Seattle ponders addition of more streetcar lines

More talk of more trolleys? This is getting good!

Seattle ponders addition of more streetcar lines

Sound Transit Looking Closer at Woodinville Sub

Who would have thought a year ago that we would be seeing talk Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) running the rails between Renton and Woodinville, providing passenger service? This is a welcome change, since pulling these "under-used" tracks in favor of a bike trail through a busy part of the county would be just plain stupid.

Eastside News | Sound Transit gives rail line a boost | Seattle Times Newspaper

Great Washington Snow Picture

WARail's "Man On the Street" Mike Bjork has been collecting photography credits lately. Most notably he had two pictures published in Railfan & Railroad magazine in the March 2008 issue. He's got quite an eye for the unusual, and this is now appearing in national publications.

Aside from magazines, Mike also got "Screener's Choice" and "Peoples' Choice" awards at RailPictures.net for this exciting snow scene. Once you view that photo, take some time to check out his other pictures there. It's quite a collection!

Light-rail link from Tacoma to Sea-Tac in jeopardy

Tightening budgets appear to be shelving the light-rail extension from Sea-Tac Airport to Tacoma:

Light-rail link to Sea-Tac in jeopardy | TheNewsTribune.com | Tacoma, WA

Hopefully they can sort this out. I think it's needed and should be considered a benefit to the region.

Amtrak's Pioneer could Return to Seattle - Salt Lake

Could Amtrak service through southern Idaho return? That's the question some people have since Amtrak is seeing a growth in passenger numbers in the last year or two. The Pioneer was discontinued in 1997, and could return after a feasibility study is done and equipment is located. At this point Amtrak is maxed out on its equipment, essentially using every nut and bolt they own to serve the routes they have. To reinstate the Pioneer, it would require new trains.

Many are optimistic about this route between Seattle and Salt Lake City returning, including the head of Amtrak. But the Idaho governor wants to make sure the train will pay its way rather than being a money sapper. The environment for passenger rail service has changed in ten years, so the possibility for the Pioneer coming back - and making money - is a good one. If it does, it will be the first passenger route reactivated by Amtrak in the last 20 years!

Seattle City council eyes streetcar network

Now that the South Lake Union Streetcar has finally hit the tracks, and the initial ridership numbers have been analyzed, the Seattle City council is considering a streetcar network to serve other parts of the city. West Seattle and Ballard are both areas that would be benefited from the ill-fated monorail project, which was eventually voted down because of potential cost overruns and other bad decisions. Now, the city is considering the surface route option of a trolley because buses simply can't provide the necessary service to either of those areas.

This was a great idea in the early part of the 20th Century - when Seattle was laced with trolley tracks everywhere - and it's a great idea now as vehicular traffic has increase the need for faster options. Sadly, there's also the stigma that a bus ride - at least in Seattle - will also mean enduring panhandlers, gang activity, and mental illness. Of course, this isn't entirely true for all routes but the myth exists anyway and there's not much that can be done about it. Trolleys, on the other hand, have a quaint and more homey sense about them. It can give the city a soul again that once existed until the tracks were pulled or paved over. I'm also holding out hope that the Waterfront Trolley that ran until 2005 will someday be reinstated when they figure out where to put the trolley car barn.

Hopefully this is an option that will come around and be seen as a plus in this area.

Little Steam Engine Finds New Home in Pullman

On display for years, this little steam locomotive is on its way to a new home on The Palouse! It will be part of a growing display that celebrates the unique railroad history of Pullman, a city itself named for a passenger rail car manufacturer.

All I can say is "Welcome Home," and "Go Cougs!"