Thieves Try to Recycle Old Rails

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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.

New 3-Mile Bypass Planned for Kalama

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.

New Amtrak Stop in Stanwood

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

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.

Seattle, Lake Shore, and Eastern - Today in 1885

History is a big thing for me. Today in 1885, according to HistoryLink, the Seattle, Lake Shore, and Eastern Railroad Company was incorporated by local businessmen. It was a planned route running from Seattle, past Lake Washington, up to Sumas. Another route was built out to Snoqualmie, as part of the railroad's original plan to extend into Eastern WA. In fact the SL&E was an integral part of the Woodinville Subdivision, mentioned in today's previous post!

SL&E would eventually become part of the Northern Pacific.

Tracks to remain on trail-rail corridor

Seattle P-I reports today that plans for the Woodinville Subdivision are to allow tracks to remain on corridor for the foreseeable future. In the article, County Executive Ron Sims announces that he is committed to seeing this Eastside corridor used for rails and trails. I like what I hear; been disappointed a few times in the past when I've read one thing and seen another, but overall this calms my concerns about some future aspects of this undervalued line.

Consider this: BNSF considers the trackage itself "scrap" because of its condition, but what the rails lack in transit value they make up for in political value. They are a symbol - while still in the ground - that the new owners are committed to using this line for what it's made for - moving freight and possibly people - just as it has for a century. It's a stance that bodes well with transportation advocates of all kinds, and keeps the politicians in their good graces.

To top it off, the Dinner Train still has another chance to run! This time the proposed route takes it from Snohomish south to Woodinville. No comment from the Temple Family in this article, but hopefully they're keeping those sweet old FP7s greased up and ready. But that's another story, because the Columbia Winery is moving. So where could the Dinner Train take its clientèle? Well, with tracks in the ground all the way down to Redmond, I could imagine Redmond Town Center or Willows Run Golf Course as potential destinations.

There's more to come on this story I'm sure!

Woodinville Sub Update

While some of the plan runs slightly counter to the plan to run commuter trains from Snohomish to Bellevue, the purchase of the Woodinville Subdivision is on its way. Right-of-way south of Woodinville - according to this article - would be rail-banked. Personally I would hate seeing any track pulled out of the ground on this property, because getting it back will be nothing short of a bloody legal battle after people have grown accustomed to not having it around. So hopefully it will be left in place.

Battling Rail Congestion in Kalama

The Daily News Online - Easing rail congestion still on track?

The Port of Kalama is still part of a rail upgrade plan, although the start date is still five years out. Money is scarce for these types of improvement, so fighting for the funds can get messy.

The above article outlines the plan and some of the struggle.

Stanwood man hit by train seriously injured

I can't say it often enough...if you have no business being on the tracks, please stay off!

Stanwood man hit by train seriously injured

Plan to Connect Portland MAX with Vancouver WA

Plans for a light-railline to Clark County are getting more tangible, with a proposal to extend an existing MAX route over the Columbia River and into downtown Vancouver. Amazingly, the money for this conservative proposed plan is already available, and Clark County is very receptive to the idea of having a light-rail connection.

Rail Corridor Deal Gets Small Delay

From the Seattle Times this morning:

Rail-corridor deal is delayed a bit
Port of Seattle officials now expect to sign a final deal sometime next month to buy the Renton-to-Snohomish rail corridor from BNSF Railway, a Port spokeswoman said Friday.
The two sides had been expected to complete negotiations by Monday, the day that King County's exclusive right to negotiate with the railroad was set to expire. The Port took over the county's position as the prospective buyer under a preliminary agreement with BNSF and the county.
Port spokeswoman Charla Skaggs aid officials anticipate signing a purchase and sale agreement next month, with the deal closing several months later. BNSF had agreed to sell the 42-mile line to the Port for $103 million, but the price may be adjusted if the railroad leaves all the tracks in place for possible future passenger rail service.

MILW Trestle Getting New Deck for Trail

Peninsula Daily News recently reported that an old railroad trestle will get new life as Discovery Trail link. Volunteers from the Peninsula Trail Coalition will deck the near 100-year old structure with concrete and add to the constantly expanding trail that is built on portions of what used to be The Milwaukee Road's 14th Subdivision.

I rode portions of this old right-of-way back in the 90s on a bicycle. It's a shame that no trains run out that way anymore, because a ride up the Olympic Peninsula would be beautiful. Thankfully the Peninsula Train Coalition is accomplishing the next best thing by restoring much of the right-of-way to pedestrian and bicycle use.

New Track: Chehalis To Blakeslee

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It's not every day that you hear of a railroad actually adding tracks in this State. This project essentially ties three railroads to together, in an effort to reduce congestion in the rail traffic coming out of Grays Harbor County on the Puget Sound and Pacific Railroad. BNSF and Tacoma Rail are also named in this project.

Northwest Railway Museum in Win-Win Land Deal

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The Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie has long been know as an advocate for railroad history and preservation. That task will become easier in the future, now that they have swapped a four-acre parcel near a county-owned park for a four-acre parcel right next door to their newly-built Conservation & Restoration Center.

Essentially this was a win-win for everyone involved.

One of the great things this does is it will move much of the Museum's stored equipment indoors out of the elements. This includes the Union Pacific 529 2-8-0 Baldwin steam engine, a Milwaukee Road box car, a Shay locomotive, and countless other examples of rolling stock. In a double-speaking little nugget of commentary, Snoqualmie's mayor Matt Larson says the move "will substantially change downtown Snoqualmie."

"Getting the trains indoors will keep them from deteriorating further."

