Latest News and Photos
Update: Brad Milne, a WS fan who is in the process of rebuilding the WS is able to take his gas engine out on the original WS mainline 1.7 miles out of the mill.
First Fan Trip in Years!!!
Brad Milne, Left, points out where the track ends and is paved over about 2 miles out of the mill site.
Photo by: Mike Azzarello
Here is whats going on at and around the mill site.
A few WS Supporters have formed a musuem to save the historic site. They have purchased 2-
5ton gas switchers, a 12 ton diesel, and 3 steam locomotives to operate there, under 7
miles of 3' track, from the mill to river bridge, where they will use the turntable that
is still intact.
The engine house, car shops and other buildings have electricity, water and a phone line.
The mill will not be rebuilt. Instead a golf course and homes is being built over the
land. However the mill pond, wood burner and the dam itself will remain as they are now
historic sites, which were built back in 1897. Also some other old buildings will stay
with some track.
Track that had been layed around the mill site by Glen Bell for a tourist operation has
been pulled up. The yard tracks are know in the process of being pulled up also. And then
the "Y" trackage will also be taken up. This track will be used to fill in a
number of missing sections between the mill and river bridge. There are also several steam
donkeys left on the mill site. All in which have been vadalised in some way. One has
bullet holes shot in the boiler, which makes it useless, and others have parts stolen from
them. Most of the buildings that Glen Bell had built have been taken down.
West Side
Today
Today there's still quite a bit of remains on the West Side. Tracks still remain
pretty much in tact from the mill to River Bridge (except for a spot after Flume) for
about 7 miles. In some spots the ground has been washed out from under the tracks which
has left the rail hanging. While driving down the canyon and with the tracks above you,
you'll see the parts of the line hanging over the edge.
Some of the old main line has been turned into trails and service roads. Rails to Trails
hopes to turn all 45 miles of the main line into a hiking trail. There is also some
remains left at Niagra Camp and near camp Reynolds.
There are still several bents of Niagra Bridge that still remain.
The only Bridge which really remains, besides Niagra, is Bourland Bridge.
If you have an interest in preserving what is left of the West Side please contact me at AAzz44M@aol.com.
Photo by Brad Milne.
Background: original WS tank car used for fuel for shays.
Left Front: 1905 steam driven air compressor. On Right: 2 cyl. steam pump from original saw mill. Right Rear:1957, 5 ton gas loco.
Photo from Brad Milne
1957 Rodgers 5 ton 3' gauge locomotive at WESTSIDE R.R. May 1998. 1929, 10' flat car, Pressed Steel Car Co.
Clearing Snow on the WestSide Jan. 99.
1.7 Miles out from the mill site.
Photo By: Brad Milne
Recent Photos of inside the Mill Site
This is the Engine House built by Glen Bell, when he ran the WestSide as a tourist operation.
Photo by Michael Azzarello
Two Steam Donkeys on top of a hill over looking the mill property with the original wood burner in the background.
Photo by Michael Azzarello
Looking across the mill pond to the mill dump. The actual mill would me to the right where there is now an island. Also located in the mill pond is the original Hoist House, which is now just a platform with the Hoist on it.
Photo by Michael Azzarello
Original West Side tank car.
Photo by Michael Azzarello
A water tank built by Glenn Bell to replinsh the shays he used to haul passengers around the mill site.
Photo by Michael Azzarello
What is left of the yard where the log cars were stored. The site has been covered over with trees. The track has also been pulled up and salvaged for use on the main line. On the bottom is a flat car being used for the removal of the track.
Photo by Michael Azzarello
The engine house or sometimes called roundhouse located on the right, with the car shop on the left. In front of the engine shop is a WS tank car and a box car which came from a Mexico NG RR. The track which curves to the left heads out to the woods.
Photo by Michael Azzarello
Photo of the once H.H & YV RR dispatcher office. The wharehouse which was to the right of the building has been torn down.
The engine house built by Glenn Bell is just behind the dipatcher office.
If you looking for any particular photos you would like to see or have any questions about the mill site you can email me.
Send mail to AAzz44M@aol.com or WSLC8@yahoo.com with questions or comments about this
web site.
Copyright © 1998 Michael Azzarello
Last modified: March 14, 1999