Originally the vintage Alaskan Way trolleys were to be back in service by Summer 2007. Now - according to this article - it looks like the earliest will be 2010...or beyond...or not at all. Facilities construction in Pioneer Square has been heavily delayed, and now the looming construction of the new Alaskan Way Viaduct would make any effort to get the trolleys back online short sited.
First and foremost, I was disgusted to see the original car barn torn down. Second, I had my concerns that the trolley would not be coming back to the waterfront. Out of sight, out of mind in a sense. It seems so backwards that we have a brand spanking new trolley system going to Lake Union, and we struggle to get the original back on the tracks. Thankfully the cars are stored and preserved out of the elements until such time that they are to be used again.
My thoughts? Someone needs to contract with Ballard Terminal Railroad, spruce up the right-of-way, and run through Ballard instead.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Big Orange BNSF Cranes
A person can see them from the freeway, and even from Krispy Kreme. If you're in SODO they're hard to miss. They're BNSF's big new orange cranes being used to offload shipments coming into Seattle!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Editorial: Light Rail in South Sound
It's refreshing to see that adding light rail in the South Puget Sound - connecting with SeaTac and Seattle - has once again gathered interest with Sound Transit and other agencies. After initially cooling to the idea because of cost concerns, they are now looking for funding to put a line in from the airport to Tacoma - one that runs on the west side I-5 instead of down in the valley to the east.
Have you ever driven in Federal Way? Anytime of the the day? It's a zoo, plain and simple. There is so much traffic that it literally keeps me from doing any shopping there. All those people need relief from the congestion. And people like me, who want to visit there but hate the traffic, want it so we don't have to be part of the congestion. If there ever was a part of this region that needs light rail, it would be this corridor from SeaTac to Tacoma.
Have you ever driven in Federal Way? Anytime of the the day? It's a zoo, plain and simple. There is so much traffic that it literally keeps me from doing any shopping there. All those people need relief from the congestion. And people like me, who want to visit there but hate the traffic, want it so we don't have to be part of the congestion. If there ever was a part of this region that needs light rail, it would be this corridor from SeaTac to Tacoma.
Look Ma...No Brakes
Federal investigators have released their findings about a Yakima derailment - unstaffed train with no handbrakes set backs down a track and hits the end of the line. That last four cars - double hulled and filled with propane - came off the tracks and thankfully did not break open. To add embarrassment to the slow-moving derailment, the Sherriff's Office had to be evacuated after the accident because of its proximity to the cars.
I'm thankful that nobody was hurt!
I'm thankful that nobody was hurt!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
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.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Abandoned Grays Harbor Rail Spur in Discussion
Puget Sound and Pacific Railroad abandoned this spur last year, but the one customer on the spur is spending huge amounts of money now to put trucks on the road because of the lost rail service. Discussions later this month will help sort out what needs to be done.
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/04/04/local_news/03news.txt
http://www.thedailyworld.com/articles/2008/04/04/local_news/03news.txt
Monday, April 7, 2008
Snohomish to Bellevue Commuter Trains?
If successful, this would be a big deal! An excellent idea for the region, and for using existing infrastructure.
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080403/NEWS01/537823232
County Council agrees to pursue commuter train between Snohomish and Bellevue
By Jeff Switzer, Herald Writer
A private company's proposal to run commuter trains from Snohomish to Bellevue won more leverage Wednesday.
The Snohomish County Council voted 4-0 to approve further analysis of a proposed commuter train system. The council agreed to authorize County Executive Aaron Reardon to negotiate agreements with the company, GNP Railway.
"I think this is an important step to indicate our interest in this and I think it has great potential," County Council chairman Dave Somers said. "This at least keeps this alive and lets other folks know that we're definitely, seriously interested in having this option explored."
The move allows the county and railway company possibly to team up and gain clout with federal railway regulators.
The proposal now goes to Reardon's office for talks and review.
"It's an intriguing concept but there's a lot of work we need to do to fully vet the proposal and understand it," said Peter Camp, an executive director who advises Reardon on land-use issues.
"If we can come up with an agreement, it will come back to the council."
He said he'll be evaluating any financial risks to the county and risks from having commuter trains sharing the rails with freight haulers.
The idea for commuter train service comes from Tom Payne, a former owner and founder of Canada's third largest railway system. He said he spent months analyzing the costs of railway upgrades and operations from Snohomish to Bellevue and wants his new company, GNP Railway, to have permission to run trains.
There's an opportunity to use the route because the Port of Seattle is close to buying the tracks for $103 million from Texas-based Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. The tracks run 42 miles from Snohomish to Renton.
If a deal is reached in coming weeks, the Port of Seattle plans to decide how the route is used. Federal regulators have a say, too.
Payne's idea is to run six trains in the morning to Bellevue and six back to Snohomish in the afternoon. It would cost an estimated $80 million for stations, trains and track repairs, Payne said.
Port of Seattle officials called Somers on Wednesday to talk about Snohomish County's involvement in the future use of the route, Somers said.
The Port of Seattle proposes keeping freight trains running from Woodinville to Snohomish and suspending operations south of Woodinville. King County wants to build a hiking and biking trail along the route through cities on the east side of Lake Washington.
Snohomish County wants to work directly with the Port of Seattle and not leave talks to other forums, Somers said he told port officials.
Reporter Jeff Switzer: 425-339-3452 or jswitzer@heraldnet.com.
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080403/NEWS01/537823232
County Council agrees to pursue commuter train between Snohomish and Bellevue
By Jeff Switzer, Herald Writer
A private company's proposal to run commuter trains from Snohomish to Bellevue won more leverage Wednesday.
The Snohomish County Council voted 4-0 to approve further analysis of a proposed commuter train system. The council agreed to authorize County Executive Aaron Reardon to negotiate agreements with the company, GNP Railway.
"I think this is an important step to indicate our interest in this and I think it has great potential," County Council chairman Dave Somers said. "This at least keeps this alive and lets other folks know that we're definitely, seriously interested in having this option explored."
The move allows the county and railway company possibly to team up and gain clout with federal railway regulators.
The proposal now goes to Reardon's office for talks and review.
"It's an intriguing concept but there's a lot of work we need to do to fully vet the proposal and understand it," said Peter Camp, an executive director who advises Reardon on land-use issues.
"If we can come up with an agreement, it will come back to the council."
He said he'll be evaluating any financial risks to the county and risks from having commuter trains sharing the rails with freight haulers.
The idea for commuter train service comes from Tom Payne, a former owner and founder of Canada's third largest railway system. He said he spent months analyzing the costs of railway upgrades and operations from Snohomish to Bellevue and wants his new company, GNP Railway, to have permission to run trains.
There's an opportunity to use the route because the Port of Seattle is close to buying the tracks for $103 million from Texas-based Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. The tracks run 42 miles from Snohomish to Renton.
If a deal is reached in coming weeks, the Port of Seattle plans to decide how the route is used. Federal regulators have a say, too.
Payne's idea is to run six trains in the morning to Bellevue and six back to Snohomish in the afternoon. It would cost an estimated $80 million for stations, trains and track repairs, Payne said.
Port of Seattle officials called Somers on Wednesday to talk about Snohomish County's involvement in the future use of the route, Somers said.
The Port of Seattle proposes keeping freight trains running from Woodinville to Snohomish and suspending operations south of Woodinville. King County wants to build a hiking and biking trail along the route through cities on the east side of Lake Washington.
Snohomish County wants to work directly with the Port of Seattle and not leave talks to other forums, Somers said he told port officials.
Reporter Jeff Switzer: 425-339-3452 or jswitzer@heraldnet.com.
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