NORTHERN TRANSCONTINENTAL
RAILROAD MOUNTAIN PASSES
Western Mountain Grade Profiles
Doug Welsh, Canadian Pacific Railway, retired
Copyright 2011 Kalmbach Publishing Co.,
magazine
Introduction
T
he following grade profiles of the most northerly transcontinental 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 October 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 uniform format. Detailed profile data was collected from many sources, 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 prepare illustrator-quality profile charts.
Because most of the northern transcontinental railroads have examples 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 conference 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
CONTENTS
Grade Profiles
BALTIMORE AND OHIO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE, ST. PAUL & PACIFIC . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Seventeen Mile Grade (Allegheny Mountains) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Cranberry, Cheat River, and Newburg grades (Allegheny Mountains) . . 5
Loweth Pass (Belt Mountains) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Pipestone Pass (Rocky Mountains) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
St. Paul Pass (Bitterroot Mountains) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Saddle Mountains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Snoqualmie Pass (Cascade Range) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Current mountain grades compared . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
NORTHERN PACIFIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Bozeman Pass (Belt Mountains) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Mullan Pass (Rocky Mountains) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Homestake Pass (Rocky Mountains) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Evaro Hill (Coriacan Defile) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Stampede Pass (Cascade Range) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Current mountain grades compared . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
CANADIAN PACIFIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Kicking Horse Pass (Rocky Mountains) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Rogers Pass (Selkirk Range) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Eagle Pass (Gold Range) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Notch Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Current mountain grades compared . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
GREAT NORTHERN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Marias Pass (Rocky Mountains) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Stevens Pass (Cascade Range) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Current mountain grades compared . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
GRAND TRUNK PACIFIC/CANADIAN NORTHERN (CN) . . 56
Yellowhead Pass (Rocky Mountains) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Albreda Summit (Columbia/Thompson drainage divide) . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Tete Jaune Cutoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
INTER-RAILROAD COMPARISONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Crossings of the Great Divide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Crossings of the Cascades, Selkirks, and Columbia/Thompson drainage
divide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Abandoned surface routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Abandoned surface routes and first Cascade Tunnel route . . . . . . . . . . . 64
B&O Seventeen Mile Grade vs. NP Mullan Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
Page 1
BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD
ALLEGHENY MOUNTAINS, CUMBERLAND DIVISION, 17-MILE GRADE
Sw
an
to
n
2,000
1,750
Strecker Safety Spur, 12%
Hitchcock Tunnel
399 feet
Avg 2.055%,
max 2.69%
Big
Cu
rv
e
1,500
Bond Safety Spur, 12%
1,000
750
226
224
222
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
220
218
Everett Tunnel
daylighted 1911
Blo
o
WV ming
AC
to
n en
tra
lJ
ct
Summit 2,628 feet
Stations
Tunnels
1,250
Str
ec
ke
r Elevation (feet per railroad records)
2,250
Bo
nd
2,500
Alt
am
on
t 2,750
216
214
CSXT mileage
1851
212
210
208
206
204
Page 2
Altamont
BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD
ALLEGHENY MOUNTAINS, CUMBERLAND DIVISION, 17-MILE GRADE
WVA Central Jct
2,500
Elevation
2,000
17-Mile
Grade
1,500
1,000
500
224.03
220
215
210
206
220
215
CSXT mileage
210
206
3
2
Gradient (percent)
2.2%
1
0
-1
-2
224.03
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
Page 3
BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD
ALLEGHENY MOUNTAINS, CUMBERLAND DIVISION, 17-MILE GRADE GRADIENTS
3
2.5
2
1.5
2.2%
1
0.5
0
10.96 miles averaging 116.17 feet/mile (2.200%)
-0.5
-1
-1.5
-2
226
224
222
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
220
218
216
214
CSXT mileage
212
210
208
206
204
Page 4
BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD
ALLEGHENY MOUNTAINS, CRANBERRY/CHEAT RIVER/NEWBURG GRADES
2,750
2,250
Second Kingwood Tunnel
1919, 4,202 feet
r
me
de
Ro
1,750
d
En
st
We
Murray Tunnel
daylighted 1911
r
se
Bla
on
elt
nn
Tu
2,000
McGuire Tunnel
daylighted 1911
Cranberry Grade
avg 2.148%, max 2.5%
Rodemer Tunnel
daylighted 1911
Cheat River Grade
avg 2.024%, max 2.45%
)
ten
us
(A
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
2,500
)
rra
Te a ick
Alt lt L
(Sa
Summit 1,856 feet
Stations
Tunnels
1,500
1,250
Independence
1,000
270
265
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
260
n
ge
lla
Mi
r rid
Mc
we r b
To ive
MK eat R burg
Ch wles
Ro
g
ur
wb
Ne
Newburg Grade
avg 2.021%, max 2.18%
255
CSXT mileage
1852
250
245
240
Page 5
Che
at R
iver
Grad
e
ade
r
G
urg
b
w
Ne
265
ade
r
G
rry
e
b
n
Cra
260
255
2,500
2,000
1,500
250
245
Elevation
Independence
Tera Alta
BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD
ALLEGHENY MOUNTAINS, CRANBERRY/CHEAT RIVER/NEWBURG GRADES
1,000
242.19
Gradient (percent)
2
1
0
2.2%
-1
-2
268.57
265
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
260
255
CSXT mileage
250
245
242.19
Page 6
BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD
ALLEGHENY MOUNTAINS, CRANBERRY/CHEAT RIVER/NEWBURG GRADIENTS
3
2
0
2.2%
-1
Newburg
Grade
Cheat River
Grade
Cranberry
