Post on 14-Dec-2018
NORTHERN TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD MOUNTAIN PASSES
Western Mountain Grade Profiles
Doug Welsh, Canadian Pacific Railway, retired
Copyright 2011 Kalmbach Publishing Co., magazine
The following grade profiles of the most northerly transconti-nental North American railroads were prepared for a day-long
presentation during the annual meeting of the Lexington Group in Transportation History, held in Calgary from September 29 to Oc-tober 2, 2010.
The original six railroads, in chronological sequence of last spikes, were Northern Pacific, Canadian Pacific, Great Northern, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific, Grand Trunk Pacific, and Canadian Northern. Their successors in modern-day operations are Montana Rail Link (operating most of the former Northern Pacific), Canadian Pacific, BNSF Railway (operating the former Great Northern and the Stampede Pass route of Northern Pacific), and Canadian National (operating the former Grand Trunk Pacific and Canadian Northern). There are no contemporary operations of the majority of the Milwaukee Road’s western lines.
Information for all six historic railroads was displayed in a uni-form format. Detailed profile data was collected from many sourc-es, some of it pertaining to routes abandoned more than 100 years ago. The profile data was entered into a spreadsheet program from which graphical representations could be prepared. These were passed to Trains Magazine which generously gave their time to pre-pare illustrator-quality profile charts.
Because most of the northern transcontinental railroads have ex-amples of 2.2 percent grades, the first set of profiles attempt to trace a historic link to the Baltimore and Ohio’s original route through the Allegheny Mountains (now part of CSX Transportation). This
too is supported by spreadsheet analysis and Trains Magazine charting. The connection between the Baltimore and Ohio and the northern transcontinental railroads was explored more fully in the September 2011 issue of Trains magazine, for which some of these grade profiles were reproduced.
Having the dozens of profiles in a common spreadsheet format facilitated comparisons. Both intra-railway and inter-railway mountain pass profile comparisons were included.
All 58 Trains Magazine-prepared charts utilized in the confer-ence are reproduced here.
The broad groupings are B&O background, NP, CP, GN, MILW, GTP/CNo, and inter-railway comparisons.
Finally, a few more observations about this fascinating exercise: Selection of endpoints for each grade is arbitrary. The general rule was where the gradient dropped consistently below 1%, but there are exceptions. This affects the values shown for Approximate Total Rise + Fall. Profile information for the following have not yet been located, and their charting is omitted or incomplete: NP Mullan Pass – temporary surface route; CP Rogers Pass – detailed profile data of the eastern and western approaches to the summit of the original surface route; MILW Pipestone and Snoqualmie passes – temporary surface routes.
In closing, your understanding is sought for the inevitable errors that creep into an analysis of this scope. Enjoy!
Doug Welsh, Canadian Pacific Railway, retired
Introduction
BALTIMORE AND OHIO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Seventeen Mile Grade (Allegheny Mountains) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Cranberry, Cheat River, and Newburg grades (Allegheny Mountains). . 5
NORTHERN PACIFIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Bozeman Pass (Belt Mountains) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Mullan Pass (Rocky Mountains) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Homestake Pass (Rocky Mountains) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Evaro Hill (Coriacan Defile) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Stampede Pass (Cascade Range) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Current mountain grades compared . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
CANADIAN PACIFIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Kicking Horse Pass (Rocky Mountains). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Rogers Pass (Selkirk Range). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Eagle Pass (Gold Range). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36Notch Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37Current mountain grades compared . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
GREAT NORTHERN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Marias Pass (Rocky Mountains) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Stevens Pass (Cascade Range) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41Current mountain grades compared . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE, ST . PAUL & PACIFIC . . . . . . . . . . .49
Loweth Pass (Belt Mountains). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50Pipestone Pass (Rocky Mountains). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51St. Paul Pass (Bitterroot Mountains). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52Saddle Mountains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53Snoqualmie Pass (Cascade Range) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54Current mountain grades compared . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
GRAND TRUNK PACIFIC/CANADIAN NORTHERN (CN) . . .56
Yellowhead Pass (Rocky Mountains) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57Albreda Summit (Columbia/Thompson drainage divide) . . . . . . . . . . . 58Tete Jaune Cutoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
