WARail | Washington Railblog

Opinion Piece on Rail Service in Central Puget Sound

2008-05-15T07:14:00.000-07:00

Think it's new and modern to concoct huge over-arching transportation plans for the Central Puget Sound? Think again. Ross Anderson wrote this Opinion Piece on rail transit in Seattle; aside from discussing Seattle's streetcar future, he also reminds us that the region has a long history of "forward-thinking consultants" and lavishly grand schemes to advance the lifestyle of King County. Think transit tunnel under Lake Washington, huge civic centers, and all of Mercer Island turned into a city park....in 1912.

There is also a long history of people voting down those plans, and ultimately choosing the cheapest alternative available at the time. So in a way the message is "we want mobility now, but we don't want to pay for it."

Thieves Try to Recycle Old Rails

2008-05-15T06:24:00.000-07:00

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The lowest of the low recycle what doesn't belong to them. These people stole rail from Humptulips and tried to recycle it in Hoquiam. I'm thinking that any potential profit from this theft would have been eaten up by the fuel necessary to move the contriband steel. A person with no decency might go so far as to call them Scumbags or Donkey Clowns.

Thankfully I'm a decent guy.

Seattle Streetcar Advocates Promoting More Lines

2008-05-14T07:31:00.000-07:00

As mentioned yesterday, Seattle City Council heard reports from transportation officials about the pros, cons, and costs of street cars and electric buses.

Today the news reports that Seattle Streetcar Alliance is ready to promote the addition of more lines throughout the city. Not surprisingly, the routes mimic the lines that Seattle had prior to World War 2. It just goes to show the city was onto a good thing back then. Could be a good thing once again given enough support and funding, which the SSA is looking for now.

Lander Street Separation Project

2008-05-14T06:02:00.000-07:00

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Look for this SODO project in the future, sending vehicle traffic above the BNSF mainline instead of through it. Currently the project ranks #22 in the 69 prioritized projects ahead of the Seattle Dept of Transportation, so it's not high on the list. Reasons include a vast funding gap for the estimated $155 million project. But when completed, it will create more movement east to west through this heavily industrial part of the city.

Here's a 27MB Powerpoint download from the 5/12/2008 Seattle City Council meeting that outlines the projects:

http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/docs/download/4-1-08%20Major%20Projects%20Funding%20FINAL%20projection.ppt

Port of Seattle OKs Eastside trail deal

2008-05-13T08:03:00.000-07:00

Agreement between Port of Seattle and BNSF has finally been signed for the Woodinville Subdivision. BNSF is choosing a short line operator for the customers still on the line, and advocacy groups are now jockeying for position as right-of-way uses by people and trains are proposed for the future. One group wants "further study" on the line's use; that group is made up of people who own property butting up against - or near to - the tracks in Kirkland. "Further Study" in advocacy speak means "We don't want trains in our back yard," or "I bought this property assuming the trains would no longer run someday."

We saw plenty of that when King County was struggling to put in a rail trail along the east shore of Lake Sammamish. Some of the property owners - once BNSF pulled the tracks - went so far as to fence across the right of way and keep the trail in court for years, under the assumption that the right of way would revert to private ownership once the line was no longer used. When that didn't happen, the fight got messy. Eventually King County won out and now the most level route between Redmond and Issaquah can be ridden by bicycle, in the shadow of the Northern Pacific.

As always, we're watching this situation closely. It's a pivotal event for the Eastside, and will have impact on the region's ability to move in, out, and around the east part of King County

Seattle Weighs Streetcars vs. Trolley Buses

2008-05-13T04:19:00.000-07:00

Funny to think that for the future of Seattle surface transportation, technology with roots in the late 1800s is being compared to technology that is not much younger. Streetcars and Electric Trolley buses were in a shootout last night at the city council meeting after the city's department of transportation presented reports on which parts of Seattle would be best served by either one.

Up front, the costs for electric buses are lower, but the report stated that the system doesn't last as long as a streetcar system or light rail line - which both cost more per mile. Then there's the thing that nobody wants to mention here, because it's a heartstring argument: data indicates streetcars bring in ridership better than buses, even if the overall costs are higher.