Grade
5.03 miles
averaging
106.73 feet/mile
(2.021%)
4.16 miles
averaging
106.87 feet/mile
(2.024%)
8.55 miles averaging
115.46 feet/mile (2.197%)
-2
-3
270
265
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
260
255
CSXT mileage
250
245
240
Page 7
Northern Pacific Railway
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
Page 8
NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY
BELT MOUNTAINS, BOZEMAN PASS, SURFACE AND TUNNEL ROUTES
5,750
Summits 5,714, 5,565, 5,562 feet
Surface route, 1883–1884
First Bozeman Tunnel, 1884–1945
Second Bozeman Tunnel, 1945–present
Tunnels
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
5,700
Max 4%;
avg 3.732%
5,650
152 ft
5,600
Max 4%;
avg 3.547%
5,550
Same point;
0.414 miles
Mileage
equation
5,500
5,450
129.5
129.0
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
128.5
128.0
127.5
127.0
126.5
Page 9
NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY
BELT MOUNTAINS, BOZEMAN PASS, TUNNEL ROUTES
5,570
0.12% 0.145%
-0.2% vc
5,565
0.8
%
vc
vc
5,555
vc
vc
0.6
%
5,545
1.9%
5,550
1.2%
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
5,560
vc
5,540
5,530
1.6%
Summits 5,565, 5,562 feet
First Bozeman Tunnel - 1884-1945
Second Bozeman Tunnel - 1945 - present
Tunnels
5,535
5,525
5,520
128.5
128.3
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
128.0
127.8
127.5
127.3
127.0
Page 10
NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY
BELT MOUNTAINS, BOZEMAN PASS, MT
5,750
1.9% comp;
avg 1.496%
Daylighted 1952
LC 1962
5,000
LC 1907 reducing grade from
2.2% comp to 1.8% comp;
double-tracked
1.8% comp;
avg 1.778%
We
st
Liv
ing
sto
n
Summits 5,714, 5,562 feet
Abandoned surface route
Stations
Tunnels
Liv
ing
sto
n
4,750
Formerly DT, single-tracked 1962
(H
op
pe
rs)
LC 1908 reducing grade from
2.2% comp to 1.9% comp;
double-tracked
n
ma
ze
Bo
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
)
ut
tn
es
(Ch
5,250
Mu
ir
d
En
st
We
Formerly DT,
single-tracked 1962
5,500
LC 1945 for Second
Bozeman Tunnel
4,500
Approximate total rise + fall: via surface line
2,211 feet
via 1st Bozeman Tunnel 1,913 feet
via 2nd Bozeman Tunnel 1,907 feet
4,250
145
140
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
135
130
125
120
1 15
1 10
Page 11
NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY
ROCKY MOUNTAINS, GREAT DIVIDE, MULLAN PASS
5,750
5,500
1.4% comp;
avg 1.333%
(W
ee
d)
5,250
Iron Ridge Tunnel
1.4% comp;
avg 1.365%
LC 1966/68, Iron Ridge Tunnel eliminated 1968
Au
sti
n
5,000
on
ist
Ell
4,750
2.2% comp;
avg 2.071%
4,500
(B
ird
se
ye
)
Summit 5,548 feet
Stations
Tunnels
4,250
He
len
He a Jc
len t.
a
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
n)
so
mp
(Sa
LC 1952
b
Sk egi
yli n O
ne
Hl
ine
rg
bu
ss e
Blo H lin
dO
en
Mullan
Tunnel
4,000
Approx. total rise + fall: 2,125 feet
3,750
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
1883
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
Page 12
NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY
ROCKY MOUNTAINS, GREAT DIVIDE, HOMESTAKE PASS
6,500
6,250
5,750
Mostly
2.2% comp;
avg 2.029%
n
ra
nT
Mt tte
Bu
5,500
2.2% comp;
avg 2.011%
LC 1954
Sp
ire
Ro
ck
5,250
MRL lease
Summit 6,325 feet
Tunnels
Stations
5,000
ba
lla
st
Pip
pit
es
to
ne
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
es
ok
Sk
6,000
Homestake
We
lch
LC 1956 eliminated Homestake Tunnel
Highview
4,750
4,250
Wh
ite
ha
ll
4,500
Approx. total rise + fall: 2,838
75
70
65
60
55
50
45
40
35
1890
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
Page 13
NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY
CORIACAN DEFILE, EVARO HILL, MT
4,000
o
ar
Ev
(N
ag
os
)
y)
hle
(Sc
3,500
2.2% comp;
avg 1.980%
2.2% comp;
avg 2.142%
3,250
De
sm
et
Summit 3,915 feet
Stations
lee
Ar
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
3,750
3,000
Approx. total rise + fall: 1,608
2,750
25
20
15
10
5
0
1883
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
Page 14
NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY
CASCADE RANGE, STAMPEDE PASS, SWITCHBACK ROUTE
3,750
Tail track #3
Summits 3,678, 2,837 feet
1887 Switchback route
1888 Stampede Tunnel route
Tunnels
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
3,500
Max 5.2%;
avg 4.987%
841 ft
Tail track #2
3,250
Max 5.6%;
avg 5.050%
Tail track #4
3,000
Tail track #5
Tail track #1
Stampede Tunnel
2,750
2,500
54
53
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
52
51
50
49
48
47
46
45
Page 15
NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY
STAMPEDE PASS, CASCADE RANGE, STAMPEDE PASS
3,750
SW #3
Summits - 3,678, 2,837 feet
1887 Switchback route
1888 Stampede Tunnel route
Stations
Tunnels
Snowsheds
3,500
SW #2
Same point
4.14 miles
2,750
Double-tracked 1914
Tunnel #4
2,500
Double-tracked 1914
2,250
2,000
2.2% comp;
avg 2.035%"
2.2% comp;
avg. 2.117%
1,750
1,500
SW #1
Martin
Ea
sto
n
e
ed
mp
Sta
Stampede
Tunnel
(U
ph
am
)
SW #4
SW #5
3,000
y)
ed
nn
(Ke
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
3,250
Approximate total rise + fall: via surface line
via Stampede Tunnel
Lester
60
55
1914 LC
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
50
1887
45
1888
40
3,590 feet
1,908 feet
35
1887
Page 16
NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY
COMPARISON OF MOUNTAIN PASSES
0
-250
-500
2.2% compensated
Feet below summit
-750
Stampede Pass
Evaro Hill
-1,000
Bozeman Pass
-1,250
-1,500
Mullan Pass
-1,750
-2,000
-2,250
-15
Homestake Pass
-10
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
-5
0
5
West of summit
Miles
East of summit
10
15
20
25
Page 17
Canadian Pacific Railway
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
Page 18
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY
ROCKY MOUNTAINS, GREAT DIVIDE, KICKING HORSE PASS
5,500
en
ph
Ste
Safety Spur #1
5,000
La
gg
an
Area to start
more gradual
alignments
Safety Spur #2
4,500
Summit 5,298 feet
1884–1909 Profile
Stations
Day Tunnel, 161 feet
Safety
Spur #3
Day Tunnel
4,250
4.5%
Slope
2.2
%
Slo
pe
4,750
old ho
Yo
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
r
cto
He
5,250
300+ ft
4,000
Field
135
130
125
1884
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
120
115
110
1883
Page 19
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY
KICKING HORSE PASS, BIG HILL, SAFETY SPUR #1
5,040
Avg 6.3%
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
5,020
Avg 8.2%
5,000
4%
-4.4
%
-4.5
96 feet
4,980
5%
7
3
.
