When I got to Spokane in 1967 there was a building that intrigued me as it was called UP Tower. It was located on the Northern Pacific line in East Spokane and it allowed Union Pacific trains (Spokane International) to cross their sacred territory since they were there first. Spokane was loaded with rails everywhere in the downtown area back then.
A Union Pacific caboose ( SIRR ) gets ready to pick up orders from the tower operator at this location. The track board is on the second floor. Back in those days they allowed rail fans to visit them but those days are long gone. So is the tower.
I thought this was interesting as the main line for UP/SI passes under Sullivan Road in the Spokane Valley and uses wood ties. The siding has concrete ties. The reason was that the siding belongs to CXT Concrete Tie Plant and they did it with their own product, hence the logic being backwards. I must have too much time on my hands to do this stuff.
Sadly Interlocking Tower-not use anymore so cabooses don't used anymore.
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