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To-do
Former Amtrak stations (list)
NRHP depots
Other stations
  • Pullman: NP/Pufferbelly depot built in 1917, purchased for museum in 2018 (DN; alt)
    • UP depot on Davis is now a bank?
  • Bingen–White Salmon: dual name to settle feud in 1906
  • Commons category listing: Issaquah, Ritzville, Tenino, Dayton, Black Diamond
Former Idaho/Oregon stations (Pioneer, 1997)
Former mainline stations
  • Great Northern (forum post)
  • Various pictures
  • Railroad Station Historical Society
  • Washington State Railroad Depots Photo Archive (ISBN 9781583882450)
Short railroads
  • Skagit River Railway (1974, Sedro Wolley to Concrete): included construction of new station in Conrete
    • "New (!) railroad depot". The Seattle Times. April 7, 1974. p. C2.
Other links

Sounder commuter rail

[edit]
Examples: Jæren Commuter Rail, Oslo Commuter Rail
Sounder
Overview
OwnerSound Transit
LocaleSeattle metropolitan area
Transit typeCommuter rail
Number of lines2
Number of stations12
Daily ridership6,715 (2023)[2]
Annual ridership1,755,751 (2023)[2]
Websitesoundtransit.org
Operation
Began operationSeptember 18, 2000 (2000-09-18)
Operator(s)BNSF Railway
Reporting marksSDRX
Number of vehicles14 locomotives, 78 cars
Train length2–7 passenger cars
Technical
System length81.8 miles (131.6 km)[2]
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) (standard gauge)
Top speed79 mph (127 km/h)

Sounder (reporting mark SDRX) is a commuter rail system that serves the Seattle metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Washington. It is managed by Sound Transit and operated by BNSF Railway on 82 miles (132 km) of tracks, primarily owned by BNSF, using equipment maintained by Amtrak. Sounder is split into two lines that intersect at King Street Station in Seattle: the N Line to Everett and the S Line to Tacoma and Lakewood.

Sounder trains typically operate during peak periods, with trains to Seattle in the morning and to outlying areas in the afternoon. Limited midday service is offered on the S Line and special weekend trips are run on both lines for sporting events and other occasions. In 2023, Sounder carried 1.8 million total passengers and averaged 6,715 riders on weekdays.

The commuter rail system was preceded by mainline passenger railroad service that began in the late 19th century, including two interurban railways to Everett and Tacoma that operated until the 1920s. After a decade of planning, Sounder commuter rail service was approved by voters in a 1996 ballot measure and construction on its stations began in 1998. The South Line (now the S Line) entered service on September 18, 2000, and was followed by the North Line (now the N Line) on December 26, 2003. The South Line was extended from Tacoma to Lakewood in October 2012 and is planned to be extended further to DuPont by 2045.

Lines

[edit]

The Sounder commuter rail system comprises two lines that total 81.8 miles (131.6 km) in length and serve twelve stations.[2][3] King Street Station in Downtown Seattle serves as the system's central hub and is the terminus of both lines. The N Line serves three stations and terminates in Everett; the S Line serves eight stations and terminates in Lakewood, with some trips ending in Tacoma.[3] The two lines carried a total of 1.8 million passengers in 2023 and Sounder was the 13th-busiest commuter rail system in the United States by ridership.[2][4]

Train service is primarily operated during weekday rush hours, with trips inbound to Seattle during the morning and outbound to the suburbs in the afternoon. Other services, including reverse commute and mid-day trips are offered on the S Line, while both lines have occasional weekend service for special events.[5][6] Most of the Sounder system uses tracks owned by BNSF Railway, which is also contracted to operate the trains. Amtrak provides fleet maintenance and storage of trains at their Seattle facility.[3][7] The Lakewood–Tacoma segment of the S Line, part of the Point Defiance Bypass, uses tracks that are owned by Sound Transit.[8][9]

N Line

[edit]

The N Line begins in Seattle and travels north for 34.2 miles (55.0 km) on the BNSF Scenic Subdivision towards Snohomish County, where it serves three stations and terminates in Everett.[10][11] It typically uses short trainsets with two or three passenger cars during its normal four round-trips on weekdays; for special event services, the N Line has five-car trainsets.[2] Trains leave King Street Station and cross beneath Downtown Seattle in the Great Northern Tunnel, which was completed in 1904 and was the highest and widest railroad tunnel in the U.S. at the time.[12] The tracks emerge under Pike Place Market and travel through four at-grade crossings along Alaskan Way on the city's waterfront.[13] The N Line continues northwest past Myrtle Edwards Park and under the Magnolia Bridge to traverse the Balmer Yard, a major BNSF railyard in the Interbay neighborhood.[14][15]

The tracks cross over the Lake Washington Ship Canal on the Salmon Bay Bridge, a movable bascule bridge near the Ballard Locks, and pass through Golden Gardens Park.[16][17] The N Line continues north along the shore of Puget Sound and passes under overpasses at Carkeek Park in Seattle and Richmond Beach in Shoreline.[14][17] The coastline tracks run under steep bluffs to the east that range from 80 to 100 feet (24 to 30 m) in height and are prone to landslides during the winter season.[11][18] The line enters Snohomish County at Woodway and turns northeast at Edwards Point to reach the Edmonds waterfront. Its first outbound station is Edmonds station, located adjacent to the city's ferry terminal and downtown.[14][19]

The N Line continues north along Puget Sound until it reaches Mukilteo Lighthouse Park, where the tracks turn east and cross under State Route 525. Trains then stop at Mukilteo station, a two-platform station near a ferry terminal serving Whidbey Island.[20] The tracks continue northeast along Possession Sound and pass several public beaches before they reach Everett.[14][21] The N Line travels east under Downtown Everett in a short tunnel and turns south to reach its terminus at Everett Station, a multimodal hub with bus and Amtrak connections.[14][22] Trains take approximately 53 minute to travel between Seattle and Everett.[23]

S Line

[edit]

The S Line is 47.6 miles (76.6 km) long and travels south along the State Route 167 corridor from Seattle to Pierce County, where trips terminate in either Tacoma or Lakewood.[24] It follows portions of the BNSF Seattle Subdivision from Seattle to Tacoma, a Tacoma Rail spur, and Sound Transit's Lakewood Subdivision from Tacoma to Lakewood.[11] The S Line uses longer trainsets in five-car and seven-car configurations and has 13 round trips on weekdays—including reverse direction trips and limited mid-day service.[2][25] Trains begin at King Street Station and travel south along the east side of Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park, passing under the retractable roof of the latter, in the industrial SoDo neighborhood. The tracks pass the Sounder and Amtrak maintenance facility near South Holgate Street and continue under the Spokane Street Viaduct; they then turn southeast at Union Pacific's Argo Yard.

The line travels southeast through Georgetown and runs between Boeing Field to the west and Interstate 5 to the east. The S Line crosses under the tracks for the 1 Line of the Link light rail system near South Boeing Access Road and continues into Tukwila. The tracks cross under Interstate 5 and begin to follow the Duwamish River and later the Green River near Fort Dent Park and the Starfire Sports complex. Trains then pass under Interstate 405 near the former Longacres horse racing track and arrive at the first outbound station, Tukwila, which is shared with Amtrak Cascades. The S Line continues south through the industrial Green River Valley into Kent, where it crosses under State Route 167 and stops at Kent station. The tracks traverse eight at-grade crossings in Kent before leaving the city and crossing the Green River.

The S Line passes the Emerald Downs horse racing track in northern Auburn and stops to serve Auburn station near an interchange with State Route 18. Trains pass through a large railyard and cross over the White River before leaving King County to enter Pierce County near Pacific. The tracks turn southwest in Sumner and serve the city's train station near its downtown. The S Line cross under State Route 410 and over the Puyallup River before it turns northwest to enter Puyallup. The line crosses under State Route 512 and stops at Puyallup station while it traverses a series of six at-grade crossings in the city.

The tracks continue northwest to follow the Puyallup River and make a series of turns along the western edge of the rural valley as it approaches Tacoma. The S Line crosses under State Route 167 and Interstate 5 and leaves the BNSF Seattle Subdivision to travel on a section of Tacoma Rail that includes a 1,500-foot (460 m) trestle.[26][27] The S Line reaches Tacoma Dome Station, a major intermodal hub near the Tacoma Dome with connections to the T Line streetcar, buses, and Amtrak trains. The line moves to the Lakewood Subdivision on a single track that crosses west under Interstate 705 and State Route 16 as it traverses a steep portion of the route. The S Line curves south and passes through South Tacoma station before it enters the city of Lakewood. The tracks pass an auxiliary railyard for Sounder trains and turn southwest near McChord Field to reach the southern terminus of the S Line at Lakewood station.

  • 16 at-grade crossings in Lakewood Subdivision (all the way to DuPont)[28]
  • 2018 SIP for route profiles?
  • ST3: Double tracking[29]
    • Longer trainsets, additional weekday service[30]
    • Current status: 13 weekday round trips, every 20 minutes during peak; event services; 16,416 weekday boardings in 2018 (up from 12,694 in 2014)[31]
  • Travel times?