-4
4,960
Main track
Safety spur #1 (1902 revision, 1,050 feet)
%
-4.5
4,940
2%
-4.3
4,920
127.0
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
126.9
126.8
126.7
126.6
Page 20
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY
KICKING HORSE PASS, BIG HILL, SAFETY SPUR #2
4,820
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
%
-4.5
4,800
Avg 6.4%
8%
3
.
4
-
50 feet
4,780
%
-4.5
4,760
Main track
Safety spur #2 (640 feet)
%
-4.5
6%
-4.3
4,740
127.8
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
127.7
127.6
127.5
Page 21
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY
KICKING HORSE PASS, BIG HILL, SAFETY SPUR #3
4,520
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
4,500
Avg 10.3%
%
-4.5
5%
-4.3
4,480
51 feet
%
-4.5
4,460
2%
-4.3
Main track
Safety spur #3 (700 feet)
4,440
4,420
129.2
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
129.1
129.0
128.9
Page 22
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY
ROCKY MOUNTAINS, KICKING HORSE PASS, BIG HILL GRADIENTS
0.5
0.0
Day Tunnel
161 feet
1909 grade revision
-0.5
-1.0
2.2%
-1.5
-2.0
-2.5
-3.0
-2.4% not
corrected
-3.5
-4.0
-4.5
-4.5% comp @ 0.03%/degree, avg -4.307%
-5.0
130
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
129
128
127
126
Page 23
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY
ROCKY MOUNTAINS, KICKING HORSE PASS, 1909 SPIRAL TUNNELS GRADE REVISION
5,250
ho
Yo
Lower Spiral Tunnel
10° right, 262°
tangent
2,922 feet
4,750
e
idg
rtr
Pa
Upper Spiral Tunnel
10° left, 264°;
10° right, 61°
3,255 feet
5,000
2.2 comp, Avg 1.960%
l
ne
un
yT
Da
l
ne
un
9T
90
d1
3r
4,500
l
ra
ed
th
Ca
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
Design Parameters:
2.2% compensated
Curves - 0.04%/degree
Curves in tunnels - 0.06%/degree
Tangents in tunnels - 0.02%
4,250
135
134
1884
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
1909 Spiral Tunnels grade vision
1884–1909 abandoned Big Hill
Stations
Tunnels
Common point
3.992 miles
133
132
131
130
LC 1909
129
128
127
126
125
124
1884
Page 24
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY
ROCKY MOUNTAINS, KICKING HORSE PASS
5,500
en
ph
Ste
r
cto
He
5,250
Avg 1.527%
e
uis
Lo
ke
La
4,500
1909 grade revision
2.2% comp; avg 1.960%
Summit 5,298 feet
1909–1981 Profile
1884-1909 abandoned Big Hill
Stations (1955)
Tunnels
Common point
3.992 miles
ld
Fie
4,000
140
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
2.2
%
slo
pe
4,250
1884 grade
2.2% comp,
avg 1.860%
el
nn
Tu oho
Y
4,750
e
idg
rtr
Pa
al
pir
rS
pe
Up
5,000
el
nn
Tu
l
al
ra
pir
ed
el
rS
ath
n
C
n
we
u
el
Lo
9T
nn
190 y Tu
3d
Da
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
Avg 1.853%
135
130
125
120
115
Page 25
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY
ROCKY MOUNTAINS, KICKING HORSE PASS, 1981 LAKE LOUISE GRADE REVISION
5,300
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
5,250
Div
ide
Common point, 0.096 miles
Max 1.82%,
avg 1.527%
5,200
1%
slo
pe
5,150
5,100
5,050
5,000
(Lake Louise station)
1883–1884 line - EB trains
1981 1% grade revision - WB trains
Stations 2010
122
121
Lake
Louise
120
1884
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
1 19
1981
18
1 17
1 16
1883
Page 26
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY
ROCKY MOUNTAINS, GREAT DIVIDE, KICKING HORSE PASS
en
ph
Ste
1.0%
com
p
4,500
La
ke
Lo
uis
e
el
nn
Tu oho
Y
4,750
e
idg
rtr
Pa
al
pir
rS
pe
Up
5,000
el
