Archives West Finding Aid

The Columbia River Paper Co. tramway known as the Camas and Tacoma Railroad, and the Camas Tramway, continued operated for more than 99 years, until it was finally replaced at the end of February 1982. It first operated with rolling stock July 26, 1913 after purchasing several 24 ft. 40,000 lb. capacity flatcars from the Seattle : Car and Foundry Co. of Renton, Washington, and would continue with that car design for the next seventy years. Although originally established as a horse and mule-drawn tramway on narrow gauge by owners Henry Pittock, J. K. Gill and W. F. Ladd, with Don H. Stearns as the manager. The first electric locomotive was purchased from Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1907, and overhead wires installed which would continue operating until the line was decommissioned in 1982. Railway cars were demarcated in red for the short 24 foot original style sizing, and others marked in green and yellow depending on the size, and although exact track mileage remained elusive after the end of operations, and removal of rails, company documents suggest it extended as far as eight miles.

Donald Elwin Abrahamsen (1929-2007) was a Korean War Veteran, railroad enthusiast, and longtime Director of Logistics and Planning at the Camas Paper Mill.