Stations

[edit]
  • Length: Seven cars[7]: 4 
  • Basic features: Bus station, platform with rider information, shelters, TVMs, ORCA readers, public art
  • Other features: Parking garages, restrooms, pedestrian overpass
  • Connections with Amtrak[32]: 69, 70 
  • Parking: HOV permits
  • Accessible features: High platform ramp, station agents[33]
  • Public art at every station; all stations feature "Welcome Mat" for queuing[34]
Sounder stations
Station County Began service Transfers and connections[35]
Lakewood Pierce October 8, 2012
South Tacoma October 8, 2012
Tacoma Dome September 18, 2000 Link light rail Link light rail: T Line
Amtrak Amtrak: Cascades, Coast Starlight
Puyallup February 5, 2001
Sumner September 18, 2000
Auburn King September 18, 2000
Kent February 5, 2001
Tukwila March 12, 2001 Amtrak Amtrak: Cascades
King Street–Seattle September 18, 2000 Link light rail Link light rail: 1 Line
Amtrak Amtrak: Cascades, Coast Starlight, Empire Builder
Edmonds Snohomish December 23, 2003 Amtrak Amtrak: Cascades, Empire Builder
ferry/water interchange Washington State Ferries
Mukilteo May 31, 2008 ferry/water interchange Washington State Ferries
Everett December 23, 2003 Amtrak Amtrak: Cascades, Empire Builder

History

[edit]

The first railroads to serve the Puget Sound region were planned in the early 1870s, putting rival towns in competition for the terminal of national railroads.

Background
  • Railroad development in 1880s, including Shore Line (Seattle to Tacoma)[36]
    • GN to Everett built in 1891
  • Interurbans until 1929
  • 1950s proposal
  • 1987 Metro study
  • 1993 Regional plan, formation of RTA
Planning
  • 1995: "Try Rail" campaign using leased GO Transit bi-level trains from January to March, serving Everett, Edmonds, Seattle, Kent and Tacoma[37][38]
  • 1995: RTA proposes commuter rail service from Everett to Lakewood, scheduled to launch in 1997 or 1998, pending a vote (that would later fail) on March 14, 1995[39]
    • Provisional stations on Sounder North: Richmond Beach, Ballard, and Interbay
    • Additional stations in Seattle: Interbay, Pike Place Market, Georgetown, and Boeing Access Road
    • Bond Street Station (Everett) served alongside new Everett Station
  • 1996-05-31: Sound Move adopted by ST Board, including commuter rail from Everett to Lakewood via Seattle[40]
    • Provisional stations at Richmond Beach, Ballard, and Georgetown; Boeing Access Road as a rail transfer hub (to light rail); Bond Street Station kept
  • 1997-08-15: RTA board adopts "Sounder" as name for commuter rail service[41]
  • 1998 station plans[42]
  • 1999-02-11: ST Board approves work on Everett Multi-modal Facility for Sounder commuter rail and ST Express bus service, using $14.385 million designated by 1996 Sound Move initiative[43]
  • 1999-11-02: Initiative 695 causes car-tab tax cuts that postpone Sounder commuter service to Everett and Edmonds[44]
  • 1999 Sounder North FEISA published[45]
  • 2001-06-14: Bond Street Station (Everett) removed from Sounder North plans[46]
    • "Difficulties associated with the Bond Street site included parking constraints,marginal transit access, and traffic impacts to local streets. Patrons who would have used the Bond Street site will be well served by the Everett Station site. The City of Everett has chosen to focus its attention on the Everett Station facility, in an effort to provide one centralized multi-modal facility. Savings from this project could potentially be used for other commuter rail projects in Everett."[47]
  • 2002-02-04: Everett Station opens, without rail service[48]
  • 2002-09-25: Everett City Council approves $726,000 to construct Sounder platform and rail spur at Everett Station, with reimbursement from Sound Transit via Amtrak[49]
  • 2003-05-28: 97-year lease signed by ST and BNSF, enabling Sounder commuter service on the North Line for $224 million; 1 train at debut, stopping at Edmonds, with 4 daily trains planned after track improvements[50]
Service history

Timeline, 1997 to 2003

  • December 1999: Demonstration train with 400 dignitaries from Tacoma to Seattle at full speed (70 mph), covered 40 miles in 42 minutes
  • 2000-02-29: "Leap Year" train runs from Seattle to Tacoma as part of media preview[51]
  • 2000-09-18: South Line begins service, from Tacoma, Sumner, and Auburn to Seattle[52]
    • Delayed nine months due to funding issues (including state's I-695) and BNSF negotations; third round-trip scrapped due to temporary Lakewood station[53]
  • 2001-02-05: Kent and Puyallup stations open[54]
  • 2001-03-10: Sumner Station opens[55]
  • 2001-03-12: Tukwila Station opens[56]
  • 2001-05-05: Puyallup Station opens[57]
  • 2003-12-26: North Line begins service, from Everett and Edmonds to Seattle[58][59]
  • 2008-05-30: Mukilteo Station opens on North Line[60][61]
  • 2012-10-08: South Line extended to South Tacoma and Lakewood via the Point Defiance Bypass[62]
  • 2011: Permanent stations for Edmonds and Tukwila
  • 2009 to 2011: New King Street Coach Yard and maintenance facility (shared with Amtrak at Holgate Street)[63][64]
  • Parking shortages[65]
  • May 2013: One trainset used to provide extra Amtrak Cascades service to Bellingham after the I-5 Skagit River bridge collapse[66][67][68]
  • 2016: Milwaukee Road trestle replacement east of Tacoma Dome Station[69]
  • 2017: New maintenance base in Lakewood[70]
  • October 2018: Full PTC installation completed[71]
  • COVID-19 pandemic: Reduced service on both lines[72]
    • North Line: 2 round trips suspended
    • South Line: 4 round trips suspended (including most reverse peak runs)[73]: 34 
  • September 2021: Renamed to N and S Lines[74]
  • September 2022: South Line reduced from 7 cars to 5 cars until March 2023 due to staffing shortages at Amtrak[75]
  • Ridership fails to rebound following COVID recovery[76]
    • April 2020 report: 6 million annual riders on S Line by 2042
Future
  • 2020s: New station garages on S Line
    • Proceeding despite cost increases and lower ridership after pandemic (30% of prior); cost of $359 million, about $200 million more than budget[77]
  • New maintenance base in Lakewood on existing siding
  • Long-term: more South trips,[78] including midday and weekend per survey
Proposed extensions
  • Blaine/Everett (2001)[79]
    • Bellingham feeder (2005)[80]
  • McMillin/Orting (2005)
  • Eastside (2007)
  • DuPont (2016 ST3), pushed back from 2036 to 2045
  • Olympia?[81][82]
    • 2006 study from Thurston County endorses DuPont station with further advocacy for Olympia[83]
  • Cancelled stations: Edmonds Crossing (with ferry terminal; opted for 2011 renovation instead)
  • Infill stations: North Sumner, Shaw Road, Tacoma Mall (S 35th),[84] Ballard, Point Wells (Woodway)

Service and operations

[edit]
  • BNSF and Amtrak involvement
    • 2000: ST leased its rolling stock to Amtrak for $1; Amtrak subleased to BNSF; both agreements expire in 2040[85]
    • Amtrak maintenance contract[86]
    • Holgate Yard[87] shared with Amtrak (upgraded in 2009)[88][89]
  • Secondary train yard (Century Yard) in Lakewood[90]
  • Train trip numbering (500s)
  • On-time performance and reliability (from SIP)[91]
Special events service
  • Most regular season weekend Seattle Seahawks home games
  • Select weekend Seattle Mariners home games
  • Select weekend Seattle Sounders home games
  • Seattle Dragons (2020 only)[92]
  • Washington State Fair, two Saturdays in September; station TVMs sell fair tickets; shuttles between fairgrounds and station
  • Special 2015 U.S. Open service to University Place proposed with special platform at Chambers Bay, later canceled in November 2014[93][94]
    • Alternative shuttle plan[95]

Fares

[edit]
  • 2019 table[96]
  • Rail Plus program allows ORCA monthly pass holders to use some Cascades trips on north corridor[97]
    • Introduced in 2004[98]
  • Reduced fare approved in 2021, took effect March 1 for low-income (Lift) passengers[99]

Ridership

[edit]

The S Line is the busiest Sounder corridor, with 16,416 weekday boardings in 2018, and has 13 weekday round trips. It generally has longer trainsets than the N Line.