nn
Tu
l
al
ra
pir
ed
th
rS
el
Ca
nn
we
l
u
Lo
ne
9T
un
90
yT
d1
3r
Da
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
5,250
Div
ide
5,500
Summit 5,298 feet
1884–1909 Profile
1981 1% grade revision - WB trains
1884-1909 abandoned Big Hill
Stations 2010
Tunnels
2.2% comp,
avg 1.960%
Common
point
4,250
2.2% comp, avg 1.860%
ld
Fie
4,000
Approx. total rise+fall: 1,551 feet
135
1884
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
130
1909
125
LC 1960
120
Second track 1981
1884
115
Page 27
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY
COLUMBIA MOUNTAIN GROUP, SELKIRK RANGE, ROGERS PASS
R
Pa oger
ss s
4,500
ak
Pe
ss
Ro
3,500
3,000
2,750
2,000
115
t
er n
Alb nyo
Ca
2,250
Summit 4,298 feet
1885-1916 profile
Stations
Bridges
2.2% comp;
avg 1.799%
105
2.2% comp;
avg 2.107%
2.2% comp;
avg 1.896%
ie
wn
Do
2,500
2.2% comp;
avg 2.081%
ek
re
tC
Fla
3,250
2.2% comp;
avg 2.083%
95
Be
ar
Cr
S
ee
to
Cu
k
n
t
ey
Stu Su ban
Cr
rd rpr k
ee
Gr
ee is
kB
iffi
eC
Mo th
rid
re
un
ge
e
kB
tai
Six
rid
nC
Mi
ge
r
ee
le
kB
Cr
ee
rid
k
Be
ge
av
er
mo
ut
h
ie
mb
Ca
3,750
t
ae
lew
cil
Ille
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
4,000
He
rm
it
r
cie
Gla
4,250
85
Avg 1.493%
75
65
55
1885
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
Page 28
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY
ROGERS PASS, SURFACE ROUTE 1885–1916
17
19
19a
20
18
15
14
r
cie
Gla
13
12
11
4,000
4, 5, 6
3
28
3,800
2
1
3,600
Be
ar
Cr
ee
k
Summit 4,298 feet
1885-1916 surface route
Stations
Snowsheds under 1,500 feet
Snowsheds over 1,500 feet
Bridges
29, 30, 31
3,400
7
He
rm
it
25, 26, 27
21
22
24
10
9
8
ie
mb
Ca
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
4,200
16
R
Pa oger
ss s
4,400
Stoney Creek Bridge
92
91
90
89
88
1885
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
87
86
85
84
LC 1909
83
82
81
80
79
78
77
76
1885
Page 29
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY
ROGERS PASS, 1916 CONNAUGHT TUNNEL GRADE REVISION
4,500
Ro
Pa ger
ss s
4,250
r
cie
Gla
4,000
r
cie
Gla
Common point
4.304 miles
3,500
92
90
88
86
84
82
80
Sto
ne
yC
re
ek
Level
Co
nn
au
gh
t
3,250
B
Cr ear
ee
k
0.627%
Con
nau
ght
Tun
nel,
1.0%
, 5.0
3m
iles
-2.
2%
3,750
co
mp
He
rm
it
%
2.2
mp
o
c
2.2
%
553
feet
ie
mb
Ca
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
Summits 4,298, 3,745 feet
1885-1916 abandoned surface route
1916 Connaught Tunnel route
Stations (1955)
Tunnels
Bridges
Stoney
Creek
Bridge
78
76
LC 1916
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
Page 30
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY
ROGERS PASS, 1916–1974 PROFILE
4,500
4,250
2,000
2.2%
com
p
t
er n
Alb nyo
Ca
2,250
ie
wn
Do
2,500
2.2%
com
p
2,750
105
95
1885
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
p
com
2.2%
3,000
Gr
iffi
th
ek
re
tC
Fla
2.2%
com
p
3,250
Connaught
Tunnel
5.03 miles
Summits 4,298, 3,745 feet
1885-1916 abandoned surface route
1916-1974 profile
Stations - 1955
Tunnels
85
75
LC 1916
Ro
ge
rs
(Si
xM
ile
Be
Cr
av
ee
er
k)
mo
ut
h
3,500
1.0
%
Co
n
Sto nau
ne ght
yC
re
ek
ak
Pe
ss
Ro
Common
point
Cu
Stu tban
k
rd
ee
r
cie
Gla
3,750
t
ae
lew
cil
Ille
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
4,000
65
55
1885
Page 31
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY
ROGERS PASS, 1974 BEAVERMOUTH LINE CHANGE
2,600
Ro
ge
rs
Be
av
er
mo
ut
h
(Ro
ge
rs)
2,550
2,500
0%
0.76
Avg
2,450
(B
ea
ve
rm
ou
th
)
537%
Avg 1.
