Alan Sewell’s visit to Millennium Bulk Terminals…

This time Alan takes us across the pond to the Pacific North-west and a trip to a bulk handling facility in Longview, Washington. These images yet again stir the soul and inspire thoughts of 'wouldn't this be a great model'. Of course, it was my own Beaverbrook that inspired Alan to dig these out for us this time...

45-ton drop cab   c/n 27591 built May 1944, Millennium Bulk Terminals, Longview, August 2015. Alan Sewell photo.

Millennium Bulk Terminals 
Longview, LLC


Longview, WA 98632, USA

Gauge: Standard

Date of Visit   31 August 2015 

Millennium are developing a bulk materials terminal on the Columbia river just west of the Weyerhaeuser mill. This is on the site of a 1940’s aluminium smelter and is at the western end of the Longview Switching company tracks which serve the site.

At present coal and bulk alumina are handled arriving by rail for export but imports are expected, as well as increased tonnage of export coal.

To work this MBT have three locos all ex US Defense Dept.  General Electric centre cab industrial units.

• 80-ton  65-00358 c/n 31832 built April 1953   ( ex-Navy Seal Beach CA )
• 80-ton  65-00360 c/n 31834 built April 1953   ( ex-Navy Seal Beach CA )
• 45-ton drop cab   c/n 27591 built May 1944    ( Corp. of Engineers The Dalles OR). It is one of the units built for use in Europe during WWII

65-00358 was at work hauling loaded coal cars through the dumper and then setting out empty cars. Coal is either moved directly to waiting ships or stored on site. 

The 45-ton unit was in use but awaiting final unloading of bulk alumina before starting switching later.

65-00360 was spare on a spur to east of main site buildings.

All three locos are still in original livery but perform well.

45-ton drop cab   c/n 27591 built May 1944 working at Millennium Bulk Terminals, Longview, August 2015. Alan Sewell photo.

80-ton  65-00360 c/n 31834 built April 1953, sat spare on visit to Millennium Bulk Terminals, Longview, August 2015. Alan Sewell photo.

80-ton  65-00358 c/n 31832 built April 1953 working at Millennium Bulk Terminals, Longview, August 2015. Alan Sewell photo.

Thanks again Alan for digging into your archive and sharing these with us all, they are a window into a world of travel and curiosity with industrial standard and narrow gauge operations across the world. Until next time though, more soon...