The Gilmore and Pittsburgh Railroad was a narrow-gauge railway that operated in the states of Idaho and Montana in the United States. The railroad was built to transport gold, silver, and lead ore from the mines in the Gilmore and Pittsburgh mining districts to the railroad junction at Armstead, Montana, which is was then shipped to the smelters and mills. The construction of the railroad began in 1899 and was completed in 1904. The railroad played a crucial role in the economic development of the region, and its history is an important part of the mining history of the western United States.

The Gilmore and Pittsburgh Railroad was built by the Gilmore and Pittsburgh Mining Company, which was founded by a group of investors in the late 1890s. The company owned several mines in the Gilmore and Pittsburgh mining districts, which were located in the central part of Idaho, near the Montana border. The mines produced gold, silver, and lead, which were in high demand due to the booming economy of the early 20th century. However, the transportation of the ore from the mines to the mills and smelters was a difficult and costly process, as the roads in the region were primitive and often impassable.

To solve this problem, the Gilmore and Pittsburgh Mining Company decided to build a railroad to transport the ore from the mines to the mills and smelters. The construction of the railroad began in 1909, and it was completed in 1910. The railroad had a total length of 118 miles and was built as a narrow-gauge railway with a track width of 4′ 8″. The construction of the railroad was a difficult and challenging process, as the terrain in the region was rugged and mountainous.

The Gilmore and Pittsburgh Railroad had several features that made it unique among the narrow-gauge railways of its time. The railroad had a steep grade of 4%, which meant that the trains had to be pulled up the mountain slopes by powerful locomotives. The railroad also had several sharp curves and switchbacks, which required skilled engineers and train crews to operate the trains safely.

Despite these challenges, the Gilmore and Pittsburgh Railroad proved to be a successful and profitable enterprise. The railroad transported thousands of tons of ore from the mines to the mills and smelters each year, and it played a crucial role in the economic development of the region. The railroad also had a significant impact on the lives of the people who lived and worked in the region. The railroad provided employment opportunities for hundreds of people, and it helped to create new towns and communities along its route.

Who started the railroad?

W. A. McCutcheon, the founder of the Gilmore and Pittsburgh Railroad, was a prominent mining engineer and entrepreneur in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. McCutcheon was born in Iowa in 1855 and grew up in Missouri. He attended college in Missouri and worked as a mining engineer in Colorado and Wyoming before moving to Idaho in 1892.

In Idaho, McCutcheon worked as a mining engineer for several companies and became involved in the development of several mining districts, including the Gilmore and Pittsburgh districts. He recognized the need for a reliable transportation link to bring ore out of the remote region, and in 1909, he formed the Gilmore and Pittsburgh Railroad Company to address this need.

Under McCutcheon’s leadership, the Gilmore and Pittsburgh Railroad was built over a period of several years, using innovative engineering techniques and a dedicated workforce. The railroad played a crucial role in the economic development of the region, providing a reliable transportation link for the ores produced by the mines in the Gilmore and Pittsburgh districts. McCutcheon also became involved in other business ventures in the region, including banking and real estate development.

McCutcheon was known for his entrepreneurial spirit and his innovative approach to business. He was a pioneer in the development of the mining industry in Idaho and Montana and played a significant role in the economic development of the region. He was also active in civic affairs and served as mayor of Salmon, Idaho, for several years.

McCutcheon died in 1930, at the age of 75. His legacy continues to be felt in the region, particularly through the Gilmore and Pittsburgh Railroad, which remains an important part of the area’s history. McCutcheon’s entrepreneurial spirit and innovative approach to business continue to inspire business leaders and entrepreneurs today.

The Decline Of The Railroad

The Gilmore and Pittsburgh Railroad, which played a crucial role in the transportation of ores in the Gilmore and Pittsburgh mining districts in Idaho and Montana, faced a significant decline in the early 20th century. The railroad, which had once been a thriving enterprise, faced several challenges that ultimately led to its demise.

The decline of the Gilmore and Pittsburgh Railroad can be traced back to the early 1900s, when the mines in the region began to experience a decline in productivity. This decline was due to a variety of factors, including exhausted ore bodies, falling metal prices, and labor strikes. As a result, the demand for transportation services provided by the railroad began to decline.

Despite these challenges, the Gilmore and Pittsburgh Railroad continued to operate, although at a reduced capacity. In the 1920s, the railroad faced another significant challenge when it was damaged by a severe flood. The flood caused significant damage to the tracks and bridges, and it took several years and a significant investment to repair the damage.

The railroad faced additional financial difficulties in the 1930s, as the Great Depression caused a significant decline in the demand for transportation services. Many of the mines in the region were forced to shut down, and the railroad struggled to maintain operations. The railroad company tried to remain competitive by reducing expenses, but these efforts were not enough to save the struggling enterprise.

In 1940, the decision was made to dismantle the railroad. The tracks were torn up, and the materials were sold to recover some of the company’s losses. The dismantling of the railroad had a significant impact on the region, as it eliminated a key transportation link for the mines in the area. It also had broader economic consequences, as it eliminated jobs and reduced opportunities for development in the region.

The decline of the Gilmore and Pittsburgh Railroad serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by railroads in the early 20th century. The railroad, which had once been a vital part of the region’s economy, was unable to adapt to changing circumstances and ultimately succumbed to economic pressures. The decline of the railroad had a significant impact on the region, and its legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of transportation infrastructure in promoting economic development.

In conclusion, the decline of the Gilmore and Pittsburgh Railroad can be traced back to a variety of factors, including declining demand for ores, financial difficulties, and other challenges. Despite efforts to remain competitive, the railroad was ultimately unable to sustain operations and was dismantled in 1940. The decline of the railroad had a significant impact on the region, eliminating a key transportation link and reducing opportunities for development. The legacy of the Gilmore and Pittsburgh Railroad serves as a reminder of the importance of transportation infrastructure in promoting economic development, and the challenges faced by railroads in the early 20th century.