Streetcars in Vancouver WA?

Streetcars of the past in Hazel Dell's future?

Even parts of Vancouver WA are thinking of putting track in the ground! A lot of people come to the same conclusion: you can have utilitarian transportation options like more buses, but streetcars bring interest back to a community. It's noted, tried, true, and tested.

Bring `em on!

Ghost Trains in Nome AK

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There are still Bones of The Past left from the Gold Rush. These trains - left behind after a failed attempt to create railroad - stand as idle testament!

Seattle, Lake Shore, and Eastern - Today in 1885

History is a big thing for me. Today in 1885, according to HistoryLink, the Seattle, Lake Shore, and Eastern Railroad Company was incorporated by local businessmen. It was a planned route running from Seattle, past Lake Washington, up to Sumas. Another route was built out to Snoqualmie, as part of the railroad's original plan to extend into Eastern WA. In fact the SL&E was an integral part of the Woodinville Subdivision, mentioned in today's previous post!

SL&E would eventually become part of the Northern Pacific.

Tracks to remain on trail-rail corridor

Seattle P-I reports today that plans for the Woodinville Subdivision are to allow tracks to remain on corridor for the foreseeable future. In the article, County Executive Ron Sims announces that he is committed to seeing this Eastside corridor used for rails and trails. I like what I hear; been disappointed a few times in the past when I've read one thing and seen another, but overall this calms my concerns about some future aspects of this undervalued line.

Consider this: BNSF considers the trackage itself "scrap" because of its condition, but what the rails lack in transit value they make up for in political value. They are a symbol - while still in the ground - that the new owners are committed to using this line for what it's made for - moving freight and possibly people - just as it has for a century. It's a stance that bodes well with transportation advocates of all kinds, and keeps the politicians in their good graces.

To top it off, the Dinner Train still has another chance to run! This time the proposed route takes it from Snohomish south to Woodinville. No comment from the Temple Family in this article, but hopefully they're keeping those sweet old FP7s greased up and ready. But that's another story, because the Columbia Winery is moving. So where could the Dinner Train take its clientèle? Well, with tracks in the ground all the way down to Redmond, I could imagine Redmond Town Center or Willows Run Golf Course as potential destinations.

There's more to come on this story I'm sure!

Seattle's Waterfront Trolley Comeback Delayed

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.