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
1885-1974 abandoned due to Mica Dam
Stations
2,400
2,350
70
68
66
1885
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
64
62
LC 1974
60
58
56
1885
Page 32
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY
ROGERS PASS, 1974–1988 PROFILE
4,500
Summits 4,298, 3,745 feet
1885-1916 abandoned surface line
1885-1974 abandoned Beavermouth line
1974–1988 profile
Stations
Tunnels
4,250
ie
wn
Do
2.2%
com
p
2,750
2.2%
com
p
2,500
t
er n
Alb nyo
Ca
2,250
2,000
p
com
2.2%
ek
re
tC
Fla
3,000
Connaught
Tunnel
5.03 miles
Ro
ge
rs
(Si
xM
Be
ile
av
Cr
er
ee
mo
k)
ut
h
3,250
1.0
%
(Co
n
Sto naug
ne ht)
yC
re
ek
3,500
2.2%
com
p
ak
Pe
ss
Ro
Common
point
(C
(St utba
nk
ur
Gr
de
)
iffi
e)
th
r
cie
Gla
3,750
t
ae
lew
cil
Ille
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
4,000
110
105
100
1885
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
95
90
85
80
LC 1916
75
70
1885
65
60
55
LC 1974
Page 33
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY
ROGERS PASS, 1988 MACDONALD TUNNEL GRADE REVISION
Shaughnessy Tunnel
0.91 miles
2,500
90
1885
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
85
1%
com
p
Fra
ine
2,750
Wa
ke
ly
Summits 3,745, 3,462 feet
Connaught Track EB trains
Macdonald Track WB trains
Stations
Tunnels
Bridges
p
com
3,000
%
2.2
Be
ar
Cr
ee
k
3,250
Ma
cd
on
ald
Macdonald Tunnel
9.02 miles, 0.7%
Gr
iffi
th
2.2
%
282
feet
(St
ur
de
e)
Connaught Tunnel
5.03 miles, 1.0%
3,500
ak
Pe
ss
Ro
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
r
cie
Gla
com
p
3,750
(Co
nn
a
Sto ugh
ne t)
yC
re
Sto
ek
ne
yC
re
(Cu
ek
tb
Br
an
idg
k)
e
4,000
80
LC 1916
1988 Macdonald track
75
1885
70
65
Page 34
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY
ROGERS PASS, 1988+ PROFILE
4,500
Summits 4,298, 3,745, 3,462 feet
1885-1916 abandoned surface route
1885-1974 abandoned Beavermouth line
Connaught track, EB trains
Macdonald track, WB trains
Stations
Tunnels
4,250
Connaught
Tunnel
2,000
110
105
(Cu
tb
(St
an
ur
k)
de
Gr
iffi
e)
th
com
p
Be
av
er
mo
ut
h
Shaughnessy
Tunnel
1.0
%
Fra
in
Ro e
ge
rs
2.2%
com
p
ie
wn
Do
2,250
Macdonald
Tunnel
Approximate total rise + fall: via surface line
3,978 feet
via Connaught Track 2,872 feet
via Macdonald Track 2,306 feet
t
er n
Alb nyo
Ca
2,500
2.2%
com
p
2,750
Stoney
Creek
p
om
%c
2.2
ek
re
tC
Fla
3,000
(Connaught)
Wa
ke
ly
3,250
1.0
%
0.7%
2.2%
com
p
Ma
cd
on
ald
ak
Pe
ss
Ro
3,500
r
cie
Gla
Common
point
Be
ar
Cr
ee
k
3,750
t
ae
lew
cil
Ille
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
4,000
100
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
95
90
85
80
75
70
65
60
55
Page 35
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY
COLUMBIA MOUNTAIN GROUP, GOLD RANGE, EAGLE PASS, CLANWILLIAM GRADE REVISION
Cla
nw
illi
am
Common point
0.431 miles
1,650
1885 profile - EB trains
1979 1% grade revision - WB trains
Stations
Tunnels
(Tu
mt
um
1,700
Tu
mt
um
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
1,750
197
9-2
00
5)
1,800
1,600
Avg 1.198%,
max 1.45
1,550
1,500
Columbia
River
bridge
Revelstoke
Be
gb
ie
1,450
1,400
11
10
9
1907
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
8
7
6
5
4
1% 1979
1885
3
2
1
0
Page 36
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY
SHUSWAP LAKES, NOTCH HILL GRADE REVISION
1,700
Common point
2.02 miles Notch Hill
1885 profile - EB trains - Avg 1.12%, max 1.6%
1980 1% grade revision - WB trains
Stations
Avg 1.12%,
max 1.6%
1,500
(Ca
rli
n)
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
1,600
1% WB 1980
1,400
1,300
Ta
pp
en
1,200
1,100
82
80
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
78
76
74
72
70
68
Page 37
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY
COMPARISON OF MOUNTAIN PASSES
Lake Louise, 1% WB
0
2.2% 2.2% c
omp
com
p
-250
Feet below summit
Kicking Horse Pass
p
com
2.2%
-500
0.7
%
1.0
%
Macdonald com
p
Track 1% WB
-750
Connaught
Track
-1,000
Rogers Pass
-1,250
-1,500
-1,750
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
West of summit
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
0
Miles
5
10
15
20
25
East of summit
Page 38
Great Northern Railway
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
Page 39
GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY
ROCKY MOUNTAINS, MARIAS PASS, 1891
Ea
st
Bis
on
1.0% comp;
avg 0.895%
5,000
1.1% comp;
avg 1.072%
4,750
l
tai
ck
Bla
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
s
ria
Ma
We
st
Bis
on
5,250
Su
mm
it
5,500
4D
5, 6
7, 7A
8, 9
4,500
4,250
st
Ea
va st
Ja a We
v
Ja
4,000
x
se
Es
12
West
Glacier
Park
1.8% comp;
avg 1.678%
Summit 5,215 feet
Marias Pass profile
Stations
Bridges
Snowsheds
10
10.7
11
Middle Fork Flathead River (778 feet long, 150 feet high)
Sheep Creek (464 feet long, 117 feet high)
Approx. total rise + fall: 1,800 feet
3,750
1,170
1,165
Double-tracked 1923
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
1,160
1,155
1,150
Double-tracked 1924
BNSF true mileposts
1,145
1,140
1,135
Page 40
GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY
CASCADE RANGE, STEVENS PASS, 1893-1900
4,250
3,000
2,000
1,750
1,250
Summit 4,027 feet
1893–1900 profile
Stations
