when was the great northern railroad completed?
Great Northern Railway 1893-1925 The first route over the pass was a series of switchbacks, with grades of up to 4 % on the West side and 3.5% on East side, was completed on January 6, 1893 (see photos below). To traverse a switchback the train has to travel to the end of the dead end spur, then the switch is thrown and engine reverses