  • Cost per rider subsidy (and criticism), especially on N Line
  • 2019 ridership: 17,993 weekday average and 4.62 million total[100]

Rolling stock and equipment

[edit]
Main article: Sound Transit fleet § Sounder commuter rail
  • Maintenance facility at South Holgate Street in SODO, shared with Amtrak
    • Stored overnight at terminals and additional yards (Lakewood)
  • Maintained by Amtrak, staffed by BNSF?
  • 14 locomotives
  • 67 passenger cars: all Bombardier Bi-Levels (40 coaches, 27 cabs)
    • 11 more ordered in 2020[101]
      • To be built in Thudner Bay[102]
      • Delivery began in 2022 under new owner Alstom; $46.5 million contract in conjunction with San Joaquin and NCTD (San Diego) to reduce unit price[103]
Amenities[104][105]
  • 148 seats (4 wheelchair tie-downs)
  • Restrooms
  • Wi-Fi (began in 2009; improved in 2016)[106]
  • Tables
  • Power outlets
  • Overhead storage
  • Bicycle storage
  • Cup holders

Active fleet

[edit]
As of 2018[107]
Active rolling stock of Sounder commuter rail
No. Quantity Type Model Image Manufactured Notes
101–104 4 Cab car Bombardier BiLevel cab car 1999

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ http://media.bellinghamherald.com/static/images/downloads/JaredPaben/Amtrak_CrossBorderPassengerRailServicePlan[1].pdf
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Sound Transit Transit Development Plan 2024–2029" (PDF). Sound Transit. August 22, 2024. pp. 9, 24–25.
  3. ^ a b c "Sounder commuter rail" (PDF). Sound Transit. 2014 – via Washington State Department of Transportation.
  4. ^ "Public Transportation Ridership Report, Fourth Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. July 2, 2024. pp. 5–6.
  5. ^ Ruud, Candice (August 31, 2017). "Sound Transit will add two new Sounder trains between Seattle and Lakewood". The News Tribune. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  6. ^ Ramachandra, Sagar (March 1, 2023). "Weekend Sounder trains: not just for sports fans". The Platform. Sound Transit.
  7. ^ a b "Sounder South Strategic Development & Implementation Plan" (PDF). Sound Transit. April 2020. p. 6.
  8. ^ Mayock, Melanie (April 17, 2019). "System Expansion Spotlight: Sounder South". Sound Transit.
  9. ^ "Sound Transit Motion No. M2019-117" (PDF). Sound Transit. December 2019.
  10. ^ "Fare Revenue Report 2023" (PDF). Sound Transit. August 2024. pp. 9–13, 19–22.
  11. ^ a b c "Chapter 4: Operations Analysis". Service Development Plan for the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor Update, Final Update (PDF) (Report). Washington State Department of Transportation. September 2017. pp. 3–5, 8–12, 41–42 – via All Aboard Washington.
  12. ^ Mapes, Lynda V. (December 25, 2024). "Tunnels: Seattle's boring past filled with thrills". The Seattle Times.
  13. ^ Fields, David (June 29, 2017). "MarketFront sits just inches above an active train tunnel: Here's how". Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce.
  14. ^ a b c d e "Chapter Four: Existing Conditions". Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor Washington Segment – Columbia River to the Canadian Border: Program Environmental Assessment (PDF) (Report). Washington State Department of Transportation. September 2009. pp. 56–57. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2017.
  15. ^ Winters, Chris (July 14, 2015). "BNSF treats employees' families to ride in vintage coaches". The Everett Herald.
  16. ^ Banel, Feliks (October 10, 2018). "End of the line for Seattle's Salmon Bay Railroad Bridge?". KIRO Radio.
  17. ^ a b "There's no summer vacation for safety". Sound Transit. July 17, 2015.
  18. ^ Lindblom, Mike (September 5, 2013). "Project aimed to stop landslides on rail tracks north of Seattle". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014.
  19. ^ Sheets, Bill (July 13, 2011). "Nicer stop for commuters". The Everett Herald.
  20. ^ Salyer, Sharon (June 26, 2016). "Which track? Sounder passengers no longer have to guess". The Everett Herald. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
  21. ^ Sheets, Bill (October 14, 2012). "Buses a better deal than Sounder trains, panel says". The Everett Herald.
  22. ^ "Bayside and railroad history". The Seattle Times. July 4, 2007.
  23. ^ "Sounder N&S Line schedules" (PDF). Sound Transit. September 2024.
  24. ^ Cite error: The named reference FareReport was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  25. ^ Relente, Angelica (October 23, 2023). "Weekend and evening Sounder trains? Sound Transit wants to know if you're interested". Puyallup Herald.
  26. ^ Caldbick, John (January 7, 2015). "Milwaukee Road's S-Curve Trestle (Tacoma)". HistoryLink.
  27. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/blog/platform/sound-transit-replaces-wooden-train-bridge-over-former-tacoma-tidelands
  28. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/st_sharepoint/download/sites/PRDA/FinalRecords/2024/Report%20-%20Draft%20AGC%20Systemwide%20Master%20Plan%2011-21-24.pdf
  29. ^ https://www.psrc.org/sites/default/files/tipfhwa2018-followupqa-soundtransitssounderexpansion.pdf
  30. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/sounder-south-capacity-expansion/documents
  31. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/sounder-south-expansion-fact-sheet.pdf
  32. ^ "Washington State Rail Plan 2019–2040" (PDF). Washington State Department of Transportation. August 2020.
  33. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/ride-with-us/know-before-you-go/transit-accessibility
  34. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/2016-sounder-guide-to-art.pdf
  35. ^ "Sounder train stations". Sound Transit.
  36. ^ http://www.historylink.org/File/1683
  37. ^ Crowley, Walt (January 1, 2000). "Regional Transit Authority commuter train begins demonstration runs on January 28, 1995". HistoryLink.
  38. ^ FRA Docket Numbers SA–94–12 and RSGM–94–26
  39. ^ "The Regional Transit System Proposal" (PDF). Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority. February 1995.
  40. ^ "Sound Move: Launching a Rapid Transit System for the Puget Sound Region" (PDF). Sound Transit. May 31, 1996. p. 17.
  41. ^ ""Sound Transit" to be the Name for Regional Transit Authority Services" (Press release). Seattle, Washington: Sound Transit. August 15, 1997.
  42. ^ "Facts". Archived from the original on 2001-04-21.
  43. ^ "Sound Transit Resolution No. R99-5". Sound Transit. February 11, 1999.
  44. ^ Brooks, Diane; Lindblom, Mike (February 2, 2002). "Transit centers to debut Monday - Modern hubs for riders in Everett, Redmond". The Seattle Times. p. B1.
  45. ^ "Appendix A2: Station Site Screening" (PDF). Everett-Seattle Final Enviornmental Impact Statement (Report). Sound Transit. December 1999. p. 4.
  46. ^ "Sound Transit Resolution No. R2001-06" (PDF). Sound Transit. June 14, 2001.
  47. ^ "Sound Transit Motion No. M2000-05" (PDF). Sound Transit. January 13, 2000.
  48. ^ Goffredo, Theresa (February 5, 2002). "Everett's got a ticket to ride". The Everett Herald. The Washington Post Company. p. A1. ProQuest 333518467 – via ProQuest.
  49. ^ Goffredo, Theresa (September 26, 2002). "Everett Station gets Amtrak". The Everett Herald. The Washington Post Company. p. B2. ProQuest 333529585 – via ProQuest.
  50. ^ "Details of agreement Sound Transit reached". The Everett Herald. The Washington Post Company. May 29, 2003. p. A10. ProQuest 333529584 – via ProQuest.
  51. ^ https://issuu.com/cityofsumner/docs/130911164042-9a9c1069e87f4efe8f4cc841e426e4b5
  52. ^ "Quick facts on Sounder commuter rail service" (Press release). Seattle, Washington: Sound Transit. September 14, 2000.
  53. ^ Quigg, David (September 17, 2000). "All aboard! Sounder crew hopes practice will make Monday's opening day perfect". The News Tribune. p. A1.
  54. ^ "Sounder commuter rail service to Kent and Puyallup begins on Feb. 5, community celebration of Kent Sounder Station opening on Feb. 3" (Press release). Seattle, Washington: Sound Transit. January 26, 2000.
  55. ^ "Sumner ready to celebrate official opening of Sounder Station on March 10" (Press release). Seattle, Washington: Sound Transit. March 1, 2001.
  56. ^ "Sounder service to Tukwila starts on March 12" (Press release). Seattle, Washington: Sound Transit. March 5, 2001.
  57. ^ "Sounder Grand Opening Celebration in Puyallup May 5" (Press release). Seattle, Washington: Sound Transit. April 26, 2001.
  58. ^ "Sound Transit launches Sounder service between Everett and Seattle; first train filled to capacity" (Press release). Seattle, Washington: Sound Transit. December 21, 2003.
  59. ^ Tuinstra, Rachel (December 22, 2003). "Sounder train opens Everett-Seattle route". The Seattle Times. p. B1.
  60. ^ "Sound Transit launches Sounder commuter rail service to Mukilteo" (Press release). Seattle, Washington: Sound Transit. May 31, 2008.
  61. ^ Pesznecker, Scott (May 31, 2008). "Sounder begins service to Mukilteo today". The Everett Herald. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved May 31, 2008.
  62. ^ "Sound Transit to hold ribbon-cutting Saturday to celebrate start of Sounder service to Lakewood and South Tacoma on Monday" (Press release). Seattle, Washington: Sound Transit. October 3, 2012.
  63. ^ https://www.arema.org/files/library/2013_Conference_Proceedings/King_Street_Coach_Yard-Design-Build_Approach_for_Success.pdf
  64. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/sounder-maintenance-base-sepa-addendum.pdf
  65. ^ https://www.heraldnet.com/news/edmonds-tight-parking-situation-hurts-sounder-use/
  66. ^ "New Amtrak Cascades trains to roll between Seattle and Bellingham beginning Friday, May 31" (Press release). Sound Transit. May 30, 2013.
  67. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review-divers-extracting-s/161537953/
  68. ^ https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2013/05/i-5_bridge_collapse_amtrak_add.html
  69. ^ https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/traffic/article81242772.html
  70. ^ https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/press-release/12213454/sound-transit-sound-transit-selects-site-for-sounder-maintenance-base
  71. ^ https://www.king5.com/article/news/sound-transit-fully-equipped-with-life-saving-positive-train-control/281-d01d901f-f3e0-4655-a5dc-00ea2897d6c3
  72. ^ "Reduced service schedule: Sounder" (PDF). Sound Transit. March 2020.
  73. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/2021-service-plan.pdf
  74. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/fct_st-line-names_ext-and-internal_stakeholders-202102_0.pdf
  75. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/blog/platform/heads-temporary-changes-to-sounder-s-line
  76. ^ https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/sounder-trains-future-in-limbo-as-ridership-is-slow-to-return/
  77. ^ https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/as-people-work-from-home-sound-transit-bets-350m-on-3-new-parking-garages/
  78. ^ "Sounder South Capacity Expansion Fact Sheet" (PDF). Sound Transit. July 2019.
  79. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20031004062538/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/rail/plans/everettblaine.cfm
  80. ^ Velush, Lukas (October 28, 2005). "North commuter trains sought". The Everett Herald.
  81. ^ Carson, Rob (October 7, 2012). "Sounder a long time coming". The News Tribune. p. A16.
  82. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20040701222242/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov:80/rail/plans/FARExec.cfm
  83. ^ 2006 Thurston Passenger Rail Workgroup Findings
  84. ^ http://cms.cityoftacoma.org/Planning/Tacoma%20Mall%20Subarea/Tacoma%20Mall%20Subarea%20Plan_April2018.pdf
  85. ^ "2023 Sound Transit Comprehensive Financial Report" (PDF). Sound Transit. July 31, 2024. p. 77.
  86. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/st_sharepoint/download/sites/PRDA/FinalRecords/Motion%20M2014-71.pdf
  87. ^ https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/amtraks-seattle-maintenance-base-plans-would-take-over-a-sodo-street/
  88. ^ https://books.google.com/books?id=uCZEco5DSeIC&pg=PA13&lpg=PA13
  89. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/st_sharepoint/download/sites/PRDA/FinalRecords/Motion%20M2010-28.pdf
  90. ^ Johnson, Shea (March 29, 2024). "Woman rode train home to Puyallup but didn't get off. What happened aboard the Sounder?". The News Tribune.
  91. ^ "2020 Service Implementation Plan" (PDF). Sound Transit. November 2019. pp. 17, 38–40.
  92. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/seattle-dragons-game-day-sounder-trains-will-run-saturday
  93. ^ Baker, Geoff (November 18, 2014). "U.S. Open fans won't be able to take Sounder trains". The Seattle Times.
  94. ^ https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article25895395.html
  95. ^ https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/golf/usga-working-hard-to-ensure-smooth-transportation-for-us-open-at-chambers-bay-in-june/
  96. ^ "Sounder train fares". Sound Transit. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019.
  97. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/ride-with-us/how-to-pay/rail-plus-program
  98. ^ "The New Math: Sound Transit + Amtrak Cascades = RailPlus" (Press release). Sound Transit. September 17, 2004.
  99. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/ride-with-us/changes-affect-my-ride/sounder-2021-fare-change
  100. ^ "Q4 2019 Service Delivery Quarterly Performance Report" (PDF). Sound Transit. February 27, 2020.
  101. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/st_sharepoint/download/sites/PRDA/ActiveDocuments/Motion%20M2020-27.pdf
  102. ^ https://www.railway-technology.com/news/bombardier-to-provide-28-bilevel-commuter-rail-cars-to-sound-transit/
  103. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/sound-transit-receives-new-sounder-cars
  104. ^ http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/partners/erp/background/3-4_About%20the%20Agency-ST%20Sounder%20Commuter%20Rail.pdf
  105. ^ "Sounder South Strategic Development & Implementation Plan" (PDF). Sound Transit. April 2020. p. 5.
  106. ^ Lynn, Adam (September 17, 2016). "Sounder commuter trains soon will have better Wi-Fi". The News Tribune.
  107. ^ "2019 Service Implementation Plan" (PDF). Sound Transit. November 2018. p. 221.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sounder commuter rail.