Big Red Train - New Shirt for Little Train Lovers

2008-05-11T22:14:00.001-07:00

The recent F7 Post got me thinking about creating another design for TrainShirts.net. The Big Red Train is a basic stylized streamliner, done in primary colors and portraying one of the most famous types of trains in American history. It's available in kid and adult sizes, on quality products!

Check out this and all the other designs when you have a chance!

The Secret of SODO

2008-05-11T05:45:00.000-07:00

Most every railfan can understand the thrill of finding a perfect spot to watch trains do their thing. Seattle's SODO ("South Of Downtown") district is one such place that lies humbly due south of the Safeco and Qwest Fields. This mostly industrial heart of Seattle is usually known by the sports teams that play in the stadiums to the north, but SODO also harbors a secret that brings smiles to railfans young and old. Like trains? You'll find them here in a big way. There's a busy multi-track mainline running north/south through the center, commuter rail tracks running nearby, and a busy international switching yard for BNSF. Add some of the common regional cloud cover to the Seattle skyline to the north, and you have a railfanning experience that is unique to Washington.

Railfanning in an urban environment is a far cry from the leafy snowy scenes of many railfan photos we see on the Internet. But urban railfanning has its own character. It's gritty, showing trains in a true light because they themselves are gritty. Because of its closeness to our home, SODO is a favorite destination for me and my sons - day or night. Photo opportunities are everywhere. Parking is easy to find unless it's "Game Day." SODO is flat, so even walking or bicycling the area is easy. The trains run often enough that visitors are treated to at least one double-stack unit train, or if timed right the Amtrak Coast Starlight. There are "garbage trains," mixed freight trains, commuters, passenger trains, engines running without cars from one yard to another, and even scrap metal trains. Switching work along the mainline and in other areas occurs almost 24/7. If you don't see a train when you get there, find some coffee (Starbucks World HQ is in SODO, and has a store just to the north on 1st Ave) and wait another 1/2 hour. The variety will keep any camera happy.

Finding SODO is easy; take the 4th Avenue exit of either I-5 or I-90 and turn right (south). Once you cross Royal Brougham Way, you're there. The busy BNSF Mainline runs parallel with 4th Avenue S and 1st Avenue S down the length of the area before entering a large freight yard south of Spokane Street. It also runs - literally - underneath Safeco Field's eastern end, and provides another unique experience: federally mandated crossing blasts from trains during Mariners games. A few years back the media tried to get BNSF to stop blowing the horns during the All-Star game "because it would ruin the broadcast." They were laughed out of the meetings. Since then it has come to be an expected and welcome part of a Mariners game, much like the Green Monster is to Boston.

Four major streets in SODO cross the Mainline: Holgate, Lander, Horton, and Spokane. Holgate and Lander both offer close public parking that will allow a railfan to troll the area with a camera. In fact, there is a Krispy Kreme at the corner of 1st and Holgate within ear shot of the mainline. Horton is a true gritty industrial street; parking is minimal but walking the area can often find a hidden road switcher or two. Spokane Street runs underneath the Spokane St Viaduct towards West Seattle; parking areas there are more congested, and making a left turn anywhere near the viaduct is difficult unless you know the backroads.

The BNSF International Gateway Yard was once called "Stacy Yard" and named for a street that doesn't intersect with it; this is a bustling place filled with switchers, trucks, and railcars of all types. Once owned by the mighty Northern Pacific and used extensively by the Milwaukee Road, the yard is home to some of BNSF's big new orange loading cranes - seen easily from 1st Avenue S. One of the most interesting things I've seen there, parked right along Colorado Avenue, was a trio of locomotives from the Alaska Railroad awaiting their boat ride back to the North. They were close enough to touch (of course that wouldn't be a good idea). A drive down Colorado can look different every day; sometimes the yard is entirely clear while other days it's so full a person can't see anything from the road. On the north end of the yard (Atlantic Street), switch engines use a track that runs directly underneath the Alaskan Way Viaduct to move their cars around. Parking nearby allows you to get out and get close to the action. Guaranteed dry railfanning in the winter time, thanks to the viaduct!

