At the time no one probably would have guessed that it would ever come back, let alone be the focus of a campaign to cosmetically restore it and display it at Cle Elum. Who knew then that it would be one of the few survivors and someday be tasked with introducing future generations to the fascinating, bittersweet history of the Milwaukee Road? Yet there it sits today in Usk, WA, on the former Milwaukee Road branch to Metaline Falls, thanks to the efforts of many railfans, former Milwaukee Road employees, and other friends.
It has come far, but still has a long way to go before it finally returns to Cle Elum. Together, the Friends of the 5057 will eventually bring it home.
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| The Burlington Northern dispatcher at Maple Valley, WA documented the last trip of the 5057 between Black River, WA and Maple Valley, WA on March 13, 1980. |
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| The train with the 5057 finally arrived in Cle Elum on March 14, 1980 after taking 12 hours to make the 55-mile trip from Cedar Falls. |
That Extra East had to double the hill to Hyak. I'm assuming the relief crew got them at Cedar Falls,for Gene Lawson brought the train into Cle Elum on the afternoon of the 14th, to be relieved a second time. Interesting to see the rotary used the evening of the 13th with the 285/273--these two led the last daylight eastbound out of Tacoma on the 15th.
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