Sounder North Line

[edit]
Sounder North Line
Overview
Other name(s)Sounder Northline
StatusOperating
OwnerSound Transit
LocaleSnohomish County and Seattle, Washington
Termini
Stations4
Websitesoundtransit.org
Service
TypeCommuter rail
SystemSounder commuter rail
Operator(s)BNSF Railway
Daily ridership1,737 (2017)
History
OpenedDecember 26, 2003 (2003-12-26)
Technical
Line length34 mi (55 km)
CharacterAt-grade and underground
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The Sounder North Line is a 34-mile-long (55 km) commuter rail line on the BNSF Scenic Subdivision between Everett and Seattle in the U.S. state of Washington, owned by Sound Transit and operated by BNSF Railway.

Route

[edit]

Stations

[edit]

History

[edit]
Planning
  • 1995: "Try Rail" campaign using leased GO Transit bi-level trains from January to March, serving Everett, Edmonds, Seattle, Kent and Tacoma[1]
  • 1995: RTA proposes commuter rail service from Everett to Lakewood, scheduled to launch in 1997 or 1998, pending a vote (that would later fail) on March 14, 1995[2]
    • Provisional stations on Sounder North: Richmond Beach, Ballard, and Interbay
    • Additional stations in Seattle: Interbay, Pike Place Market, Georgetown, and Boeing Access Road
    • Bond Street Station (Everett) served alongside new Everett Station
  • 1996-05-31: Sound Move adopted by ST Board, including commuter rail from Everett to Lakewood via Seattle[3]
    • Provisional stations at Richmond Beach, Ballard; Bond Street Station kept
  • 1997-08-15: RTA board adopts "Sounder" as name for commuter rail service[4]
  • 1998: EPA concerns about intertidal zones forces delay?
  • 1999-02-11: ST Board approves work on Everett Multi-modal Facility for Sounder commuter rail and ST Express bus service, using $14.385 million designated by 1996 Sound Move initiative[5]
  • 1999-11-02: Initiative 695 causes car-tab tax cuts that postpone Sounder commuter service to Everett and Edmonds[6]
  • 1999 Sounder North FEISA published[7]
  • 2001-06-14: Bond Street Station (Everett) removed from Sounder North plans[8]
    • "Difficulties associated with the Bond Street site included parking constraints, marginal transit access, and traffic impacts to local streets. Patrons who would have used the Bond Street site will be well served by the Everett Station site. The City of Everett has chosen to focus its attention on the Everett Station facility, in an effort to provide one centralized multi-modal facility. Savings from this project could potentially be used for other commuter rail projects in Everett."[9]
  • 2002-02-04: Everett Station opens, without rail service[10]
  • 2003-05-28: 97-year lease signed by ST and BNSF, enabling Sounder commuter service on the North Line for $224 million; 1 train at debut, stopping at Edmonds, with 4 daily trains planned after track improvements[11]
Service history
  • 2003-12-26: North Line begins service, from Everett and Edmonds to Seattle[12][13]
  • 2008-05-30: Mukilteo Station opens on North Line[14][15]
Proposed extension
  • 1999: Arlington, Marysville and Tulalip Tribes propose joining Sound Transit RTA district for Sounder North service on existing BNSF tracks[16]

Landslide cancellations and mitigation

[edit]

Operation

[edit]
  • 2-car trains for some trips

Ridership

[edit]
  • 2017: 1,737 daily[17]
  • Criticisms in 2012

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Crowley, Walt (January 1, 2000). "Regional Transit Authority commuter train begins demonstration runs on January 28, 1995". HistoryLink.
  2. ^ "The Regional Transit System Proposal" (PDF). Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority. February 1995.
  3. ^ "Sound Move: Launching a Rapid Transit System for the Puget Sound Region" (PDF). Sound Transit. May 31, 1996. p. 17.
  4. ^ ""Sound Transit" to be the Name for Regional Transit Authority Services" (Press release). Seattle, Washington: Sound Transit. August 15, 1997.
  5. ^ "Sound Transit Resolution No. R99-5". Sound Transit. February 11, 1999.
  6. ^ Brooks, Diane; Lindblom, Mike (February 2, 2002). "Transit centers to debut Monday - Modern hubs for riders in Everett, Redmond". The Seattle Times. p. B1.
  7. ^ "Appendix A2: Station Site Screening" (PDF). Everett-Seattle Final Enviornmental Impact Statement (Report). Sound Transit. December 1999. p. 4.
  8. ^ "Sound Transit Resolution No. R2001-06" (PDF). Sound Transit. June 14, 2001.
  9. ^ "Sound Transit Motion No. M2000-05" (PDF). Sound Transit. January 13, 2000.
  10. ^ Goffredo, Theresa (February 5, 2002). "Everett's got a ticket to ride". The Everett Herald. The Washington Post Company. p. A1. ProQuest 333518467 – via ProQuest. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |subscription= ignored (|url-access= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ "Details of agreement Sound Transit reached". The Everett Herald. The Washington Post Company. May 29, 2003. p. A10. ProQuest 333529584 – via ProQuest. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |subscription= ignored (|url-access= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "Sound Transit launches Sounder service between Everett and Seattle; first train filled to capacity" (Press release). Seattle, Washington: Sound Transit. December 21, 2003.
  13. ^ Tuinstra, Rachel (December 22, 2003). "Sounder train opens Everett-Seattle route". The Seattle Times. p. B1.
  14. ^ "Sound Transit launches Sounder commuter rail service to Mukilteo" (Press release). Seattle, Washington: Sound Transit. May 31, 2008.
  15. ^ Pesznecker, Scott (May 31, 2008). "Sounder begins service to Mukilteo today". The Everett Herald. The Washington Post. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |acccessdate= (help)
  16. ^ Brooks, Diane (May 10, 1999). "Trains Might Go Farther North". The Seattle Times.
  17. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/2017-q4-service-delivery-performance-report.pdf
[edit]

Everett station (1910–2002)

[edit]
Everett
General information
Location2900 Bond Street
Everett, Washington
United States
Owned byBNSF Railway
Platforms1 side platform
Tracks1
Train operatorsGreat Northern Railway (1910–1970)
Burlington Northern
Amtrak (1977–2002)

Everett Station, also known as the Bond Street Station, was a railroad station in Everett, Washington that was built in 1910 and replaced in 2002 by a new facility. Originally built in the Mission style for the Great Northern Railway in 1910, the station was rejected as a Sounder commuter rail station in 2000.

