Northern Pacific's Lookout Pass Line
A Brief History
The rail line over the Lookout Pass has been built by the Northern Pacific Rail Road and reached Mullan, Id in 1889. At first rail line connected Mullan, Id to Missoula but later the line was extended westward to create a direct connection to Spokane.
In 1909 the Milwaukee Road constructed its pacific coast extension. Both lines run nearly parallel to each other following the Clark Fork River and the St. Regis River until the Milwaukee Road line changed its direction at the St. Paul Pass towards Avery, Id.
In 1933 a big water flood caused major damage at the rail lines in St. Regis River valley between St. Regis and Haugan, Mt. Both companies agreed to rebuild only the Milwaukee Road tracks and from that time forward Northern Pacific trains accessed the Lookout Pass Line by using the Milwaukee Road tracks between St. Regis and Haugan, Mt. Later the Highway 10 has been constructed at the abandoned ROW which was originally part of the Lookout Pass Line.
During the construction of the Interstate 90 in St. Regis River valley from the middle of the 60's until the beginning of the 70's, the Northern Pacific depot sides at Saltese and Taft, Mt have been removed keeping a single rail track to make way for the new four lane road.
In 1970 the Northern Pacific merged into the Burlington Northern Rail Road and the rail traffic at the Lookout Pass Line declined continuously. Eventually all rail traffic in St. Regis River valley was discontinued at the beginning of the 80's and the Lookout Pass Line as well as the Milwaukee Road transcontinental rail line has been dismantled.
