Northern Pacific's Lookout Pass Line
A Brief History
The rail line over the Lookout Pass was built by the Northern Pacific Rail Road and reached Mullan, Id in 1889. At first the rail line connected Mullan, Id with 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 changes 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, Highway 10 was constructed on 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 sidings at Saltese and Taft, Mt were removed, the railroad retaining only 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 rail traffic over the Lookout Pass Line declined continuously. All rail traffic in St. Regis River valley was discontinued at the beginning of the 80's and the Lookout Pass Line along with the Milwaukee Road transcontinental rail line have since been dismantled.