INTER-RAILROAD COMPARISONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Crossings of the Great Divide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61Crossings of the Cascades, Selkirks, and Columbia/Thompson drainage
divide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62Abandoned surface routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63Abandoned surface routes and first Cascade Tunnel route . . . . . . . . . . . 64B&O Seventeen Mile Grade vs. NP Mullan Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
CONTENTSGrade Profiles
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 1
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 2
Summit 2,628 feetStationsTunnels
Altamon
t
Swan
ton
Strec
ker
Strecker Safety Spur, 12%
Bond Safety Spur, 12%
Bond
Big Cu
rve
Blooming
ton
WVA Ce
ntral
Jct
BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROADALLEGHENY MOUNTAINS, CUMBERLAND DIVISION, 17-MILE GRADE
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
1851CSXT mileage
204206208210212214216218220222224226750
1,000
1,250
1,500
1,750
2,000
2,250
2,500
2,750
Hitchcock Tunnel399 feet
Everett Tunneldaylighted 1911
Avg 2.055%,max 2.69%
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 3
BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROADALLEGHENY MOUNTAINS, CUMBERLAND DIVISION, 17-MILE GRADE
Alta
mon
t
WVA
Cen
tral
Jct
Elev
atio
n
CSXT mileage
2.2%
Grad
ient
(per
cent
)
17-Mile Grade
206210215220224.03500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
206210215220-2
-1
0
1
2
3
224.03
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 4
10.96 miles averaging 116.17 feet/mile (2.200%)
BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROADALLEGHENY MOUNTAINS, CUMBERLAND DIVISION, 17-MILE GRADE GRADIENTS
2.2%
CSXT mileage204206208210212214216218220222224226
-2
-1.5
-1
-0.5
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 5
Summit 1,856 feetStationsTunnels
Independence
Newburg
(Austen)
Murray Tunneldaylighted 1911
Rodemer Tunneldaylighted 1911
Cranberry Gradeavg 2.148%, max 2.5%
Cheat River Gradeavg 2.024%, max 2.45%
Newburg Gradeavg 2.021%, max 2.18%
McGuire Tunneldaylighted 1911
Second Kingwood Tunnel1919, 4,202 feet
West End
Tunnelton
Blaser
Rowlesburg
Cheat River bridge
MK Tower
McMillan
Rodemer
(Salt Lick)
Terra Alta
BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROADALLEGHENY MOUNTAINS, CRANBERRY/CHEAT RIVER/NEWBURG GRADES
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
1852CSXT mileage
1,000
2,750
240245250255260265270
1,250
1,500
1,750
2,000
2,250
2,500
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 6
BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROADALLEGHENY MOUNTAINS, CRANBERRY/CHEAT RIVER/NEWBURG GRADES
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
245 242.19250255260265
Elev
atio
n
Inde
pend
ence
Tera
Alta
245 242.19250255CSXT mileage
260265268.57
-2
-1
1
0
2
2.2%
Grad
ient
(per
cent
)
Cranberry Grade
Cheat River GradeNewburg Grade
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 7
NewburgGrade
Cheat RiverGrade
CranberryGrade
BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROADALLEGHENY MOUNTAINS, CRANBERRY/CHEAT RIVER/NEWBURG GRADIENTS
2.2%
CSXT mileage
-3
-2
-1
0
2
3
8.55 miles averaging115.46 feet/mile (2.197%)
4.16 milesaveraging
106.87 feet/mile(2.024%)
5.03 miles averaging
106.73 feet/mile(2.021%)
240245250255260265270
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 8
Northern Pacific Railway
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 9
Summits 5,714, 5,565, 5,562 feetSurface route, 1883–1884First Bozeman Tunnel, 1884–1945Second Bozeman Tunnel, 1945–presentTunnels
NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAYBELT MOUNTAINS, BOZEMAN PASS, SURFACE AND TUNNEL ROUTES
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
Same point; 0.414 miles
Mileageequation
Max 4%; avg 3.547%
Max 4%; avg 3.732%
152 ft
5,450
5,500
5,550
5,600
5,650
5,700
5,750
126.5127.0127.5128.0128.5129.0129.5
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 10
5,520
5,525
5,530
5,535
5,540
5,545
5,550
5,555
5,560
5,565
5,570
127.0127.3127.5127.8128.0128.3128.5
Summits 5,565, 5,562 feetFirst Bozeman Tunnel - 1884-1945Second Bozeman Tunnel - 1945 - presentTunnels
vc
vc
-0.2% -0.12% 0.145%
0.8%
1.2%
vc
vc vc
0.6%
vc
NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAYBELT MOUNTAINS, BOZEMAN PASS, TUNNEL ROUTES
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
1.6%1.9
%
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 11
Summits 5,714, 5,562 feetAbandoned surface routeStationsTunnels
Bozeman
(Chestnut)
West EndMuir
(Hoppe
rs)
West Li
vings
ton
Living
ston
NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAYBELT MOUNTAINS, BOZEMAN PASS, MT
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
4,250
4,500
4,750
5,000
5,250
5,500
5,750
1 101 15120125130135140145
Approximate total rise + fall: via surface line 2,211 feet via 1st Bozeman Tunnel 1,913 feet via 2nd Bozeman Tunnel 1,907 feet
Daylighted 1952
1.8% comp;avg 1.778%
1.9% comp;avg 1.496% LC 1907 reducing grade from
2.2% comp to 1.8% comp;double-tracked
LC 1945 for Second Bozeman Tunnel
LC 1908 reducing grade from 2.2% comp to 1.9% comp;double-tracked
LC 1962
Formerly DT, single-tracked 1962
Formerly DT, single-tracked 1962
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 12
Summit 5,548 feetStationsTunnels
Elliston
(Sampson)
end OH line
Blossburg
begin
OH line
Skyli
ne
(Wee
d)
Austin
(Birdsey
e)
Helena
Jct.