History

[edit]

Old images, possibly PD

  • 1892: Work begins on downtown Everett tunnel[1][2]
    • Completed in 1905; seven blocks from east to west parallel to Hewitt Avenue[3]
  • March 3, 1900: Passenger service to Everett by Seattle & International Railway begins[4]
  • 1910: Built for GN[5]
    • 2 platforms at 2 tracks, different elevations (upper EB/Chicago; stairs and tunnel for lower NB/Vancouver)
    • Mission style
  • 1960s: Renovated to remove Mission-style features
  • 1981-10: Empire Builder service added[6]
  • 1995: Try Rail[7][8]
  • 1996: Sound Move[9][10]
  • 2000: Removed from Sounder[11]
  • 2002-11: Trains move to new station; converted to BNSF office

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Whitfield 1926, p. 359
  2. ^ Cameron et al, p. 137
  3. ^ Dorpat, Paul; McCovy, Genevieve (1998). Building Washington: A History of Washington State Public Works. Seattle: Tartu Publications. p. 153. ISBN 0-9614357-9-8. OCLC 40406154.
  4. ^ Whitfield, p. 364
  5. ^ Brooks, Diane (July 4, 2007). "Bayside and railroad history". The Seattle Times.
  6. ^ "Seattle-Spokane Amtrak route returns". The Seattle Times. October 26, 1981. p. C2.
  7. ^ Schafer, David (January 31, 1995). "New Train Picks Up Steam—Experimental Commuter-Rail Service Gains Passengers With Every Run". The Seattle Times.
  8. ^ Crowley, Walt (January 1, 2000). "Regional Transit Authority commuter train begins demonstration runs on January 28, 1995". HistoryLink.
  9. ^ "Sound Move: Launching a Rapid Transit System for the Puget Sound Region" (PDF). Sound Transit. May 31, 1996. p. 20.
  10. ^ "Appendix A2: Station Site Screening" (PDF). Everett-Seattle Final Environmental Impact Statement (Report). Sound Transit. December 1999. p. 4.
  11. ^ "Sound Transit Motion No. M2000-05" (PDF). Sound Transit. January 13, 2000.

Great Northern Tunnel

[edit]
Great Northern Tunnel
Technical
Length5,141 feet (1,567 m)
No. of tracks2
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) (standard gauge)
Tunnel clearance28 feet (8.5 m)
Width38 feet (12 m)

The Great Northern Tunnel is a railway tunnel located in Downtown Seattle, Washington. The 5,141 feet (1,567 m)[1] tunnel is owned by the BNSF Railway and is used for freight shipment as well as passenger rail service from Amtrak and Sound Transit.

Description

[edit]

The tunnel runs from northwest to southeast under Downtown Seattle from Pike Place Market to King Street Station.

  • Height and width

History

[edit]
  • HistoryLink
  • At the time it was built, it was the tallest and widest tunnel in the United States at 28 feet (8.5 m) high and 30 feet (9.1 m) wide.
  • 1915 lawsuit with library over settlement of 3 feet[2]
  • 1977: Amtrak service begins
  • 1988: Bus tunnel construction (crosses twice)
  • 2003: Sounder North service begins
  • 2019: Viaduct removal over north portal
Safety hazards
  • Sound Transit concerns in 1990s
  • City of Seattle proposes safety and ventilation systems[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Robinson, Robert A.; Cox, Edward; Dirks, Martin (2002). "Tunneling in Seattle — A History of Innovation". North American Tunnelling Conference.
  2. ^ Becker, Paula (July 1, 2011). "Central Library, 1906-1957, The Seattle Public Library". HistoryLink.
  3. ^ http://www.thestranger.com/blogs/slog/2015/07/22/22581992/mike-obrien-and-the-mayor-have-a-new-piece-of-oil-train-safety-resolution-but-will-it-actually-protect-us

Union Station (Seattle)

[edit]
Existing FAs and GAs: Union Station (Erie, Pennsylvania)
Union Station
General information
Location401 South Jackson Street
Seattle, Washington
Owned bySound Transit
Train operatorsUnion Pacific Railroad (1911–1971)
Milwaukee Road (1911–1961)
History
OpenedMay 20, 1911 (1911-05-20)
ClosedApril 30, 1971 (1971-04-30)
Union Station
Location4th Ave. S. and S. Jackson St.
Seattle, Washington
Built1910–11
ArchitectDaniel J. Patterson
Architectural styleBeaux Arts
NRHP reference No.74001960
Added to NRHPAugust 30, 1974

Union Station is an office building and historic train station in Seattle, Washington, United States. It serves as the headquarters of Sound Transit, the region's transit authority, and is adjacent to a complex of modern office buildings.

Originally named the Oregon and Washington Station, the station was built between 1910 and 1911 for joint use by the Union Pacific Railroad and Milwaukee Road. A similar union station, King Street Station, was built across 4th Avenue for the Great Northern Railway and Northern Pacific Railway in 1906. The railroad station, later renamed to Union Station, was designed by Daniel J. Patterson in the Beaux Arts style and featured many classical ornaments. Milwaukee Road ceased passenger service to Seattle in 1961, and was followed by Union Pacific in 1971; King Street remains the city's only intercity passenger train station, served by Amtrak and Sounder commuter rail.

Union Station sat unused for several decades while various developers attempted to make use of the station and its land. An underground bus station was built adjacent to the station in 1990, along with a concrete lid designed for future development. A complex of office buildings was opened on the former site of the station's tracks and platforms in 2000. The station itself was renovated in 1999 to serve as Sound Transit's headquarters.

Design

[edit]
  • Dimensions: 150 feet by 220 feet
  • Structural steel with concrete walls (early use)[1]
  • 55-ft vaulted ceiling above "Great Hall" (60 feet wide, 160 feet long)
  • Terra cotta and brick over reinforced concrete
  • 3-story office wings (original)[2]
  • Former platforms below, connected by ramps and stairs
New layout
  • Garden Level on east side, facing platform level of ID/Chinatown Station
    • Former location of immigration office and baggage area
  • Basement level subdivided into cubicles in middle surrounded by conference rooms and offices[3]

History

[edit]

The first major railroad terminal in Seattle was King Street Station, opened in 1906 for the Great Northern Railway and Northern Pacific Railway at the end of the Great Northern Tunnel. The railroads, owned by magnate James J. Hill, had been competing for control of the Pacific Northwest market with the Union Pacific Railroad and Oregon–Washington Railroad, both owned by Edward H. Harriman. Union Pacific had begun planning a Seattle terminal of their own at the same time, and the city government awarded them the right to build a terminal on March 6, 1908.[4][5] The Union Pacific terminal would be built across 4th Avenue from King Street Station at the site of a coal gasification plant along Jackson Street, which had been regraded to produce level ground for the below-grade railyard.

