Ilwaco Railway & Navigation Co. by Mark Clemmens for Whidbey Clinic of 4DPNR 10 March 2021

The March 2021 Skagit Valley and Whidbey Island Clinic was “The Railway that Ran by the Tides” a history of the narrow gauge Ilwaco Railway and Navigation Co. presented by Oysterville resident and railroad enthusiast/modeler Mark Clemmens. The IR&N was a 36” gauge railroad that ran along what is now called the Long Beach Peninsula from the mouth of the Columbia River to the northern terminus at Nahcotta from 1888 to 1930. It was the longest lasting narrow gauge railroad in Washington and one of the most unique lines in the nation at the time. This special presentation features a number of breathtaking historical photos and information about this early narrow gage railroad, often admired by some of the local 0n30 modelers. Mark's presentation took place at the March 10th virtual meeting of the Skagit Valley & Whidbey NMRA Clinic of the Fourth Division of the Pacific Northwest Region (www.4DPNR.com) of the National Model Railroad Association (www.NMRA.org). It was recorded on Zoom. The meeting was chaired by Rich Blake, and the recording edited by Burr Stewart.