So if you're looking for a different railfan experience that doesn't include trees (unless those trees are bare and strung with wires), SODO can offer some uncharacteristic sites and sounds. Getting the true feeling for what goes on there takes several trips, or one really long one. But once you visit, it's sure to be a secret you'll share with all of your friends!

Photo Highlight - EMD F7A

2008-05-09T12:04:00.000-07:00

To this day EMD F-Units remain as some of my favorite engines of all time. The fact that they continue to show up in the modern day is a testament not only to their strength but also to their popular shape.

Today's Photo Highlight comes from Renton, once the Land Of F7s when the Spirit Of Washington Dinner Train ran in this area. Unit 82 - sister 84 - were part of Maryland Transit System before their arrival in Washington.

Great Northern SDP40 - Then and Now

2008-05-08T14:20:00.000-07:00

A rarity even when built, EMD's SDP40 totaled only 20 units when production ceased in 1970. The main difference that set them apart was a steam generator added to each unit for passenger train use. Other than that, they were pure 60s Diesel goodness. Kevin Piper took the above photo of Burlington Northern 9855 at Cicero IL in 1972; this was one of six built for the Great Northern as #325. That same unit, now known as BNSF 6327 and seen below in a photo taken by Aaron B. Hockley, was still in service as of 2003 in Vancouver WA.

In January 2008, 6327 was seen in this photo by Steve Welch pulling freight in California:

That means this unit has been riding the rails for four decades. It's entirely possible that some of the crews that operate this engine are younger than that.

Talk about longevity and recycling!

Thanks to these three guys for establishing our timeline on a rare unit! Be sure to check out more railfan photos from the trio.

Kevin's photos are HERE
Aaron's photos are HERE
Steve's photos are HERE

Sound Transit Parking a Headache for Puyallup

2008-05-08T10:19:00.000-07:00

Commuters try to do the right thing, by parking their car and taking the train to jobs in Seattle. But the cars left behind - especially in Puyallup - take up parking spaces that the city's Main Street Association say are vital to downtown growth and commerce. The city wants to end Sound Transit's lease on several of the spaces, and give them back to use for downtown activities. But this will cause strain for those who are driving into town to take the train. It's a neverending quagmire. The issue repeats itself in Sumner and Auburn too, where hundreds of people leave their cars and hit the rails.

Since parking is static, the first thought for many is a parking garage for the downtown area to handle the cars. Problem is, Puyallup doesn't want them. Hopefully the city and Sound Transit can come to some understanding because that would be quite an impasse if parking garages aren't an option to handle the ever-increasing commuters. With gas prices the way they are, parking will become even more of an issue as the year goes on.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/353103.html

Man talking on cellphone killed by train in Auburn

2008-05-07T13:26:00.000-07:00

Another sad story from the Valley, after a girl in Kent also died the same way. If there is a lesson more important than safe motorcycle riding that you can teach your kids, it's to stay off the tracks.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004398403_webtrain07m.html

King County OKs Eastside Trail + Rail

2008-05-07T12:38:00.000-07:00

Excellent news. The Eastside is now that much closer to keeping this line intact!

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/361859_trail06.html

Down at The Pencil Yard

2008-05-07T11:22:00.000-07:00

Steve Carter shot this photo at the new Light Rail yard next to Alaskan Way in Seattle. I call it The Pencil Yard because of the tall dangerous looking poles that pepper the property. This shot was taken at night, which gives is an otherwordly lighting perspective.

Look for more of Steve's great pictures HERE.

New 3-Mile Bypass Planned for Kalama

2008-05-01T14:40:00.001-07:00

Like any other major project in this state, bypassing the congestion at Kalama's port on the Columbia has been a issue put on hold for lack of funds. But port authorities have come up with a smaller trimmer plan to create a 3-mile bypass, which is much shorter and cheaper than the original 18-mile line.

Sound Transit's New Mukilteo Station Underway

2008-04-30T07:29:00.000-07:00

http://www.soundtransit.org/x1889.xml

Ground has broken and the big machines have been called in. The long-awaited Mukilteo stop for Sound Transit is under construction and headed for a successful future. Considering its proximity to the ferry dock for the Clinton run, and all the traffic that comes off Whidbey Island in the morning, this stop has the potential for being one of the busiest and most convenient for island commuters.