  • Resources: books and EIS at SPL Central
    • NBBJ report on Transportation Center, for Metro (1973)
    • Books on American railroad stations: Edwin P. Alexander (1970), John Albert Droege (1916), H. Roger Grant (1993), Thomas E. Jessett (1972), Janet Greenstein Potter (1996), Jack W. Seto (1978)
  • First gas plant at site of Jackson & 4th (prior to regrade)
    • circa 1901: Popular swimming hole (filled by high tide)[6]
  • 1906: Jackson regrade, King Street Station
  • 1907: Tour by UP magnate E. H. Harriman to scout a possible Seattle terminus[7]
  • 1908-03-06: City of Seattle grants franchise and terminal rights to Oregon-Washington Railway and UP
    • Agreement includes widening of nearby streets (on pillars)
    • Planned to be completed before World's Fair (June 1909)[4]: 21 
  • Tide areas were dredged and filled
  • 1910-01: Construction begins
  • Replaced Georgetown depot[8]
  • 1911-05-01: Completed for occupancy
  • 1911-05-20: Dedication ceremony[9]
    • "Handsomest on Harriman's lines"[4]: 23 
  • 1911-05-28: Train service begins at Oregon and Washington Station
  • 1945: Service peak during WWII (troops returning), with 40 arrivals and departures per day
  • 1961-05-22: Milwaukee Road ceases operation of Olympian Hiawatha[10]
  • 1971-04-30: Union Pacific ceases
Post-closure
  • Great Hall used for occasional events, while rest of station sat vacant[11][12]
  • 1977: Used by Antique World (antiques store)[13]
  • 1986: Mayor Royer proposes renovation into new city hall with new office complex,[14] lost out to report recommending rebuilding city hall at current site (opened in 2003)[15]
  • 1990: International District bus tunnel station opens
Renovation
  • 1998: Sound Transit purchases station for $1 contingent on renovation, land remains owned by Union Station Associates[16]
  • Renovation project includes installing 16 miles of conduit and communications lines[17]
  • 1999: Renovation for Sound Transit completed[18]
    • Renovation won a National Trust Award
    • Site cleanup and mitigation[19]
  • 2000: Union Station complex opens?
    • Owned by Union Station Associates (partnership between Paul Allen and the Nitze-Stagen Company)[20]
    • Opus Center (south of Weller walkway) opens on top of garage and bus tunnel lid[21][22]
      • Former site of coal plant[23]
  • 2001: Nisqually earthquake leaves some damage that is repaired
    • Great Hall closed for several months to inspect damage to ceiling and repair cracks[24]
  • 2013: 605 and 625 buildings sold to Seattle Union Station LLC[25]
  • 2017: Great Hall renamed for Joni Earl[26]
  • March 2020 to June 27, 2024: Great Hall closed to public due to COVID and other issues; only open for public meetings and use[27]
Proposals
  • 1957: Rapid transit/bus/heliport/parking garage
  • 1975: Port of Seattle
  • Multimodal transit hub: 1978 (Northwest Trailways)[28]
  • 2018: Light rail platforms for Ballard Extension (or 4th Avenue option)

Former service

[edit]

Office complex

[edit]
Tenants
  • Sound Transit at four buildings[29]
    • Expansion after ST3 into 705 Building[30]
  • Getty Images
  • ADP
  • Wells Fargo
  • Amazon (formerly)[31]
Retailers
[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ https://web6.seattle.gov/DPD/HistoricalSite/QueryResult.aspx?ID=1327127288
  2. ^ https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/e8d4e2c5-eb8c-4547-8db7-26d5fe52e990
  3. ^ Wodnik, Bob (2019). Back on Track: Sound Transit's Fight to Save Light Rail. Pullman, Washington: Washington State University Press. pp. 44–45. ISBN 9780874223699. OCLC 1098220735.
  4. ^ a b c Crowley, Walt; MacIntosh, Heather (1999). The Story of Union Station in Seattle. History Ink. OCLC 42880659.
  5. ^ Crowley & MacIntosh (1999), p. 20
  6. ^ Conover, C. T. (July 8, 1951). "Some Stray Notes About Pioneer Banking and Bankers". The Seattle Times. p. 6.
  7. ^ Crowley & MacIntosh (1999), p. 20
  8. ^ https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/georgetowns-train-depot-didnt-last-long/
  9. ^ http://www.historylink.org/File/935
  10. ^ "Olympian Hiawatha In Last Run Here". The Seattle Times. May 23, 1961. p. 46.
  11. ^ http://old.seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2015109968_unionstation21m.html
  12. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/st_sharepoint/download/sites/PRDA/FinalRecords/2010/Resolution%20R2010-08.pdf
  13. ^ Belanger, Herb (October 16, 1977). "Game-day fun near the Dome". The Seattle Times. p. 7.
  14. ^ Schaefer, David (February 16, 1986). "New home for the city?". The Seattle Times. p. A1.
  15. ^ Maier, Scott (March 12, 1988). "City may bid on 2 historic buildings". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. p. B1.
  16. ^ https://www.historylink.org/File/22515
  17. ^ Wodnik, Bob (2019). Back on Track: Sound Transit's Fight to Save Light Rail. Pullman, Washington: Washington State University Press. p. 29. ISBN 9780874223699. OCLC 1098220735.
  18. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/About-Sound-Transit/News-and-events/News-releases/News-release-archive/Seattles-historic-Union-Station-to-become-Sound-Transit-headquarters
  19. ^ https://apps.ecology.wa.gov/cleanupsearch/site/3858
  20. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20010217135554/http://www.soundtransit.org/wave/fallwave/union.html
  21. ^ https://www.djc.com/special/unionstation/
  22. ^ https://www.djc.com/news/const/11115752.html
  23. ^ https://www.djc.com/news/const/11115774.html
  24. ^ Wodnik, Bob (2019). Back on Track: Sound Transit's Fight to Save Light Rail. Pullman, Washington: Washington State University Press. p. 96. ISBN 9780874223699. OCLC 1098220735.
  25. ^ https://www.seattletimes.com/business/union-station-buildings-sold/
  26. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/About-Sound-Transit/News-and-events/News-releases/union-station-s-great-hall-renamed-honor-joni-earl
  27. ^ "Joni Earl Great Hall at Union Station Reopens to the Public" (Press release). Sound Transit. June 27, 2024.
  28. ^ Moriwaki, Lee (November 12, 1978). "Plan would convert Union Station into showcase". The Seattle Times. p. M5.
  29. ^ https://www.des.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-06/ST_CampusMap_625.pdf
  30. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/st_sharepoint/download/sites/PRDA/ActiveDocuments/Motion%20M2024-34.pdf
  31. ^ https://www.djc.com/news/const/11115751.html
  32. ^ https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/tv/amazonrsquos-lsquoman-in-the-high-castlersquo-off-to-a-fantastic-start/

King Street Station

[edit]

Design and architecture

[edit]

King Street Station is located at the intersection of South Jackson Street and 3rd Avenue South, at the southeast corner of the Pioneer Square neighborhood in Downtown Seattle. The station is recessed below street level, with entrances at South Jackson Street and at South King Street. Commuter rail passengers use a separate set of entrances along South Weller Street and the north side of South Jackson Street.

The station building stands three stories tall, with a 242-foot (74 m) clocktower, and is primarily of brick masonry and terra cotta construction with stone elements.[1] It was designed by Reed and Stem in the "Railroad Italiane" style,[2] in contrast to their later Classical work as co-architects of New York City's Grand Central Terminal,[citation needed] and the clocktower was based on the St Mark's Campanile bell tower in Venice.

  • Tower design based on St Mark's Campanile in Venice, furnished with clock
    • 254-feet tall, tallest structure in Seattle until completion of Smith Tower in 1914[3]
  • Brick and terra cotta
  • Upper floors: formerly GN/NP offices, later art galleries and potential food hub
  • Former amenities: coffee shop, dining hall, oak benches, compass terrazzo floor[4]
  • Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge not offered
Public art
  • Weller Street Bridge: "Bridge Between Cultures" (Nanda D'Agostino and Valerie Otani)[5][6]

History

[edit]

Seattle was initially passed over as the terminus for the Northern Pacific Railway, who instead chose Tacoma 40 miles (64 km) to the south in 1873. Local businessmen in Seattle organized their own railroad company, the Seattle and Walla Walla Railroad, which would only run to Newcastle. The railroad was acquired by the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company, who reorganized it as the Seattle and Walla Walla Railroad and built a modest, two-story depot at Railroad Avenue and Columbia Street in 1880 that served as the city's first train station.[7]

  • Earlier railroad stations: 1880 at Columbia Street & Railroad Ave by SLS&E (later for GN),[8] 1890 by NPRR, calls for a grander station to spur economic development (and win rivalry with Tacoma)[9]
    • 1892 at Columbia?[10]
  • GN Tunnel opens
  • 1904: Construction begins
  • 1906-05-09: Ticket offices for GN and NP moved
  • 1906-05-10: Station "opens" with unfinished interior[11]
    • Dispute over name persisted until August 1906
  • 1910: Joined by Union Station across 4th
  • 1960s: Escalator added
  • 1967: Drop ceiling added
  • 1971-05-01: Amtrak consolidates service into King Street
  • 1973: NRHP listing as part of Pioneer Square Historic District (under Uhlman administration)

Commuter rail

[edit]
  • 1973 NBBJ study
  • 1990s study proposing bus viaduct and other features
    • Interest from Greyhound and Gray Line for integrated hub; Metro proposes commuter rail from Auburn or Tacoma or Olympia[12]
  • 1999-07: Weller Street bridge opens ahead of Sounder debut[13]

Restoration and expansion

[edit]
  • Prior condition described as "awful, an embarrassment" by Amtrak president Tom Downs (1995)[14]
    • BN moved dispatch and offices out, leaving upper floors vacant[12]
  • 2001: $43 renovation plan submitted to legislature[15]

Designed by ZGF[16][17][18]

  • 2006-11: Seattle agrees to purchase station from BNSF
    • Finalized in early 2008
  • 2008: Clock tower repaired and reactivated
    • Microwave radio antennas removed
  • July 2009: Phase I (restored roof and terra cotta) completed
  • July 2011: Jackson Plaza opened; streetcar infrastructure below
  • August 2011: Geothermal well for heating and other exterior work
  • April 2012: Amtrak baggage and ticketing
  • March 2012: Seismic retrofit and interior restoration begins
  • Completed on April 24, 2013, cost $56 million (funded partially by HSR grant and Bridging the Gap levy)[19]
  • 2016–17: Platform expansion to the west
  • 2019: Third floor converted to arts space[20]

