About SideTracked Caches
This cache belongs to the SideTracked series. It is not designed to take you to a magical place with a breathtaking view. It's a distraction for the weary traveler, but anyone else can go and find it too. More Information can be found at the SideTracked Website
This cache also qualifies for the Disappearing RR Blues bonus cache. This series highlights the railways of NW Oregon
About McCoy Railroad History
McCoy, Oregon, is named after landowner Issac McCoy. The post office opened in 1879 and closed in 1968. The Railroad through the town opened in 1880 by the Western Oregon Railroad Company, which was owned by the Oregon & California Railroad. The O&C eventually became part of the Southern Pacific.
In the early 1900s-1910s, the SP felt threatened by the Oregon Electric Railway. The OE was building an electrified interurban railway linking Portland to Eugene. The OE was fully completed by 1912. To compete, the SP made plans to electrify their rail line through the valley. They decided on the lines west and south of Portland. The SP only electrified their lines from Portland to McMinnville, one via Forest Grove and one line through Newberg. Then from McMinnville, down the westside mainline to Corvallis. Electrification was completed in 1916. Due to the interurban trains used on the SP being painted red, the railway was quickly dubbed the Red Electric.
Electric Railways need power substations along the line to convert high-voltage long-distance lines to the voltage needed on the overhead to operate the trains. Red Electric chose an operating voltage of 1500V outside of cities (Portland limited voltage to 600V). There were several substations built for the Red Electrics. There were well-built concrete structures. A few of the Red Electric substations still exist, similar to the Oregon Electric substations (which also have geocaches). The remaining Red Electric substations are Oswego (Now highly modified condos in Lake Oswego), Dundee, and this one located in McCoy.
Please do not trespass to see the substation, but it can be seen between the road and the railroad tracks in what seems to be a railroad maintenance/scrap yard (a few years ago, it was surrounded by blackberry brambles.
The cache is across the street. Careful; you may need to cross a ditch full of water. Good luck.