Helena
Mullan Tunnel
Iron Ridge Tunnel
NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAYROCKY MOUNTAINS, GREAT DIVIDE, MULLAN PASS
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
Approx. total rise + fall: 2,125 feet 3,750
4,000
4,250
4,500
4,750
5,000
5,250
5,500
5,750
051015202530
2.2% comp;avg 2.071%
1.4% comp;avg 1.333%
1.4% comp;avg 1.365% LC 1966/68, Iron Ridge Tunnel eliminated 1968
LC 1952
1883
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 13
4,250
4,500
4,750
5,000
5,250
5,500
5,750
6,000
6,250
6,500
354045505560657075
Butte
Mtn Tran
Skokes
Highview Homestake
Welch
Spire
Rock
balla
st pit
Pipest
one
Whiteh
all
Summit 6,325 feetTunnelsStations
NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAYROCKY MOUNTAINS, GREAT DIVIDE, HOMESTAKE PASS
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
1890
Approx. total rise + fall: 2,838
LC 1954
MRL lease
2.2% comp;avg 2.011%
Mostly 2.2% comp;avg 2.029%
LC 1956 eliminated Homestake Tunnel
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 14
2,750
3,000
3,250
3,500
3,750
4,000
0510152025
Summit 3,915 feetStations
Arlee
(Schley)
Evaro
(Nagos
)
Desmet
NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAYCORIACAN DEFILE, EVARO HILL, MT
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
1883
Approx. total rise + fall: 1,608
2.2% comp;avg 1.980%
2.2% comp;avg 2.142%
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 15
Summits 3,678, 2,837 feet1887 Switchback route1888 Stampede Tunnel routeTunnels
NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAYCASCADE RANGE, STAMPEDE PASS, SWITCHBACK ROUTE
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
2,500
2,750
3,000
3,250
3,500
3,750
45464748495051525354
Tail track #1
Tail track #2
Tail track #4
Tail track #5
Tail track #3
Max 5.6%; avg 5.050%
Max 5.2%; avg 4.987%
Stampede Tunnel
841 ft
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 16
1,500
1,750
2,000
2,250
2,500
2,750
3,000
3,250
3,500
3,750
354045505560
Summits - 3,678, 2,837 feet1887 Switchback route1888 Stampede Tunnel routeStationsTunnelsSnowsheds
SW #5SW #4
SW #2
SW #1
Lester
(Kennedy)
StampedeMartin
(Upham
)
Easto
n
NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAYSTAMPEDE PASS, CASCADE RANGE, STAMPEDE PASS
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
1887 1887
StampedeTunnel
SW #3
Tunnel #4
1914 LC 1888
Double-tracked 1914
Double-tracked 1914
Same point4.14 miles
2.2% comp;avg 2.035%"
2.2% comp;avg. 2.117%
Approximate total rise + fall: via surface line 3,590 feet via Stampede Tunnel 1,908 feet
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 17
West of summit East of summitMiles
Feet
bel
ow s
umm
itNORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAYCOMPARISON OF MOUNTAIN PASSES
-2,250
-2,000
-1,750
-1,500
-1,250
-1,000
-750
-500
-250
0
-15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25
Bozeman Pass
Mullan Pass
Evaro HillStampede Pass
Homestake Pass
2.2% compensated
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 18
Canadian Pacific Railway
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 19
110115120125130135
Summit 5,298 feet1884–1909 ProfileStationsDay Tunnel, 161 feet
Safety Spur #3
Safety Spur #2
Safety Spur #1
Field
old Yoho
Hector
Stephen
Lagg
an
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAYROCKY MOUNTAINS, GREAT DIVIDE, KICKING HORSE PASS
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
300+ ft
4,000
4,250
4,500
4,750
5,000
5,250
5,500
1884 1883
Day Tunnel
4.5%
Slo
pe
2.2%
Slop
e
Area to startmore gradualalignments
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 20
Main trackSafety spur #1 (1902 revision, 1,050 feet)
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAYKICKING HORSE PASS, BIG HILL, SAFETY SPUR #1
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
4,920
4,940
4,960
4,980
5,000
5,020
5,040
126.6126.7126.8126.9127.0
Avg 8.2%
Avg 6.3%
96 feet
-4.32%
-4.375%
-4.5%
-4.5%
-4.44%
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 21
Main trackSafety spur #2 (640 feet)
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAYKICKING HORSE PASS, BIG HILL, SAFETY SPUR #2
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
50 feet
Avg 6.4%
4,740
4,760
4,780
4,800
4,820
127.5127.6127.7127.8
-4.36%
-4.5%
-4.5%
-4.38%
-4.5%
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 22
Main trackSafety spur #3 (700 feet)
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAYKICKING HORSE PASS, BIG HILL, SAFETY SPUR #3
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
51 feet
Avg 10.3%
-4.32%
-4.5%
-4.35%-4.5%
4,420
4,440
4,460
4,480
4,500
4,520
128.9129.0129.1129.2
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 23
Day Tunnel 161 feet
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAYROCKY MOUNTAINS, KICKING HORSE PASS, BIG HILL GRADIENTS
