If you Google

Iron Goat Trail you will find more information than you can imagine.  If you want to model modern times, I don't understand your desire for switchbacks.  I would also contact the Great Northern Historical Society because they would have all the answers for you also.  I have hiked the entire distance before the parks department went in and made it a historical place with all the amenities. There are two geological survey maps from the U.S. Department Of The Interior that show the entire route, both old and new.  They primary map is named SCENIC QUADRANGLE WASHINGTON and the adjoining map which shows the tunnel and the east portal is named LABYRINTH  MTN. WASHINGTON.  Copies of these will be a great help in designing your layout, I think.  Any of the Great Northern books will have nice color pictures to show you what locomotives and rolling stock will work for you.  Best wishes with your future endeavor.

Leonz,

You're going to model the line to the 1909 Cascade Tunnel that was abandoned in 1929 in favor of the big tunnel that's still in use (the clue is including Wellington, which was up at the west portal of the old tunnel)? If you want to stay reasonably accurate to the prototype, you wouldn't have any actual switchbacks, as the first tunnel was built to eliminate those (no requirement for that, of course - if you want both, go for it!).

Do you mean you want to model the very twisty line up to the old Cascade Tunnel (not really switchbacks, as the train never has to reverse to continue the climb)?

There is a huge amount of data available on this line, and some of scenery is breathtaking! You might want to see if you can get a copy of Lines West by Charles Wood. That book, and another he wrote (I think called simply "The Great Northern Railway") have an abundance of photos and data on this line. As Michael Whiteman said, the Great Northern Railway Historical Society is a great resource, too.

I explored this line back in the late 1980's / early 1990's before the Iron Goat Trail was even started. With the Trail in place now, you can walk nearly the entire line from the "new" tunnel.

Let us know what you come up with - I for one would love to see how you approach modeling this area!

1893-1900 and Reading Materials

Leonz,

It is definitely an interesting line to look at, although I don't know why you would want to model modern day over the old line? Had you considered pre-1900? For 7 years on the line prior to the first tunnel in 1900, there were multiple switchbacks to the actual top of the pass. This offers lots of operation, short trains, steep grades, double headers, snowsheds, and trestles. It was also the biggest obstacle on the railway prior to electrification and the tunnels. In my opinion, the photos and history of this time are vastly more interesting than post 1929 in this area. Plus, you could do HO in about the same amount of space. Regardless, read up before you get too deep.

Become a member of the Great Northern Railway Historical Society and get access to a wealth of resources on this subject.

https://www.gnrhs.org/tag/membership/

Check out their archives.

http://www.gn-npjointarchive.org/_layouts/15/start.aspx#/default.aspx

Read this excellent story on the line and the greatest avalanche disaster in US history.

The White Cascade

  By Gary Krist

https://www.amazon.com/White-Cascade-Northern-Deadliest-Avalanche/dp/0805083294

Enjoy!

-Sean Murphy

Body Mount couplers

Hi Leonz,

It sounds like wonderful project.

I'd recommend using body mounted couplers to make the cars easier to push uphill.

An 1893 Stevens Pass

An 1893 Stevens Pass w/switchbacks-type layout sounds VERY INTERESTING!

Andre