Future

[edit]
  • ST proposals for new entrance at Seattle Boulevard, improvements as part of South Downtown Hub (formerly Jackson Hub)[21]
  • 2024 improvement proposal: More stairs and elevators, concourse above Sounder platform, longer platform[22]

Services and layout

[edit]
  • 2017 description: 7 station tracks and 3 platforms to serve tracks 1/2 (Sounder only), 3/4, and 5/6[23]
    • Track 3 (through) for Amtrak long-distance tracks
  • 2022 description: 7 tracks (3 thru, 2 BNSF mainline, 4 south-facing terminating tracks); three center platforms and one side platform[24]
    • Tracks 3 and 4 for Sounder; tracks 5 through 8 for Amtrak; track 9 for special Sounder events[24]: 64 

Amtrak

[edit]
  • Terminating platforms
    • Uses tracks 5 to 9[25]
  • Pioneer (until 1997)
  • 15th busiest on the Amtrak system (2016)

Commuter rail

[edit]
  • Weller Bridge
  • New platform used for South Line during sports events (2018)[26][27]

Other transit connections

[edit]
  • Coastal Passage by Rocky Mountaineer
  • King Street taxi level: Thruway, Dungeness Line, Northwestern Trailways
    • No Greyhound because of dispute?[28]
  • 4th & Jackson stops: Metro, ST, CT
  • International District/Chinatown station
  • Streetcar (5th)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ https://web6.seattle.gov/DPD/HistoricalSite/QueryResult.aspx?ID=1657836700
  2. ^ https://crosscut.com/2013/04/back-track-seattles-renovated-king-street-station
  3. ^ Cleveland, Carl M. (October 14, 1979). "When King Street Station was king". The Seattle Times. pp. 6–7.
  4. ^ https://www.4culture.org/public_art/bridge-between-cultures/
  5. ^ Miller, Brian (April 28, 2009). "Seattle's Free Public Art Safari". Seattle Weekly.
  6. ^ http://www.historylink.org/File/1697
  7. ^ "Seattle Tunnel Now 50 Years Old". The Seattle Times. January 30, 1955. p. 11.
  8. ^ http://www.historylink.org/File/1697
  9. ^ http://www.historylink.org/File/1683
  10. ^ http://historylink.org/File/3643
  11. ^ a b Gough, William (January 22, 1991). "Restored railway station is envisioned". The Seattle Times.
  12. ^ https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/1999/07/19/story1.html
  13. ^ Torvik, Solveig (June 11, 1995). "Dumpy depot: King Street Station a pauper among its peers". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. p. F1.
  14. ^ https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2001/01/29/story1.html
  15. ^ https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/7556-king-street-station
  16. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20120519053739/http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/kingstreet.htm
  17. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20140808114258/http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/docs/ks/KSS_poster_2010FINAL_4x8.pdf
  18. ^ Lindblom, Mike (April 25, 2013). "Dingy depot's beauty reborn". The Seattle Times. p. A1.
  19. ^ https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/visual-arts/arts-at-king-street-station-and-its-inaugural-y%C9%99haw%CC%93-exhibit-democratize-what-an-arts-space-can-be/
  20. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/king-street-station-update-fall-2023.pdf
  21. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/project-updates/public-feedback-period-open-king-street-station-platform
  22. ^ "Chapter 4: Operations Analysis". Service Development Plan for the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor Update, Final Update (PDF) (Report). Washington State Department of Transportation. September 2017. p. 49 – via All Aboard Washington.
  23. ^ a b "King Street Station Area Platform Improvements Project Final Alternatives Analysis" (PDF). Sound Transit. July 2022. p. 3.
  24. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/ride-with-us/how-to-pay/rail-plus-program
  25. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/blog/platform/seahawks-train-new-stop-sounder-fans-coming-south
  26. ^ https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/news-releases/sounder-seahawks-game-day-trains-start-sunday-2
  27. ^ https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2011/12/22/will-greyhound-find-a-new-home-at-king.html

Seattle Subdivision

[edit]

The Seattle Subdivision is a railroad in the U.S. state of Washington, spanning 136.5 miles (219.7 km) from Seattle to Vancouver. It is owned and operated by BNSF Railway, connecting to the Scenic Subdivision in Seattle and Fallbridge Subdivision in Vancouver. The railroad is used for BNSF's freight service as well as Amtrak's Cascades and Coast Starlight passenger trains.

It was built in the late 19th century by the Great Northern Railway and its subsidiaries, forming one of two north–south railroads between Seattle and Portland, Oregon. The final segment, between Kalama and Vancouver, was completed in 1908. Great Northern was merged into the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1970, alongside Great Northern and three other major railroads.

Route

[edit]

The railroad begins at the western terminus of the Scenic Subdivision, King Street Station in Downtown Seattle, south of the Great Northern Tunnel. It travels south through SoDo, passing under the retractable roof of Safeco Field and near the Amtrak maintenance facility at South Holgate Street.

History

[edit]
  • 1884: Puget Sound Shore Railroad (NP) from Seattle to Tacoma
  • 1901: Kalama to Vancouver not yet built; rail ferry used to connect with line from Goble, Oregon[1]
  • 1908: Columbia River bridge completed by SP&S, along with railroad from Kalama to Vancouver ("North Bank road")[2]
  • 1970: BN acquires NP and GN
  • 2016: Triple tracking in Tukwila and Kent-Auburn

Service

[edit]
  • Freight: trains per day; capacity of 70 trains (55 average trains in 2008)[3]
  • Passenger: Cascades, Coast Starlight, Sounder South, excursions

References

[edit]
  1. ^ https://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~213320~5500961:Washington-
  2. ^ http://www.historylink.org/File/8702
  3. ^ http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/34925D95-4F59-44B6-90DD-6BE102B33C15/0/StateFreightRailPlan.pdf

Skagit Station

[edit]
Skagit Station
General information
Location105 East Kincaid Street
Mount Vernon, Washington, US
Owned bySkagit Transit
Line(s)BNSF Railway: Bellingham Subdivision
Platforms1 side platform
Tracks1
Bus stands8
Bus operatorsSkagit Transit, Island Transit, Whatcom Transportation Authority, Greyhound Lines
Construction
AccessibleYes
Other information
Station codeMVW
History
OpenedSeptember 13, 2004
Services
Preceding station Amtrak Following station
Stanwood
toward Eugene
 Amtrak Cascades Bellingham
toward Vancouver, British Columbia

Skagit Station, also known as the Skagit Transportation Center, is a train station and multimodal transit center in the city of Mount Vernon, Washington, United States. It is served by several daily Amtrak Cascades trains, as well as local and commuter buses operated by Skagit Transit, Island Transit, and the Whatcom Transportation Authority. The station is located in downtown Mount Vernon, adjacent to the intersection of Interstate 5 and State Route 536.

The station was opened in September 2004, replacing an earlier facility on College Way near Burlington that opened in 1968. The downtown station was sited near an earlier passenger and freight depot constructed by the Great Northern Railway in 1891.

Description

[edit]
  • Architects: Arai Jackson Ellison Murakami
  • Timber and brick use to recall historic use of downtown[1]
  • Interior space: 6,600 square feet[2]
  • Community meeting room[3]
  • Chamber of Commerce offices[4]: 202 

History

[edit]

Mount Vernon was founded in 1877 and its first railroad was built in August 1891 as part of the Seattle and Northern Railroad, later acquired by the Great Northern Railway.[6][7] The city's first railroad depot was located at the intersection of Kincaid Street and 3rd Street, west of the current station, and was used for over a half-century.

Older stations and service
  • 1891: GN's first depot?
    • November 27, 1891: GN excursion train with Seattle Chamber stops in Mount Vernon for celebration of line's opening[8]
    • Regular service began on December 7
    • Sandborn map places it at Kincaid & 3rd, on west side of tracks near GN Hotel[9]
  • 1909: Burlington depot opened
  • 1912: Mount Vernon depot expanded to double size; canopies added in 1913[10]
  • Interurban terminal at Kincaid & 1st[11]
  • 1967: New depot announced to replace dilapidated Mount Vernon and Burlington downtown depots; 1,500 sq ft waiting room, 90-by-30 foot structure, similar to Quincy depot, large parking lot; contract cost of $91,714[12]
  • April 26, 1968: GN opens station at 725 College Way to replace Burlington and Mount Vernon depots[10][13]
    • Old depot demolished on August 18, 1968?[14]
    • Later used by Amtrak as Mt. Vernon–Burlington (Skagit Valley), now a BNSF office[15]
  • 1972: Amtrak re-introduces Vancouver services
  • September 1981: Pacific International service is cancelled[16]
  • May 1995: Vancouver service resumed
Current station
  • Near site of original GN depot
  • 1990s: Funding and site identified; Kincaid Street preferred due to proximity to I-5 and potential to kickstart downtown development[1]
    • Other option: College Way site next to Skagit Transit maintenance facility (never built?)
  • January 2004: Skagit Transit service begins[17]
  • August 24, 2004: Opening ceremony[18]
    • Cost $7.7 million
  • September 13, 2004: First trains

Services

[edit]
  • Buses: SKAT (90X to Everett), Island 411 to Stanwood, Whatcom 80X to Bellingham, Greyhound