1909 grade revision
-5.0
-4.5
-4.0
-3.5
-3.0
-2.5
-2.0
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
0.0
0.5
126127128129130
-4.5% comp @ 0.03%/degree, avg -4.307%
2.2%
-2.4% notcorrected
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 24
1909 Spiral Tunnels grade vision1884–1909 abandoned Big HillStationsTunnels
Day Tunnel
3rd 1909 Tunnel
Partridge
Yoho
Cathedral
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAYROCKY MOUNTAINS, KICKING HORSE PASS, 1909 SPIRAL TUNNELS GRADE REVISION
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
Common point3.992 miles
LC 1909
2.2 comp, Avg 1.960%
18841884
4,250
4,500
4,750
5,000
5,250
124125126127128129130131132133134135
Upper Spiral Tunnel10° left, 264°; 10° right, 61°3,255 feet
Lower Spiral Tunnel10° right, 262°tangent2,922 feet
Design Parameters:2.2% compensated Curves - 0.04%/degree Curves in tunnels - 0.06%/degree Tangents in tunnels - 0.02%
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 25
Summit 5,298 feet1909–1981 Profile1884-1909 abandoned Big HillStations (1955)Tunnels
Day Tunnel
3d 1909 Tunnel
Lower Spiral Tunnel
Upper Spiral Tunnel
Field
Cathedral
Yoho
Partridge
Hector
Stephen
Lake Louise
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAYROCKY MOUNTAINS, KICKING HORSE PASS
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
4,000
4,250
4,500
4,750
5,000
5,250
5,500
115120125130135140
Common point3.992 miles
1909 grade revision 2.2% comp; avg 1.960%
1884 grade 2.2% comp, avg 1.860%
Avg 1.853%
Avg 1.527%
2.2%
slop
e
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 26
1883–1884 line - EB trains1981 1% grade revision - WB trainsStations 2010
Divide
(Lake Louise station)
Lake Louise
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAYROCKY MOUNTAINS, KICKING HORSE PASS, 1981 LAKE LOUISE GRADE REVISION
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
5,000
5,050
5,100
5,150
5,200
5,250
5,300
1 161 17181 19120121122
Common point, 0.096 miles
Max 1.82%, avg 1.527%
1884 18831981
1% slope
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 27
Summit 5,298 feet1884–1909 Profile1981 1% grade revision - WB trains1884-1909 abandoned Big HillStations 2010Tunnels
Field
Cathedral
Yoho
Partridge
StephenDivi
de
Lake
Louis
e
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAYROCKY MOUNTAINS, GREAT DIVIDE, KICKING HORSE PASS
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
4,000
4,250
4,500
4,750
5,000
5,250
5,500
115120125130135
Commonpoint
2.2% comp, avg 1.860%
2.2% comp, avg 1.960%Day Tunnel
3rd 1909 Tunnel
Lower Spiral Tunnel
Upper Spiral Tunnel
LC 19601909
Second track 19811884 1884
1.0% comp
Approx. total rise+fall: 1,551 feet
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 28
Summit 4,298 feet1885-1916 profileStationsBridges
Stone
y Cree
k Brid
ge
Surpr
ise Cr
eek B
ridge
Mounta
in Cre
ek Brid
ge
Roge
rs
Pass
Hermit
Bear C
reek
Glacier
Cutba
nk
Sturde
e
Griffith
Beave
rmou
th
Albert Canyon
Downie
Illecillewaet
Flat Creek
Ross Peak
Six Mile
Cree
k
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAYCOLUMBIA MOUNTAIN GROUP, SELKIRK RANGE, ROGERS PASS
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
2,000
2,250
2,500
2,750
3,000
3,250
3,500
3,750
4,000
4,250
4,500
55657585951051 15
Cambie
2.2% comp;avg 1.799%
2.2% comp;avg 1.896%
2.2% comp;avg 2.081%
2.2% comp;avg 2.083%
2.2% comp;avg 2.107%
Avg 1.493%
1885
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 29
Summit 4,298 feet1885-1916 surface routeStationsSnowsheds under 1,500 feetSnowsheds over 1,500 feetBridges
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAYROGERS PASS, SURFACE ROUTE 1885–1916
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
1885 LC 1909 1885
3,4007677787980818283848586878889909192
3,600
3,800
4,000
4,200
4,400
Stoney Creek Bridge
Roge
rs
Pass
Hermit
Bear C
reek
Glacier
Cambie1
23
4, 5, 67
89
1011
1213
1415
1617
1819
19a20
2122
2425, 26, 27
28
29, 30, 31
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 30
Summits 4,298, 3,745 feet1885-1916 abandoned surface route1916 Connaught Tunnel route Stations (1955)TunnelsBridges
Conn
augh
t
Hermit
Bear
Creek
Roge
rs
Pass
Glacier
Glacier
Cambie Connaught Tunnel, 1.0%, 5.03 miles
Stone
y Cree
k
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAYROGERS PASS, 1916 CONNAUGHT TUNNEL GRADE REVISION
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
LC 1916
3,250
3,500
3,750
4,000
4,250
4,500
767880828486889092
Stoney Creek Bridge
Level
0.627%
553feet
-2.2%
2.2% comp
2.2% co
mp
Common point4.304 miles
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 31
Summits 4,298, 3,745 feet1885-1916 abandoned surface route1916-1974 profileStations - 1955 Tunnels
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAYROGERS PASS, 1916–1974 PROFILE
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
