Thoughts on Expanding Sounder Service

If you have the time for two cups of coffee, Seattle Transit Blog's post about expanding Sounder service is a good read and reflection piece. Brian Bundridge lays out his thoughts on sending trains out to the suburbs (or not so much in some cases). Comments to the post are also showing a high level of interest in seeing something like this work.

It all comes down to one observation and one question: there is definitely some evidence to the benefits of establishing service to outlying areas of Western Washington. How is it paid for? The evidence for that is not so clear.

Milwaukee Road at Othello, 1972

CZ17 took this photo in Othello back in 1972, when the wires were still up and the GEs still ran. If you visit Othello today there is very little left of the Milwaukee Road. Even a caboose left town for South Cle Elum. But the city still associates with its railroad heritage. After all, the Milwaukee Road provided jobs and a connection to the world for 60+ years.

Othello is on Washington State Route 26, which runs 133 miles from I-90 to Colfax. Over the miles you can literally see the terrain change from scrub land to wheat field!

Sound Transit Prop 1 - Who Gets What?

Sound Transit's Proposition 1 beat it up at the poles. I was actually shocked that this package made it through, given the state of the economy right now. So how does it settle out, come January when the sales tax money starts coming?

Well, this Seattle Times Internet equivalent of a flannel graph will show you what the region pays and what we receive for the money. In short:

1. More Sounder Trains to Pierce County in 2011
2. Possible Passenger service on the old Woodinville Sub in East King County in 2012 (if other donors match Sound Transit's $50 million)
   
3. More Southend expansion in 2015
4. More Seattle Streetcars in 2016
5. Light Rail to Husky Stadium in 2016
   
6. Light Rail to Northgate by 2020
7. Light Rail to Redmond/Overlake by 2021
8. Light Rail to Lynnwood by 2023

Yes, the timeline is a long one. I look at it and realize that legal battles like likely add a few years to some of it. Proponents are calling this a gift to the future generations, something that a lot of us may not benefit from at least in the short term. I cringe at the idea that this may all be final when I'm in my 60s, but granted it needs to be done. We can't move the region without rail any longer. And it's going to cost money.

Time to shake your fist at the sky and yell Rhubarb at the forces who abandoned the Interurban back in the day!

Economy delays sale of Eastside Corridor

Thankfully, it's only delayed and not deferred! The sale will go through once the value of some bonds increases.

Local News | Economy delays BNSF rail-line sale to Port of Seattle | Seattle Times Newspaper

Love For Trains Starts Early

If you're visiting WARail, you probably like a thing or two about railroading! It's clear that a typical railfan's love for trains must have started somewhere. For me, maybe it was the Northern Pacific and Milwaukee Road running through my backyard in Preston when I was young. I recall following with great interest and sadness when I heard that the tracks had been pulled, the Issaquah Trestle blown up, and no more trains would be running through. Or maybe it was my friend Jeff, whose Dad and Grandfather had both worked for the Great Northern. Maybe it was the UP and BN running in front of my college apartment in Pullman at all hours of the night; while I was irritated by the blaring but federally-mandated horn blowing of the UP, it was balanced out by the BN giving mere peeps from their horns at hours between 10pm and 6am.

Given my history with trains, I'm mostly to blame for my oldest son's love for a visit track side whenever we have the chance. While gas prices have really cut into those times, we value the opportunities we have to go search for trains in various parts of Seattle. And thanks to railroading, he has at least one healthy interest that can keep him away from unhealthy ones that could get him in trouble later. He draws trains now, and knows more about the BNSF than most 6-7 year olds. We don't have just one train set at home...we have various types of train sets from several manufacturers. He can speak more knowledgably about the Milwaukee Road than any other kid in the 1st grade, and can tell a yard switcher from a road switcher.

What I mean to say is that this pursuit of ours - Railfanning - is in my opinion a healthy thing to share with kids, and easily one that could occupy their time later in life when more dangerous pursuits could creep into their lives. My hope for David - and his brother Jack - is that trains are something they can enjoy as adults like we do, and then pass on to their kids.

What got you into trains and railroading? Share your comments below!