Sound Transit Wants Feedback

2008-04-29T07:20:00.000-07:00

Sound Transit will be looking for public feedback in June and July, on what plans they should use for the future of light rail in the region. Topics include potential expansion and funding.

High on my list would be the opportunity for passenger rail on the Eastside using the soon-to-be-former Woodinville Subdivision.

Kent teen who died apparently didn't hear sound of oncoming train

2008-04-26T00:03:00.000-07:00

Follow up from my earlier post on the same tragedy.

As mentioned by the BNSF spokesman in this article, "...expect movement of a train on any track at any time in any direction." A very sad story about the dangers of inattentive behavior.

Local News | Kent teen who died apparently didn't hear sound of oncoming train | Seattle Times Newspaper

Tacoma Editorial about Light Rail

2008-04-24T10:01:00.000-07:00

It took this pointy editorial for me to recall that we as a region hatched this dream of light rail in 1996. Wow. Before Nintendo 64. Before Columbine. Before 9/11. It feels like a lifetime since we voted in the Puget Sound for Light Rail.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/story/318324.html

Columbia Basin Herald

2008-04-24T10:00:00.000-07:00

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In this article Columbia Basin Herald writes about the ongoing Moses Lake project that will link the airport to BNSF. Everyone has been pushing to fund this one, because it involves a very big airport and and region full of opportunity.

New Amtrak Stop in Stanwood

2008-04-24T08:45:00.000-07:00

Stanwood will be getting a new Amtrak stop in 2009, thanks to a state-funded project that will allow the trains to stop there for the first time in decades. With the area fast becoming a bedroom community for Everett and even Seattle, it's not surprising and very very welcome on two points. First, the region gets for train service. Second, the high speeds at which Amtrak runs through the town may now be cut out because trains will actually stopping there instead. The corner on which the platform will be located is where some folks have crossed and gotten hit.

Federal Way Weighs In on Light Rail

2008-04-23T10:15:00.000-07:00

After Proposition 1 failed with voters last Fall, Sound Transit was forced to go back and redraw their vision for light rail. The proposals they have written up so far have any trains coming south out of Sea-Tac to dip down into the Kent Valley before heading to Tacoma.

This bypasses Federal Way entirely, and they're not too happy about that.

I can see why. As I've mentioned before, Federal Way is highly populated and grossly overloaded with vehicle congestion. If there ever were a suburb that could be considered poster child for mass transit, FW would be a start. The city needs it more than many surrounding it.

Girl, 17, killed by Amtrak train in Kent

2008-04-22T11:44:00.000-07:00

Very very tragic. This story should never have been written, but sadly people die on tracks each day. The article described her crossing point as "200 yards north of James St" which would be Cloudy St. There is no road across the mainline there, which means no signs or protection. The tracks are a dangerous place.

My thoughts and prayers go out to her family today.

FP9 on The Palouse

2008-04-22T05:47:00.000-07:00

Fellow Coug Mike Bjork has captured yet another great scene in his one-man battle to bring rail notoriety to The Palouse! On April 19th he captured this pair - an FP9 plus bonus GP30 - hauling revenue cars through the region. One might think this was taken in 1968, rather than 2008.

These are quiet, lonely, rolling hills which hold their own kind of beauty. I miss this region very much, and am thankful that Mike - plus my niece Emily - can experience Whitman County as I did two decades ago.

Nice work Mike!

The Secret Power of Light Rail

2008-04-20T06:18:00.000-07:00

Redevelopment along Seattle's Martin Luther King Way has begun a full year in advance of the new light rail line that will be running up the valley. This area is in dire need of I would consider the "Secret Power of Light Rail" - the ability to take a tired neighborhood and stimulate it into the 21st Century. Ironically 60 years ago a light rail / interurban system was considered "outdated." Buses were the way. Leapfrog to 2008; you want to ride a Metro bus up MLK? No thanks...

Opponents to this line - and the money spent on light rail through the valley - don't understand this point. Thing is, developers do understand this point and are willing to pour money into the area because of this vision.