The empty log cars are being returned to the woods for the next load.   The Cowlitz, Chehalis & Cascade train is crossing the Cowlitz River near Mayfield (Washington State) on May 5, 1955.   Because the trestle had been condemned, the train crew was prohibited from being on the engine as it crossed the river.

This required another locomotive on the rear of the train to push it across.  The crew from this engine has already safely walked across.   The pusher will stop the consist when the front engine has safely crossed.   It was never made clear whether the pusher was then pulled across crewless, or disconnected and returned to home base.   Notice the flip-top screened cinder catcher on the stack.

The backpool from Mayfield Dam, just downstream, flooded this picturesque canyon a few years later.    The river’s origin is the Cowlitz Glacier in Mount Rainier National Park, and enters the Columbia River at Kelso.   

 This unusual bridge is built upon a sturdy platform wedged against the side-walls of the canyon.  Not certain there ever was another like it.   Just this week Vancouver Island’s Western Forest Products Corp., announced their last logging railroad in North America is closed for good.    The next to last was Simpson’s Shelton (WA) operation.  Submitted by Gary Ostlund.