Tunnels
Major bridges
Snowsheds (1894)
a
ng
To
1,500
2.2% comp;
avg 2.024%
1,000
750
Ch
iw
au
ku
m
2,250
Tumwater Dam
Powerhouse
Tu
mw
ate
Le
r
av
en
wo
rth
a
re
Co
2,500
2.2% comp;
avg 2.065%
Dr
ur
y
o
br
Em
2,750
Me
rr
Na itt
so
nC
re
Wi
ek
nt
on
on
gt
llin
We
3,250
on
dis e
Ma pik
S
ine
st
Alp
La
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
3,500
Ga
yn
or
max 4.0%; avg 3.28%
Be
rn
e
3,750
Tu
nn
el
Switchback surface route
max 3.5%; avg 2.72%
Ca
sc
ad
e
4,000
Peshastin
Skykomish
1,735
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
1,725
1,715
1,705
1,695
BNSF true mileposts
1,685
1,675
1,665
Page 41
GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY
STEVENS PASS, 1893-1900, SWITCHBACK SURFACE ROUTE
Summits 4,027, 3,350 feet
1893–1900 switchback surface route
1893 2.2% appraoches
1900 First Cascade Tunnel route
Stations
Tunnels
Snowsheds (1894)
4,000
East slope #3
Max 3.5%;
avg 2.720%
#5
#6
3,400
West slope
Max 4.0%;
avg 3.278%
#7
3,200
2,800
1,718
349-foot extension
Common point
6.865 miles
#1
#2A, 2B
#3
1,716
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
#3
1,714
1,712
)
on 10
gt r 19
llin fte
We ye a
(T
3,000
342-foot extension
1900, First Cascade Tunnel
13,183 feet, 1.695%
#8
Elevation equation
3313.34 W = 3345.76 E
#2
#1
Ca
sc
ad
e
3,600
Loop with wye
Tu
nn
el
#4
on
gt
llin
We
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
3,800
#1
#2A, 2B
1,710
1,708
BNSF true mileposts
1,706
1,704
1,702
Page 42
GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY
CASCADE RANGE, 1900-1929 PROFILE
4,250
4,000
Tu
nn
el
3,750
Ca
sc
ad
e
2,000
1,750
1,250
a
ng
To
1,500
Summits 4,027, 3,350 feet
1893–1900 abandoned switchback surface route
1900–1929 profile using First Cascade Tunnel
First Cascade Tunnel, 2.6 miles
Stations
Major bridges
Snowsheds (1894)
1,000
750
1,735
Skykomish
1,730
1,725
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
1,720
1,715
1,710
1,705 1,700 1,695 1,690
BNSF true mileposts
Tu
mw
ate
Le
r
av
en
wo
rth
2.2% comp;
avg 2.024%
Dr
ur
y
2,250
2.2% comp;
avg 2.065%
Ch
iw
au
ku
m
2,500
Me
rri
Na tt
so
nC
re
Wi
ek
nt
on
o
br a
Em re
Co nic
e
Sc
ike
Sp
st
La
2,750
e
/Ty
on
gt
llin
We
3,000
Be
rn
e
Common point
6.865 miles
Ga
yn
or
3,250
ine
Alp
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
3,500
Tumwater
Dam
Powerhouse
Pesthastin
1,685
1,680
1,675
1,670
1,665
Page 43
GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY
CASCADE RANGE, STEVENS PASS, 1928 CHUMSTICK LINE CHANGE
Winton Tunnel
(4,059 feet, 0.82%)
1928–present Chumstick Line
Abandoned 1893–1928 Tumwater Canyon line
Tunnels
Stations
2.2% comp;
avg 2.151%
1,500
(Ch
um
sti
ck
)
1,750
(Pl
ain
s)
Chumstick Tunnel
(2,601 feet, 1.53%)
1.6 comp; avg 1.544%
Dr
ur
y
Ch
iw
au
ku
m
Wi
nt
on
(ne
w)
1,250
Powerhouse
Le
av
en
wo
rth
Tumwater Dam
Tu
mw
ate
r
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
2,000
Common
point
1.245 miles
Wi
nt
on
(ol
d)
2,250
Leavenworth
1,000
Peshastin
1,690
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
1,685
1,680
BNSF true mileposts
1,675
1,670
Page 44
GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY
CHUMSTICK LINE CHANGE, WINTON AREA
2,200
(W
int
on
)
2,100
Avg 1.409%
Wi
nt
on
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
2,150
2,050
Winton Tunnel
(4,059 feet, 0.82%)
2,000
1,950
1928–present Chumstick Line
Abandoned 1893–1928 Tumwater Canyon line
Tunnels
Stations
1,900
1,850
1,691
1,690
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
1,689
1,688
1,687
1,686
BNSF true mileposts
1,685
1,684
1,683
1,682
Page 45
GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY
STEVENS PASS, WEST SIDE
3,750
#2
#2a, 2b
#3
#5, #6
2,250
1,720
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
Tu
nn
el
#4
Second Cascade Tunnel,
7.79 miles, 1.57%
#7 Tye River bridge
d)
(ol
ic
en
Sc
1,750
1,722
ike
Sp
st
La
2,000
a
re
Co
2,500
Elevation
equation
Be
rn
e
Martin Creek
bridges
#1
First Cascade Tunnel,
overall 2.63 miles, 1.695%
o
br
Em
Martin Creek Tunnel, 1,492 feet
#8
#1
Tunnel #14, 196 feet
2,750
#7
Ca
sc
ad
e
3,000
#6
e
/Ty
on
gt
llin
We
3,250
Summit 2,894 feet
1893–1900 abandoned switchback surface route
1900–1929 abandoned First Cascade Tunnel route
1929–present Second Cascade Tunnel route
Stations
Tunnels
Snowsheds (1894)
Bridges
w)
(ne
ic
en
Sc
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
3,500
#5
1,718
1,716
1,714
1,712
1,710
BNSF true mileposts using first Cascade Tunnel
1,708
1,706
1,704
Page 46
GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY
CASCADE RANGE, STEVENS PASS
4,250
Summits 4,027, 3,350, 2,894 feet
1893–1900 abandoned surface switchback line
1893–1928 abandoned Tumwater Canyon route
1900–1929 abandoned Frst Cascade Tunnel line
1929–present using Second Cascade Tunnel
Stations
Tunnels
4,000
3,750
Common point
6.865 miles
2,250
1,750
1,250
Common point
8.961 miles
e)
pin
(Al
1,500
2.2% comp;
avg 2.069%
1,000
750
1,725
ic
en
Sc
2,000
Skykomish
1,720
Second Cascade
Tunnel, 7.79 miles, 1.57%
Elevation equation
2044.35 W = 2080.7 E
(+0.815 miles)
1,715
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
1,710
Winton Tunnel,
4,059 feet, 0.82%
Chumstick Tunnel,
