During the winter of 1892-1893, workers extended the Great Northern Railway tracks through Stevens Pass in the Cascade Mountains. Construction work continued even in heavy snow. This photo, taken by Anders Wilse during the winter of 1892-1893, shows a switchback west of the summit at Stevens Pass. A switchback is a sharp s-curve of tracks, usually used to zigzag up (or down) a steep slope. The structure near the upper track (center left) is a water tower which supplied water to the locomotives.

Title on photo: Great Northern switchback, west side, Cascade Range Wash.

• Subjects (LCTGM): Railroad construction & maintenance; Great Northern Railway Company (U.S.) ; Railroad tracks; Mountains; Snow; Great Northern Railway Company (U.S.)