South Norfolk Street - Then and Now

Photo Courtesy of Robert McDonald

Robert McDonald took this photo along Airport Way, of a passing NP F3 sometime in June 1961. The hill in the background is telltale for me, and Robert confirmed that it was taken near the intersection of S. Norfolk Street at the south end of Boeing Field. Robert states, "Milwaukee's Van Asselt (yard) was in the background...NP 6500A with two unrecorded F7's; F3 built 1947, sn 3773, traded to GE in April 1964. Southbound "Vista Dome North Coast Limited," with "Sue the Stewardess-Nurse" on board!"

Flash forward 47 years for my photo, taken February 2008. This part of the mainline has expanded dramatically since Robert's photo was taken, and often these big chugging engines are stashed here, even visitors from the East from time to time. This is also the area where David and I got to climb aboard BNSF 5490. Even the mountain photo at the top of this blog was taken near that spot.

It's an unassuming line of track where tremendous variety can be seen throughout the year!

Tacoma’s Prairie Line Might Become Trail

BNSF and Tacoma are in complex negotiations currently to transfer ownership of the railroad's "Prairie Line" to the City, in exchange for the closure of a dangerous road crossing near the waterfront. If completed, this unused right-of-way could become part of a comprehensive trail system that cuts through the UW Tacoma campus.

The Prairie Line is the oldest line in Tacoma, being part of the original Northern Pacific route to the waterfront.

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!