2,601 feet, 1.53%
Le
av
en
wo
rth
2.2% comp;
avg 2.101%
Ch
um
sti
ck
2,500
(Pl
ain
s)
2,750
Me
rri
t
(Na t
so
nC
Wi
nto reek
)
n
3,000
Be
(Ga rne
yn
or)
3,250
First Cascade Tunnel
overall 2.623 miles,
1.695%
ike
Sp
st
La
a)
ng
(To
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
3,500
Approximate total rise + fall: via surface line
6,081 feet
via 1st Cascade Tunnel 4,590 feet
via 2nd Cascade Tunnel 3,816 feet
1,705
1,700
1,695
1,690
BNSF true mileposts
1,685
1,680
1,675
1,670
1,665
Page 47
GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY
COMPARISON OF MOUNTAIN PASSES
0
Ma
Ca rias
sca 1.8
de %
Tun com
ne p
l 1.5
7%
-500
-750
p
com
2.2%
Marias Pass
Rocky Mountains
Stevens Pass
Cascade Range
-1,000
-1,250
%
1.6
mp
co
-1,500
2.2%
com
p
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
-250
-1,750
-2,000
-2,250
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
West of summit
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
0
Miles
5
10
15
20
25
30
East of summit
Page 48
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
Page 49
CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE, ST. PAUL AND PACIFIC RAILROAD
BELT MOUNTAINS
5,900
th
we
Lo
5,700
n
me
Ha
5,600
Br
un
o
Uncompensated 1.4%
5,500
1% comp;
avg 0.968%
5,400
5,300
ng
gli
Rin
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
5,800
Summit 5,793 feet
Stations
Substations
Lennep
5,200
Constructed 1897 by Montana Railroad
5,100
1,395
Gradient
averages 0.902%
1,390
1,385
Constructed 1900 by Montana Railroad
Approx. total rise + fall: 1,105
1,380
1,375
1,370
Montana Railroad ("Jawbone") deeded to CMSP&P 1910
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
Page 50
CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE, ST. PAUL AND PACIFIC RAILROAD
ROCKY MOUNTAINS, GREAT DIVIDE, PIPESTONE PASS
Blacktail
Tunnel 2
Fish Creek
Tunnel
5,250
Ce
dr
ic
2.00% comp;
avg 1.87%
5,000
Summit 6,347 feet
Stations
Tunnels
Substations
4,750
4,500
Pie
dm
on
t
1.66% comp;
avg 1.505%
(Ve
nd
om
e)
Gr
ac
e
b
om
wc
Ne
5,750
Pipestone
Pass Tunnel
ey
nn
Ja
6,000
Yd
tte
Bu
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
6,250
5,500
eld
nfi
Pe
Blacktail
Tunnel 1
6,500
Do
na
ld
6,750
4,250
4,000
1,525
Approx. total rise + fall: 2,892
1,520
1,515
1,510
1,505
1,500
1,495
1,490
1,485
1,480
Constructed 1908
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
Page 51
CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE, ST. PAUL AND PACIFIC RAILROAD
ROCKY MOUNTAINS, BITTERROOT RANGE, ST. PAUL PASS
d
lan
Ro
4,250
Ea
st
Po
rta
l
4,500
1.70% comp;
avg 1.493%
1.70% comp;
avg 1.534%
Ha
ug
an
3,250
Sa
lte
se
n
lco
Fa
3,500
Br
ys
on
St Paul
Pass Tunnel
air
Ad
3,750
le
Ky
3,000
Summit 4,170 feet
Stations
Tunnels
Substations
n
tso
Ste
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
4,000
2,750
y
er
Av
2,500
1.50% and 1.65% comp;
avg 1.493%
Approx. total rise + fall: 2,794
2,250
1,780
1,775
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
1,770
1,765
1,760
1,755
1,750
Constructed 1909
1,745
1,740
1,735
1,730
Page 52
CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE, ST. PAUL AND PACIFIC RAILROAD
SADDLE MOUNTAINS
2,750
n
to
lys
Bo
1.60% comp;
avg 1.560%
1,500
(R
ye
)
1,750
)
as
tit
Kit
st
as
(Ea
tit
Kit
2.20% comp;
avg 2.186%
1,250
Do
ris
Summit 2,460 feet
Stations
Tunnels
Substations
1,000
750
Be
ve
rly
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
2,250
2,000
Johnson Creek Tunnel #45
(Ch
ev
iot
)
2,500
500
Approx. total rise + fall: 2,774
250
2,060
2,055
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
2,050
2,045
2,040
2,035
Constructed 1908
2,030
2,025
2,020
Page 53
CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE, ST. PAUL AND PACIFIC RAILROAD
CASCADE RANGE, SNOQUALMIE PASS
2,800
Snoqualmie Tunnel
2,000
Tunnel Line
opened Jan 17, 1915
(surface route 1908-1915)
Whittier
Tunnel Easton
Tunnel
Ea
sto
n
a
er
nd
Ba
2,250
(K
ee
ch
elu
s)
(W
hit
tie
r)
2,500
0.70% comp;
avg 0.632%
Hy
ak
)
ale
kd
oc
(R
2,750
1.74% comp;
avg 1.591%
1,750
1,500
Summit 2,564 feet
Stations
Tunnels
Snowsheds
Substations
r)
na
ag
(R
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
0.62% comp;
avg 0.604%
1,250
1,000
Cedar Falls
750
2,140
2,135
Approx. total rise + fall: 2,058
2,130
2,125
2,120
2,115
2,110
2,105
2,100
2,095
1908
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
Page 54
CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE, ST. PAUL AND PACIFIC RAILROAD
COMPARISON OF MOUNTAIN GRADES
0
250
Loweth,
Belt Mountains
ed
sat
pen
com
2.2%
Feet below summit
500
750
1,000
1,250
Snoqualmie Pass,
Cascade Range
St Paul Pass,
Bitterroot Mountains
1,500
1,750
Saddle
Mountains
2,000
2,250
25
20
15
10
5
West of summit
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
0
Miles
5
10
15
Pipestone Pass,
Rocky Mountains
20
25
East of summit
Page 55
Grand Trunk Pacific Railway,
Canadian Northern Railway (CN)
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
Page 56
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY
ROCKY MOUNTAINS, GREAT DIVIDE, YELLOWHEAD PASS
3,750
(D
ec
oig
ne
)
3,650
Ge
ike
am
illi
zw
Fit
–2.2% slope
slo
pe
3,450
pe
slo
-0.4
%
4%
+0.
