My favourite American short-line railroad - featuring the sights and sounds of the Northwest and the rumble of old-fashioned EMDs - the Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad, Oregon. The History Originally founded to take over switching duties at the Tillamook Naval Air Station in 1952, the POTB really came into its own in 1986 when the company loaned the 94-mile Tillamook branch from the Southern Pacific which extended the line all the way to Banks, Oregon. The POTB primarily transported timber and agricultural products from the coast to Portland. At times the railroad would also run passenger excursions on the line. The POTB continued operating until the majority of its right-of-way was destroyed in a major storm in 2008. The Route The POTB stretched for 101 miles between the towns of Tillamook, OR and Banks, OR. The line itself is fairly winding and steep, weaving its way across the Salmonberry river and long stretches of Oregon wilderness. There's a depot at the Banks terminus, 14 stations that dot the line (Banks included), and an engine shed at the former Naval-Air base at the other end. The route would ideally be set between 1995 and 2000 while the POTB was in its heyday. This time period would also allow for the greatest variety of locomotives and liveries. Motive Power The POTB's motive power fleet consisted primarily of older diesels from the Southern Pacific and Burlington Northern railroads. EX-BN SD9s (6113-6196) - Cascade Green EX-SP SD9Es (4368-4432) - SP Bloody Nose & POTB Black w/ White Stripes GP9 (101) - POTB Cow Print Closing Remarks The POTB is a unique line, employing old locomotives in mainline use many years after other railroads had sequestered them to switching duties or the cutter's torch. There's plenty of challenge in navigating the steep and winding line with such old units, but at the same time you get to watch the wilderness of Oregon pass by as you do.
This sounds like a cool shortline with some locos that I would like to see in game. The SD9s would be awesome. The scenery is great, too. By the way, the POTB also has a couple of GE 80-Ton Switchers which would be great for lighter switching duties.
I was debating whether to include them in the list or not given they had both left service by 1994/95. 111 was on display in Roy, a few miles further along the line from Banks until 1998, so that could work as a potential mastery reward. Then again - a lot of the locos like the SD9Es and the GP9 were repainted around 1994 so there's a bit of time where both of the GEs might have still been in service