Stone
y Cree
k
Conn
augh
t2.2%
comp
2.2%
com
p
2.2%
com
p
2.2%
com
p
1.0%
Cutba
nk
Sturde
e
Griffith
Beave
rmou
th
Albert Canyon
Downie
Illecillewaet
Flat Creek
Ross Peak
Roge
rs (Si
x Mile
Cree
k)
1885 1885LC 1916
2,000
2,250
2,500
2,750
3,000
3,250
3,500
3,750
4,000
4,250
4,500
5565758595105
Commonpoint
Glacier
Connaught Tunnel5.03 miles
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 32
2,350
2,400
2,450
2,500
2,550
2,600
5658606264666870
1885-1974 abandoned due to Mica DamStations
Avg 0.760%
Avg 1.537%
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAYROGERS PASS, 1974 BEAVERMOUTH LINE CHANGE
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
LC 1974 18851885
Roge
rs
(Roge
rs)
Beave
rmou
th
(Beave
rmou
th)
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 33
Summits 4,298, 3,745 feet1885-1916 abandoned surface line1885-1974 abandoned Beavermouth line1974–1988 profileStationsTunnels
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAYROGERS PASS, 1974–1988 PROFILE
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
1885 LC 19741885LC 1916
Stone
y Cree
k
(Conn
augh
t)
Glacier
(Cutba
nk)
(Sturd
ee)
Griffith
Beave
rmou
th
Albert Canyon
Downie
Illecillewaet
Flat Creek
Ross Peak
Roge
rs (Si
x Mile
Cree
k)
Commonpoint
2,250
2,500
2,750
3,000
3,250
3,500
3,750
4,000
4,250
4,500
5560657075808590951001051 102,000
2.2% com
p
2.2%
com
p
2.2%
com
p
2.2%
com
p
Connaught Tunnel5.03 miles
1.0%
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 34
2,500
2,750
3,000
3,250
3,500
3,750
4,000
657075808590
Summits 3,745, 3,462 feetConnaught Track EB trainsMacdonald Track WB trainsStationsTunnelsBridges
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAYROGERS PASS, 1988 MACDONALD TUNNEL GRADE REVISION
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
1885 1885LC 19161988 Macdonald track
Glacier
Ross Peak
(Conn
augh
t)
Stone
y Cree
k
Stone
y Cree
k Brid
ge
(Cutba
nk)
(Sturd
ee)
Griffith
Fraine
Macdo
nald
Bear C
reek
Wakely
Macdonald Tunnel9.02 miles, 0.7%
Shaughnessy Tunnel0.91 miles
Connaught Tunnel5.03 miles, 1.0%
2.2%
comp
1% comp
2.2% comp
282feet
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 35
Summits 4,298, 3,745, 3,462 feet1885-1916 abandoned surface route1885-1974 abandoned Beavermouth lineConnaught track, EB trainsMacdonald track, WB trainsStationsTunnels
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAYROGERS PASS, 1988+ PROFILE
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
Stoney Creek
(Connaught)
ConnaughtTunnel
Wakely
Macdo
nald
Bear C
reek
Glacier
(Cutba
nk)
(Sturd
ee)
Griffith
Beave
rmou
th
Fraine
Albert Canyon
Downie
Illecillewaet
Flat Creek
Ross Peak
Roge
rs
Commonpoint
2,000
2,250
2,500
2,750
3,000
3,250
3,500
3,750
4,000
4,250
4,500
110 556065707580859095100105
Macdonald Tunnel
Shaughnessy Tunnel
2.2% com
p
2.2%
com
p
2.2%
com
p
2.2%
com
p
1.0%
Approximate total rise + fall: via surface line 3,978 feet via Connaught Track 2,872 feet via Macdonald Track 2,306 feet
0.7%
1.0% comp
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 36
1885 profile - EB trains 1979 1% grade revision - WB trainsStationsTunnels
Clanw
illiam
Tumtum
(Tumtum
1979
-2005)
Begbie
Revelstoke
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAYCOLUMBIA MOUNTAIN GROUP, GOLD RANGE, EAGLE PASS, CLANWILLIAM GRADE REVISION
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
Common point 0.431 miles
Columbia Riverbridge
188519071% 1979
Avg 1.198%, max 1.45
1,400
1,450
1,500
1,550
1,600
1,650
1,700
1,750
1,800
01234567891011
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 37
1885 profile - EB trains - Avg 1.12%, max 1.6% 1980 1% grade revision - WB trainsStations
Notch Hill
(Carlin
)
Tappe
n
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAYSHUSWAP LAKES, NOTCH HILL GRADE REVISION
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
Common point 2.02 miles
Avg 1.12%, max 1.6%
1% WB 1980
1,100
1,200
1,300
1,400
1,500
1,600
1,700
6870727476788082
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 38
West of summit East of summitMiles
Feet
bel
ow s
umm
itCANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAYCOMPARISON OF MOUNTAIN PASSES
-1,750
-1,500
-1,250
-1,000
-750
-500
-250
0
-25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25
Kicking Horse Pass
Macdonald Track 1% WB
ConnaughtTrack
Lake Louise, 1% WB
Rogers Pass
0.7%
1.0% comp2.2
% co
mp2.2
% co
mp
2.2% com
p
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 39
Great Northern Railway
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 40
Summit 5,215 feetMarias Pass profileStationsBridgesSnowsheds
11
12
10.710
8, 97, 7A
4D5, 6
Essex
Java West
Java East
Blacktail
MariasWest
Bison
East
Bison
Summit
WestGlacier Park
GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAYROCKY MOUNTAINS, MARIAS PASS, 1891
Elev
