Legislature: Train tracks are worth fixing

Looks like the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad is going to get a facelift if all works out.

Legislature: Train tracks are worth fixing- Columbian.com

Legislature: Train tracks are worth fixing
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
By MICHAEL ANDERSEN, Columbian staff writer

State legislators handed Clark County a last-minute favor Tuesday, earmarking up to a possible $8.5 million for improvements to the county’s Chelatchie Prairie Railroad tracks.

The item was included in the state transportation budget, which survived conference committee approval Tuesday.

“We are waiting to see whether it’s coming to the floor today or tomorrow morning, but I’m certain it will pass,” said Rep. Deb Wallace, a Vancouver Democrat, on Tuesday afternoon.

The rail line would get the money only if it turns out not to be needed for a different project: a rail bypass and bridge at West 39th Street in Vancouver. That $115 million project is scheduled for completion in 2011. If any money is left over, up to $8.5 million can go to improving the tracks between Vancouver and Battle Ground.

The county-owned tracks run from a junction near Vancouver Lake through Battle Ground to Chelatchie Prairie.

Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad, which operates the line south of Battle Ground, says it would take almost $20 million to fully upgrade its stretch of track.

Milwaukee Road Tunnel For Sale

Now's your chance! A former MILW tunnel is for sale for $650,000 outside of Tekoa WA.

Canadian Railroad Trilogy

If you're sentimental like me, there are certain songs, chords, TV shows etc that get to you in the heart. The Canadian Railroad Trilogy by Gordon Lightfoot has history and darn good songwriting all wrapped into one package. In the above YouTube video, that song has been set to old photographs from the archives of railroading and the wild; you may recognize some of the photos as not being from Canada, but the feeling is still there. And the resulting video is great to watch.

So grab something to drink and click the video when you have seven minutes to spare. It may just get to you too.

Sound Transit punches second tunnel under Seattle's Beacon Hill

Another milestone for Light Rail!

Sound Transit punches second tunnel under Seattle's Beacon Hill

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SEATTLE -- A boring machine has punched another tunnel through Seattle's Beacon Hill for the Sound Transit light rail line between the city and Sea-Tac Airport.

Construction workers and transit employees cheered Wednesday as the 600-ton machine broke through Wednesday and operators crawled across the 21-foot diameter drill bit to shake hands with Mayor Greg Nickels.

This is the second of two tunnels under Beacon Hill. The first was completed last May. Sound Transit says the 16-mile line should open next year.

King Street Station Restoration Starts...Again

King Street Station restoration project getting back on track

When I was seven, in the early 1970s, I was exploring the station while we waited for relatives to arrive on the train. While I don't recall exactly where, I came across a room that was filled with bomb shelter supplies including big drums of water that said something like "use by May 1967."

Every time I pass King Street Station I think of that room. It will be nice to see this building stand tall once again.