: track