Indeed, this is true. This statement also appears to be short hand for "I like trains, but some of our residents think they're an eyesore and hate looking at them every day." The Northwest Railway Museum started in 1957, years before many who have mounted land-use battles with them were even born. Young transplants to the sprawling Snoqualmie Ridge subdivision of the city sometimes don't appreciate the old equipment for what it is - a history marker of the Northwest's industrial past. Much of it sits in view of State Route 202, and has done so since my days of living nearby in the late 1960s. The Musuem's Restoration Center - known as the CRC - was embroiled in a land battle with neighbors who saw the facility as a deficit to their lifestyle; this added a few years to the project, but thankfully the CRC was completed and occupied in 2006.

It's great to see this group getting what it needs to preserve railroad history in the area. The towns and hills around it were once teaming with rail; The Milwaukee Road ran close to this former Northern Pacific line, and the few miles of track the Museum owns is now all that remains in this part of the county. It's essentially a land-locked railroad, since the Milwaukee tracks are all gone and the line west of Snoqualmie Falls was abandoned in the 1970s.

This land deal will help them maintain what's left and teach people the historic importance of rail here.

Chance for Snohomish Dinner Train is Looking Better

With the Spirit Of Washington Dinner Train currently stored in Battle Ground WA, the Seattle Times today reported that it has a better than average chance of once again gracing the rails of East King County and Snohomish County. The Dinner Train's owner thinks this is a great option.

"We have no intention of running the dinner train on someone else's railroad," says Eric Temple from the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train, citing issues with the relationship they had with Tacoma Rail in running the train out to Lake Kapowsin from the Tacoma Dome. Mr. Temple is also "encouraged" about the latest news that the Port Of Seattle is planning to buy the entire Woodinville Subdivision from BNSF. Port Of Seattle ownership of the line would allow the Temple family's Columbia Basin Railroad bid on operating the northern part of the line from Snohomish to Woodinville, which would retain tracks in the deal. The southern part, from Woodinville to Renton, would lose its tracks in lieu of a rail trail with the potential for future expansion. As it turns out, Mr. Temple had been negotiating to take over operations of the northern portion anyway, prior to moving the Dinner Train to Tacoma, but those negotiations didn't pan out at the time. He is not shy about describing experience he had with Tacoma Rail and after a series of factors he chose to end the run.

I see a lot of benefits in another Dinner Train running, this time between Snohomish and Woodinville. I'm sure Columbia Winery would be thrilled to have the visitors back. Plus, there is the reverse benefit of Snohomish being a "Antique Town" for those coming up from Woodinville. And what about Woodinville Village? This new development is literally within walking or shuttle distance of the tracks. Seems to me there could be an incredible tie-in here.

This story is just too good to put in bed!

Voters Tow "Roads & Rails" to The Dead Line

Proposition 1 - regionally known as the "Roads and Rails Plan" - was resoundingly rejected by voters in Pierce, King and Snohomish Counties. The plan was massive and would have provided money - through taxation - for road projects in three counties plus light rail to Lynnwood, Redmond, and Tacoma.

But the public message back to the State was, "it asked for too much at once, and asked for more when Sound Transit hasn't even finished the first segment of light rail yet."

For the record, I voted yes on Proposition 1. I saw it as a bittersweet opportunity to move forward in our efforts to get around the Puget Sound region more easily. But most voters disagreed in more ways than one. Overall they sent a message larger than just this measure; if you look at how people voted on other ballot items, the voting trend we saw on Tuesday said, "Use the money we've already given you, and keep your hands off our wallets." Not only did the public say no to several tax measures, but they also made it harder for the lawmakers to raise taxes without public input. There was a tightening of belts region-wide.

Danny Westneat from the Seattle Times had a decent editorial on the subject, saying we need to look at our transportation issues in smaller doses. "But big new stuff?" he asks. "Forget it. It costs too much. And there's too little trust." That lack of trust appears to come from the notion that Olympia is not wisely using what is already given to them.

So what happens now? Olympia has said they will look to other funding for vital projects, and we may see a gas tax increase (for which I'm not surprised). Eastside developers will continue developing along the proposed light rail corridor despite this vote. This also may put the Woodinville Subdivision back in play, as a way to get transit to the Eastside without spending on a entirely new line.

Although I voted yes for Prop 1, I am now breathing a sigh of relief that lawmakers have to go back and try again.

Port of Seattle to Buy Woodinville Subdivision

Price: $103 million. Finally, a deal on the table that makes both advocates and critics happy. The purchase price is an eye-opener; In 2005 BNSF purchased nearly 400 miles of track from the State of South Dakota for a mere $41 million. By contrast, the Woodinville Subdivision is 42 miles long, with an eight-mile spur from Woodinville to Redmond. The value gives us on the outside an indicator of just how important this right-of-way is to the railroad, to the public, and to developers of all kinds. There's a land demand, most certainly. And selling the line to the Port means the chance of keeping rail activity in East King County is pretty good.

Not so, say some critics. Part of the plan is the tear up the existing tracks south of Bellevue and north of Renton, which would probably mean huge legal fights when it's time to put tracks back down in the future. A third private party is also trying to buy the line, for more than the Port is paying, which makes this sale even more melodramatic. In 2006 I hosted a site that outlined my concern over losing the line, in the hopes of raising awareness and keeping the tracks in place. In the end I was happy to pass the torch to groups that included heavier hitters in business and advocacy. I'm just a guy who believes in railroading as a vital industry and a traditional American icon.

It's hard to weigh out the uncertainty in this struggle. 100 years ago nobody would have ever figured this little line would cause so much havoc; rail service somewhere was an assumed resource. I'm happy to see a plan on the table that keeps at least some track in the ground; sure it would be nice to have a seamless rail corridor from Renton to Snohomish, on which passenger trains could help people cut their commute frustration. But I've resigned myself to at least catching some freight traffic in Woodinville and hoping for some excursion traffic as well.

Time will tell, and WARail will be here.