3,500
+2.2% slope
3,550
Wy
nd
3,600
ok
ro
tB
an
Gr
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
3,700
Yellowhead
e)
rn
ce
(Lu
Legacy Grand Trunk Pacific 1912
Legacy Canadian Northern 1915
Stations
Tunnel, 315 feet
Summit 3,718 feet
Jasper
3,400
3,350
Approx. total rise + fall, Jasper-Grant Brook: 516 feet
40
35
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Page 57
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY
COLUMBIA/THOMPSON RIVERS DRAINAGE DIVIDE, ALBREDA SUMMIT
2,900
Albreda
na
mi
Cle
Ca
no
eR
ive
r
na
mi
Cle
2,700
st
We
1.014%
2,600
Avg 0.579%
2,500
re
rie
mp
Le
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
st
Ea
Canoe River bridge
624 feet
Avg 0.321%
Va
lem
on
t
2,800
Legacy CNo 1915
Stations
Summit 2,866 feet
2,400
2,300
115
110
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
105
100
95
90
85
80
75
70
Page 58
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY
TETE JAUNE CUTOFF, LOWER GRADIENT ROUTE HARVEY TO RED PASS
3,450
Red Pass
14.48 miles
3,350
1,216 feet, plus
attached snowsheds
148 and 288 feet
3,150
Avg 0.924%
3,050
361 feet
rey
Mo
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
3,250
2,950
Avg 0.607%
2,850
2,750
a
rn
ve
Ta
2,550
ey
rv
Ha
2,450
r
ice
Sp bin
Lu
332 feet
2,650
-5
0
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
5
10
Legacy GTP 1912 from Prince Rupert - Higher gradient route
Legacy CNo 1915 from Vancouver - Portion of lower gradient route
Legacy CN 1983 connects GTP and CNo forming lower gradient route
Stations
Tunnels
Snowshed
15
20
25
30
35
40
Page 59
Inter-railroad comparisons
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
Page 60
NORTHERN TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROADS
CROSSINGS OF THE GREAT DIVIDE, ROCKY MOUNTAINS
0
CN, Yellowhead Pass
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
-250
CP
GN, Marias Pass
NP
CP, Kicking
Horse Pass
-500
2.2% compensated
-750
-1,000
-1,250
-1,500
NP, Mullan Pass
-1,750
-2,000
-2,250
-15
MILW, Pipestone Pass
-10
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
-5
0
5
West of summit
Miles
East of summit
10
15
20
25
Page 61
NORTHERN TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROADS
CROSSINGS OF THE CASCADES, SELKIRKS, COLUMBIA-THOMPSON DRAINAGE DIVIDE
MILW, Snoqualamie Pass
0
CN, Albreda Summit
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
-250
-500
NP, Stampede Pass
GN
-750
NP
NP
GN
-1,000
CP
CP
-1,250
CP, Rogers Pass
via Connaught
CP, Rogers Pass
via Macdonald
2.2% compensated
-1,500
GN, Stevens Pass
-1,750
-2,000
-2,250
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
West of summit
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
0
Miles
5
10
15
20
25
30
East of summit
Page 62
NORTHERN TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROADS
ABANDONED SUMMIT LINES, SURFACE ROUTES
Max 4%
0
Max 4%
%
2.2
ma
x4
.0%
2.2
%
co
mp
CP, Selkirk
Mountains,
Rogers Pass
.5%
x3
ma
-500
mp
co
max
5.2%
-250
5.6%
max
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
NP, Belt Mountains, Bozeman Pass
-750
GN, Cascade
Range, Stevens
Pass surface route
NP, Cascade Range,
Stampede Pass
-1,000
-1,250
-8
-6
-4
-2
West of summit
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
0
Miles
2
4
6
8
10
East of summit
Page 63
NORTHERN TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROADS
ABANDONED SUMMIT LINES, SURFACE ROUTES AND FIRST CASCADE TUNNEL ROUTE
0
NP, Belt Mountains, Bozeman Pass
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
-250
CP, Selkirk Mountains,
Rogers Pass
GN, Cascade Range,
Stevens Pass surface route
-500
-750
NP, Cascade Range,
Stampede Pass
-1,000
-1,250
-1,500
2.2
%
com
p
GN, Stevens Pass,
first Cascade Tunnel
approaches
-1,750
%
2.2
mp
o
c
-2,000
-2,250
-16
-14
-12
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
West of summit
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
0
Miles
2
4
6
8
10
East of summit
Page 64
B&O 17-MILE GRADE VS. NP MULLAN PASS
2.2% AVERAGE VS. 2.2% COMPENSATED
NP Mullan Pass east slope, 2.2% compensated
B&O 17-Mile Grade
B&O 11-mile segment averaging 2.2%
Stations
Elevation (feet per railroad records)
-250
-500
-750
-1,000
-1,250
-1,500
Helena
-1,750
-2,000
Piedmont
0
Miles
5
10
15
20
East of summit
Northern Transcontinental Railroad Mountain Passes
Page 65