atio
n (f
eet
per
railr
oad
reco
rds)
3,750
4,000
4,250
4,500
4,750
5,000
5,250
5,500
BNSF true mileposts
Middle Fork Flathead River (778 feet long, 150 feet high)
1.8% comp;avg 1.678%
1.0% comp;avg 0.895%
1.1% comp;avg 1.072%
Sheep Creek (464 feet long, 117 feet high) Approx. total rise + fall: 1,800 feet
1,1351,1401,1451,150Double-tracked 1923 Double-tracked 1924
1,1551,1601,1651,170
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 41
Summit 4,027 feet1893–1900 profileStationsTunnelsMajor bridgesSnowsheds (1894)
Drury
Tumwater Dam Tumwate
r
Powerhouse Leav
enwort
h
PeshastinSkykomish
Last Spike
Tonga
Alpine
Madison
Corea
Embro
Merritt
Winton
Chiwau
kum
GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAYCASCADE RANGE, STEVENS PASS, 1893-1900
Elev
atio
n (f
eet
per
railr
oad
reco
rds)
750
1,000
1,250
1,500
1,750
2,000
2,250
2,500
2,750
3,000
3,250
3,500
3,750
4,000
4,250
BNSF true mileposts
Wellington
Nason C
reek
Casca
de Tu
nnel
Berne
Gayno
r
2.2% comp;avg 2.024%
2.2% comp;avg 2.065%
max 4.0%; avg 3.28%
max 3.5%; avg 2.72%Switchback surface route
1,6651,6751,6851,6951,7051,7151,7251,735
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 42
Summits 4,027, 3,350 feet1893–1900 switchback surface route1893 2.2% appraoches1900 First Cascade Tunnel routeStationsTunnelsSnowsheds (1894)
Casca
de Tu
nnel
GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAYSTEVENS PASS, 1893-1900, SWITCHBACK SURFACE ROUTE
Elev
atio
n (f
eet
per
railr
oad
reco
rds)
BNSF true mileposts
#1#2
#3#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#1
#3#2A, 2B
#1
#3#2A, 2B
Common point6.865 miles
2,800
3,000
3,200
3,400
3,600
3,800
4,000
1,7021,7041,7061,7081,7101,7121,7141,7161,718
Wellington Wellington
(Tye after 1910)
Loop with wye
Elevation equation3313.34 W = 3345.76 E
1900, First Cascade Tunnel13,183 feet, 1.695%
342-foot extension
349-foot extension
West slopeMax 4.0%;avg 3.278%
East slopeMax 3.5%;avg 2.720%
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 43
Summits 4,027, 3,350 feet1893–1900 abandoned switchback surface route1900–1929 profile using First Cascade TunnelFirst Cascade Tunnel, 2.6 milesStationsMajor bridgesSnowsheds (1894)
2.2% comp;avg 2.024%
2.2% comp;avg 2.065%
GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAYCASCADE RANGE, 1900-1929 PROFILE
Elev
atio
n (f
eet
per
railr
oad
reco
rds)
BNSF true mileposts
Skykomish
Last Spike
Scenic
Tonga
Alpine
Casca
de Tu
nnel
Merritt
Pesthastin
750
1,000
1,250
1,500
1,750
2,000
2,250
2,500
2,750
3,000
3,250
3,500
3,750
4,000
4,250
1,6651,6701,6751,6801,6851,6901,6951,7001,7051,7101,7151,7201,7251,7301,735
Nason C
reek
Berne
Gayno
rCorea
Embro
Wellington/Tye
Common point6.865 miles
Chiwau
kum
Drury
Winton
Tumwate
r
Tumwater Dam
Leav
enwort
h
Powerhouse
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 44
1928–present Chumstick LineAbandoned 1893–1928 Tumwater Canyon lineTunnelsStations
GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAYCASCADE RANGE, STEVENS PASS, 1928 CHUMSTICK LINE CHANGE
Elev
atio
n (f
eet
per
railr
oad
reco
rds)
BNSF true mileposts
1,000
1,250
1,500
1,750
2,000
2,250
1,6701,6751,6801,6851,690
Winton
(new
)
Tumwater Dam
Tumwate
r
Powerhouse
Drury
Chiwau
kum
Winton
(old)
(Plain
s)
(Chum
stick)
Leav
enwort
h
Leavenworth
Peshastin
Winton Tunnel(4,059 feet, 0.82%)
2.2% comp;avg 2.151%
1.6 comp; avg 1.544%
Chumstick Tunnel(2,601 feet, 1.53%)
Common point1.245 miles
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 45
1928–present Chumstick LineAbandoned 1893–1928 Tumwater Canyon lineTunnelsStations
GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAYCHUMSTICK LINE CHANGE, WINTON AREA
Elev
atio
n (f
eet
per
railr
oad
reco
rds)
BNSF true mileposts
1,850
1,900
1,950
2,000
2,050
2,100
2,150
2,200
1,6821,6831,6841,6851,6861,6871,6881,6891,6901,691
Winton
Avg 1.409% (Wint
on)
Winton Tunnel(4,059 feet, 0.82%)
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 46
Summit 2,894 feet 1893–1900 abandoned switchback surface route1900–1929 abandoned First Cascade Tunnel route1929–present Second Cascade Tunnel routeStationsTunnelsSnowsheds (1894)Bridges
#7
#5, #6
#4
#3#2a, 2b
#1
Scenic (old)
Scenic (new)
Last Spike
Wellington/Tye
Berne
Casca
de Tu
nnel
GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAYSTEVENS PASS, WEST SIDE
Elev
atio
n (f
eet
per
railr
oad
reco
rds)
BNSF true mileposts using first Cascade Tunnel
Embro
Corea
Second Cascade Tunnel, 7.79 miles, 1.57%
First Cascade Tunnel, overall 2.63 miles, 1.695%
Martin Creek Tunnel, 1,492 feet
Martin Creekbridges
Tye River bridge
Tunnel #14, 196 feet
1,7041,7061,7081,7101,7121,7141,7161,7181,7201,7221,750
2,000
2,250
2,500
2,750
3,000
3,250
3,500
3,750
Elevationequation
#1#2
#5
#6
#7
#8
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 47
