Video - BNSF 2125 And The Garbage Train

Here is a video I shot of BNSF 2125 assembling the Garbage Train. It was the first time I attached my video camera to a tripod, in an effort to create a smooth transition back and forth as the train moved. I still prefer hand-held for this stuff, but I'm willing to try other methods. The right-of-way is along 2nd Avenue S. at Horton Street; one can park and - mostly importantly - stand legally and safely off railroad property to watch the procession of trains. Gritty as it is, this is now one of my favorite spots for train watching.

2125 is officially an EMD GP38AC built in 1971 as #648 for the St. Louis and San Francisco Railway, better known as The Frisco. This railroad was merged in to Burlington Northern in 1980, and the engines were spread across the system.

It's nice to see these merger machines still in service, almost 40 years after being built! For the record, up close this thing sounded awesome. I can imagine it in the great Frisco red & white paint scheme at some time in history.

View Location Map

BNSF Connects PNW Freight with Expanded Hubs in Memphis, Chicago

BNSF is beginning a new express service to its hubs in Chicago and Memphis, which will allow it to use the expanded intermodel terminals there. The Ports of Seattle and Tacoma apparently bring in a lot of cargo; the railroad's take on it is this freight can go East faster, more reliably, and in an environmentally responsible way.

Negotiations Begin for Eastside Freight Service

Port of Seattle is beginning negotiations with GNP and Ballard Terminal Railroad to provide freight service on the Woodinville Subdivision. Freight Service is expected to continue in the north end of the line, between Snohomish and Woodinville, because the southern link is currently severed south of the Wilburton Trestle.

The opportunities for freight service on the line south of Woodinville are kind of scarce at this time anyway.

Northern Pacific Freight in Tacoma - 1888

Found this Government Archive photo today, showing the crew from the schooner Oscar and Hattie unloading the first halibut catch to be shipped on the Northern Pacific in Tacoma, September 20, 1888. The boxcar can be seen in the right side of the photo.

The Oscar and Hattie was one of a trio of fishing vessels that sailed from Massachusetts to the North Pacific, going around South America to get there. How times have changed!

Forbes: "Rails Running Hot"

Forbes currently sees the rail industry as a business sector that continues to make money despite an economic downturn. In fact they contend that the economy may not be as bad as some might say, considering the quantity and variety of the products that are running the rails. 2006 and 2007 turned out to be banner years for the rail industry, and 2008 is also turning out to be good as well.

Considering that locomotives are three times as efficient as big rigs (when you consider tonnage versus fuel efficiency), it's no surprise that rail carriers are seeing increased interest.