Summits 4,027, 3,350, 2,894 feet 1893–1900 abandoned surface switchback line1893–1928 abandoned Tumwater Canyon route1900–1929 abandoned Frst Cascade Tunnel line1929–present using Second Cascade TunnelStationsTunnels
Skykomish
Last SpikeScenic
Berne
(Gaynor)
Merritt
(Nason C
reek)
Winton
Chum
stick
Leaven
worth
GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAYCASCADE RANGE, STEVENS PASS
Elev
atio
n (f
eet
per
railr
oad
reco
rds)
BNSF true mileposts
750
1,000
1,250
1,500
1,750
2,000
2,250
2,500
2,750
3,000
3,250
3,500
3,750
4,000
4,250
(Plain
s)
(Tonga)(Alpine)
Approximate total rise + fall: via surface line 6,081 feet via 1st Cascade Tunnel 4,590 feet via 2nd Cascade Tunnel 3,816 feet
2.2% comp;avg 2.069%
2.2% comp;avg 2.101%
Second Cascade Tunnel, 7.79 miles, 1.57%
First Cascade Tunneloverall 2.623 miles, 1.695%
Chumstick Tunnel, 2,601 feet, 1.53%
Winton Tunnel, 4,059 feet, 0.82%
Common point6.865 miles
Common point8.961 miles
1,6651,6701,6751,6801,6851,6901,6951,7001,7051,7101,7151,7201,725
Elevation equation2044.35 W = 2080.7 E(+0.815 miles)
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 48
GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAYCOMPARISON OF MOUNTAIN PASSES
Elev
atio
n (f
eet
per
railr
oad
reco
rds)
-2,250
-2,000
-1,750
-1,500
-1,250
-1,000
-750
-500
-250
0
-25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Marias PassRocky Mountains
Stevens PassCascade Range
1.6% comp
2.2% com
p
Marias
1.8%
comp
Casc
ade T
unne
l 1.57
%
2.2%
com
p
West of summit East of summitMiles
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 49
Chicago, Milwaukee, St . Paul and Pacific Railroad
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 50
5,100
5,200
5,300
5,400
5,500
5,600
5,700
5,800
5,900
1,3701,3751,3801,3851,3901,395
Summit 5,793 feetStationsSubstations
Ringling
Hamen
Loweth
Bruno
Lennep
1% comp; avg 0.968%
Uncompensated 1.4%
Gradient averages 0.902%
CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE, ST. PAUL AND PACIFIC RAILROADBELT MOUNTAINS
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
Montana Railroad ("Jawbone") deeded to CMSP&P 1910
Approx. total rise + fall: 1,105
Constructed 1900 by Montana RailroadConstructed 1897 by Montana Railroad
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 51
Summit 6,347 feetStationsTunnelsSubstations
Blacktail Tunnel 2
Blacktail Tunnel 1
Pipestone Pass Tunnel
Fish Creek Tunnel
Butte Yd
Newcomb
Janney
Penfield Donald
Grace
Cedri
c
(Vend
ome)
Piedm
ont
Approx. total rise + fall: 2,892
CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE, ST. PAUL AND PACIFIC RAILROADROCKY MOUNTAINS, GREAT DIVIDE, PIPESTONE PASS
2.00% comp; avg 1.87%
1.66% comp; avg 1.505%
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
Constructed 1908
1,4801,4851,4901,4951,5001,5051,5101,5151,5201,5254,000
4,250
4,500
4,750
5,000
5,250
5,500
5,750
6,000
6,250
6,750
6,500
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 52
2,250
2,500
2,750
3,000
3,250
3,500
3,750
4,000
4,250
4,500
1,7301,7351,7401,7451,7501,7551,7601,7651,7701,7751,780
Summit 4,170 feetStationsTunnelsSubstationsAvery
Stetson
Kyle
Falcon
Adair
RolandEa
st Po
rtal
Bryson
Salte
se
Hauga
n
1.50% and 1.65% comp;avg 1.493%
1.70% comp;avg 1.493%
1.70% comp;avg 1.534%
Approx. total rise + fall: 2,794
CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE, ST. PAUL AND PACIFIC RAILROADROCKY MOUNTAINS, BITTERROOT RANGE, ST. PAUL PASS
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
Constructed 1909
St Paul Pass Tunnel
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 53
Summit 2,460 feetStationsTunnelsSubstations
Kittitas
(East Kittitas)
Bolyston
(Chev
iot)
(Rye)
Doris
Beverl
y
1.60% comp;avg 1.560%
2.20% comp;avg 2.186%
Approx. total rise + fall: 2,774
CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE, ST. PAUL AND PACIFIC RAILROADSADDLE MOUNTAINS
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
Constructed 1908
250
500
750
1,000
1,250
1,500
1,750
2,000
2,250
2,500
2,750
2,0202,0252,0302,0352,0402,0452,0502,0552,060
Johnson Creek Tunnel #45
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 54
750
1,000
1,250
1,500
1,750
2,000
2,250
2,500
2,750
2,800
2,0952,1002,1052,1102,1152,1202,1252,1302,1352,140
Summit 2,564 feetStationsTunnelsSnowshedsSubstations
Cedar Falls
(Ragnar)
Bandera
(Rockdale)Hya
k
(Keec
helus
)
(Whit
tier)
Easto
n
Snoqualmie Tunnel
Whittier Tunnel Easton
Tunnel
Approx. total rise + fall: 2,058
Tunnel Line opened Jan 17, 1915
(surface route 1908-1915)
1.74% comp; avg 1.591%
0.62% comp; avg 0.604%
CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE, ST. PAUL AND PACIFIC RAILROADCASCADE RANGE, SNOQUALMIE PASS
0.70% comp; avg 0.632%
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
1908
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 55
2,250
2,000
1,750
1,500
1,250
1,000
750
500
250
0
25 2520 15 10 5
West of summit East of summitMiles
0 5 10 15 20
Snoqualmie Pass,Cascade Range
Saddle Mountains
St Paul Pass,Bitterroot Mountains
Pipestone Pass,Rocky Mountains
Loweth, Belt Mountains
Feet
bel
ow s
umm
itCHICAGO, MILWAUKEE, ST. PAUL AND PACIFIC RAILROADCOMPARISON OF MOUNTAIN GRADES
2.2% com
pensated
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 56
Grand Trunk Pacific Railway,Canadian Northern Railway (CN)
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 57
Legacy Grand Trunk Pacific 1912 Legacy Canadian Northern 1915StationsTunnel, 315 feetSummit 3,718 feet
Grant Brook
Fitzwilliam
(Lucerne)
Yellowhead
(Decoig
ne)
Geike
Wynd
Jasper
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAYROCKY MOUNTAINS, GREAT DIVIDE, YELLOWHEAD PASS
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
–2.2
% s
lope
+0.4% slope
+2.2% slope
-0.4%
slop
e
3,350
3,400
3,450
3,500
3,550
3,600
3,650
3,700
3,750
0510152025303540
Approx. total rise + fall, Jasper-Grant Brook: 516 feet
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 58
Legacy CNo 1915StationsSummit 2,866 feet
Lempriere
Clemina West
Clemina East
Albreda
Cano
e Rive
r
Canoe River bridge624 feet
Valem
ont
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAYCOLUMBIA/THOMPSON RIVERS DRAINAGE DIVIDE, ALBREDA SUMMIT
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
2,300
2,400
2,500
2,600
2,700
2,800
2,900
707580859095100105110115
1.014%
Avg 0.321%
Avg 0.579%
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 59
Legacy GTP 1912 from Prince Rupert - Higher gradient routeLegacy CNo 1915 from Vancouver - Portion of lower gradient routeLegacy CN 1983 connects GTP and CNo forming lower gradient routeStations Tunnels Snowshed
Lubin
Spicer
Morey
Harvey
Taverna
332 feet
Red Pass14.48 miles
1,216 feet, plus attached snowsheds 148 and 288 feet
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAYTETE JAUNE CUTOFF, LOWER GRADIENT ROUTE HARVEY TO RED PASS
Elev
atio
n (fe
et p
er ra
ilroa
d re
cord
s)
-5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 402,450
2,550
2,650
2,750
2,850
2,950
3,050
3,150
3,250
3,350
3,450
Avg 0.607%
Avg 0.924%361 feet
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 60
Inter-railroad comparisons
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 61
NORTHERN TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROADSCROSSINGS OF THE GREAT DIVIDE, ROCKY MOUNTAINS
Elev
atio
n (f
eet
per
railr
oad
reco
rds)
West of summit East of summitMiles
-2,250
-2,000
-1,750
-1,500
-1,250
-1,000
-750
-500
-250
0
-15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25
NP, Mullan Pass
MILW, Pipestone Pass
CN, Yellowhead Pass
GN, Marias Pass
CP, Kicking Horse Pass
2.2% compensated
CPNP
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 62
NORTHERN TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROADSCROSSINGS OF THE CASCADES, SELKIRKS, COLUMBIA-THOMPSON DRAINAGE DIVIDE
Elev
atio
n (f
eet
per
railr
oad
reco
rds)
West of summit East of summitMiles
NP, Stampede Pass
CP, Rogers Pass via Connaught CP, Rogers Pass
via Macdonald
GN, Stevens Pass
MILW, Snoqualamie Pass
CN, Albreda Summit
-2,250
-2,000
-1,750
-1,500
-1,250
-1,000
-750
-500
-250
0
-25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
2.2% compensated
GN
GN
NP NP
CP
CP
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 63
NORTHERN TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROADSABANDONED SUMMIT LINES, SURFACE ROUTES
Elev
atio
n (f
eet
per
railr
oad
reco
rds)
West of summit East of summitMiles
-1,250
-1,000
-750
-500
-250
0
-8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10
NP, Belt Mountains, Bozeman Pass
NP, Cascade Range, Stampede Pass
CP, Selkirk Mountains, Rogers Pass
GN, Cascade Range, Stevens Pass surface route
Max 4%
2.2% comp2.2
% comp
max
4.0%
max
5.2% m
ax 5.6%max 3.5%
Max 4%
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 64
NORTHERN TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROADSABANDONED SUMMIT LINES, SURFACE ROUTES AND FIRST CASCADE TUNNEL ROUTE
Elev
atio
n (f
eet
per
railr
oad
reco
rds)
West of summit East of summitMiles
-2,250
-2,000
-1,750
-1,500
-1,250
-1,000
-750
-500
-250
0
-16 -14 -12 -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10
NP, Belt Mountains, Bozeman Pass
NP, Cascade Range, Stampede Pass
CP, Selkirk Mountains, Rogers PassGN, Cascade Range,
Stevens Pass surface route
GN, Stevens Pass, first Cascade Tunnel approaches
2.2% co
mp
2.2% comp
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes Page 65
NP Mullan Pass east slope, 2.2% compensatedB&O 17-Mile GradeB&O 11-mile segment averaging 2.2%Stations
B&O 17-MILE GRADE VS. NP MULLAN PASS2.2% AVERAGE VS. 2.2% COMPENSATED
Elev
atio
n (f
eet
per
railr
oad
reco
rds)
East of summitMiles
-2,0000 5 10 15 20
-1,750
-1,500
-1,250
-1,000
-750
-500
-250
Helena
Piedmont