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Ellison, Bruce (September 16, 2004). "Skagit Station offers hope for renewal". Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce.
  2. ^ https://www.djc.com/news/ae/11173123.html
  3. ^ http://www.mountvernonchamber.com/pdfs/10oct2004.pdf
  4. ^ http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/E768E7BA-4788-42B1-ADC8-1BE01D1424E7/0/LongRangePlanforAmtrakCascades.pdf
  5. ^ http://www.skagittransit.org/assets/1/7/Skagit_Station_Lobby_Remodel1.pdf
  6. ^ "The Great Northern Reaches Burlington". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. August 2, 1891. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ http://www.historylink.org/File/9537
  8. ^ Skagit River Journal
  9. ^ http://sanborn.umi.com.ezproxy.spl.org/wa/9252/dateid-000002.htm?CCSI=2565n
  10. ^ a b "G.N. to Open Skagit Depot". The Bellingham Herald. April 24, 1968. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ http://www.skagitriverjournal.com/RR/Interurban/Interurban06-Clippings1906-11.html
  12. ^ "Mount Vernon to Get New Rail Depot". The Seattle Times. October 15, 1967. p. C4.
  13. ^ Heilman, Robert (May 5, 1968). "Man About Town". The Seattle Times. p. 35.
  14. ^ https://www.flickr.com/photos/37908073@N04/3891656660/in/photolist-6VTKWC
  15. ^ http://www.trainweb.org/usarail/mtvernon.htm
  16. ^ Brown, Charles E. (October 1, 1981). "Trainload of nostalgia on last run". The Seattle Times. p. C1.
  17. ^ http://wsdot.wa.gov/publications/fulltext/graynotebook/Mar04.pdf
  18. ^ http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/BB9B6EA9-2490-4CCA-812B-525ABE489073/0/GrayNotebookSep04.pdf

Fairhaven Station

[edit]
  • 1993: Fairhaven options include old Haggens office and other buildings[1]
  • Opened July 21, 1995 (according to plaque)
    • "Nearing completion" at the time; cost of $3.88 million; 15,000 sq ft of leasable space with several tenants[2]
  • Coffee stand and leasable office space
  • Former warehouse building
  • Replaced earlier passenger station in Old Town Bellingham
  • Former BoltBus stop[3]
  • Amtrak service returns in 2022 after COVID-19 cancellation[4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98606928/options-laid-out-for-fairhaven-amtrak/
  2. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98606872/fairhaven-train-station-nearing/
  3. ^ Gallagher, Dave (July 3, 2021). "BoltBus no longer operates from Bellingham, but the company's owner has options for riders". The Bellingham Herald. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  4. ^ "This popular Cascade train run through Bellingham is coming back sooner than expected". The Bellingham Herald. July 1, 2022. {{cite news}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Unknown parameter |lats= ignored (help)

Pasco Intermodal Train Station

[edit]
Pasco Intermodal Train Station
Amtrak inter-city rail station
General information
Location535 North 1st Avenue
Pasco, Washington, US
Owned byBNSF Railway
Line(s)BNSF Railway: Fallbridge Subdivision
Platforms1 side platform
Tracks1
Bus stands8
Bus operatorsBen Franklin Transit, Greyhound Lines
Construction
AccessibleYes
Other information
Station codePSC
History
Opened1998
Services
Preceding station Amtrak Following station
Wishram
toward Portland
 Empire Builder Spokane
toward Chicago
Former services
Preceding station Amtrak Following station
Yakima
toward Seattle
 Empire Builder
(1971–1981)
 Spokane
toward Chicago

The Pasco Intermodal Train Station is a train station in the city of Pasco, Washington, United States, part of the Tri-Cities region. It is served by two daily Amtrak trains on the Empire Builder, which travels west to Portland, Oregon, and east to Chicago. The station is located northeast of downtown Pasco near the junction of State Route 397 and Interstate 182.

Description

[edit]
  • Short platform?
  • Bus area with six bays
  • Parking lot
  • Located adjacent to city hall (former high school) and county government campus
  • Interior spaces for coffee shop and magazine store

History

[edit]
  • 1886: Pasco founded in 1886 and named by railroad employee
  • Oldest station was at Tacoma and Columbia; second at Fourth and B Street,[1] but burned down; Tacoma and Clark depot built afterwards[2]
  • Old station location: Clark & Tacoma Avenue (4 blocks south); opened in 1936
    • Two sections demolished, leaving one remaining[3]
    • Demolished in 2009; original plans were to use it for railroad museum but determined to be unfeasible[4]
    • Platform remnants still visible
    • Saw heavy use during Manhattan Project[4]
  • May 1971: Amtrak takeover cancels 8 trains to Tri-Cities area[5]
  • 1974: Pasco phone number redirected to Los Angeles, one of the last stations to be switched[6]
  • December 1977: Floods wash out portion of Stampede Pass line, rerouted onto Milwaukee Road until determined to be unsafe
    • May 1978: BN announces plans to repair line[7]
  • April 1978: Amtrak announces closure of Pasco, Yakima, and Ellensburg stations effective May 21[8]
    • Interim bus service until May 21, later extended until service restored on Empire Builder[9]
  • Ultimately replaced by Portland-Spokane leg of Empire Builder
Replacement
  • 1994: Pasco explores renovation or replacement of 60-year-old depot; ADA requirements and other aging[10]
    • Committee recommends replacement at Lewis Street underpass, near North First & Margaret, or on Fourth[11]
  • June 1997: Pioneer ends service from Pendleton
  • Fall 1996: Lease negotiations with BNSF begin
  • December 1997: Pasco begins construction bidding for new depot at First Avenue site; cost estimated at $16 million[12]
  • March 1998: Construction begins[3]
  • October[13] or November 1998: Station opens
    • $1.7 million to construct, funded mostly by state/federal grants with only $100,000 each from Ben Franklin Transit and City of Pasco[4]
    • Replaced 62-year-old depot on Tacoma Avenue[14]

Services

[edit]
  • Empire Builder (Portland)
  • Change point for Empire Builder engineers
  • Ben Franklin routes
  • Greyhound, Northwest Trailways, Travel Washington, other buses?

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Woehler, Bob (February 18, 1984). "Kilbury sees Pasco continuing as strong railroad town". Tri-City Herald. p. D8 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ Kilbury, Charles D. (June 26, 1994). "Pasco depot: Best location". Tri-City Herald. p. D2.
  3. ^ a b West, Staci A. (February 18, 1998). "New Pasco bus, train depot on track for March start". Tri-City Herald. p. A4 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b c https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98931797/welcome-change-pasco-to-unveil-new/
  5. ^ "8 Tri-City Trains Canceled". Tri-City Herald. March 28, 1971. p. 1.
  6. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98607037/amtrak-disconnects-pasco-depot/
  7. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98892075/amtrak-service-disrupted-until-july/
  8. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98891867/amtrak-to-close-pasco-passenger-station/
  9. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98892010/amtrak-to-continue-bus-service-past-may/
  10. ^ Schaefer, Carrie (June 7, 1994). "Pasco makes plans for remodel of old rail depot". Tri-City Herald. p. A1.
  11. ^ Bradford, Kim (September 26, 1994). "Depot dreams: Pasco group wants grand new structure". Tri-City Herald. p. A1.
  12. ^ Bradford, Kim (December 15, 1997). "Pasco moving on new depot". Tri-City Herald. p. A1.
  13. ^ Sibold-Cohn, Genoa (January 26, 1999). "Pasco wants train to Seattle". Tri-City Herald. p. A4.
  14. ^ Sibold-Cohn, Genoa (October 13, 1998). "Pasco train, bus depot to open by Thanksgiving". Tri-City Herald. p. A4 – via Newspapers.com.

Spokane Intermodal Center

[edit]
Spokane Intermodal Center
Amtrak inter-city rail station
General information
Location221 West 1st Avenue
Spokane, Washington, US
Owned byCity of Spokane
Line(s)BNSF Railway: Spokane Subdivision
Platforms1 island platform
Tracks5
Bus operatorsAmtrak Thruway Motorcoach, Greyhound Lines, Northwestern Trailways, Jefferson Lines, Travel Washington
ConnectionsSpokane Transit Authority
Construction
AccessibleYes
Other information
Station codeSPK
History
OpenedMarch 5, 1891
Rebuilt1993–1994
Services
Preceding station Amtrak Following station
Ephrata
toward Seattle
 Empire Builder Sandpoint
toward Chicago
Pasco
toward Portland
Former services
Preceding station Amtrak Following station
Ephrata
toward Seattle
 North Coast Hiawatha Sandpoint
toward Chicago
Expo '74 Terminus

The Spokane Intermodal Center is an intermodal train and bus station located in Spokane, Washington, United States. It is served by Amtrak's Empire Builder train and several intercity bus operators, including Greyhound Lines, Northwestern Trailways, and Travel Washington.

The station was built by the Northern Pacific Railway and opened in 1891. The station underwent extensive renovations from 1993 to 1994 and was reopened as an intermodal terminal on December 12, 1994.

Description

[edit]
  • Brick exterior
  • Raised bus ramp
  • Train viaduct through downtown
  • Island platform for trains with underground concourse
  • Nearby: Convention center, First Interstate Center for Arts, Riverfront Park (GN depot clocktower, rest of station razed in January/February 1973)[1]
  • Layout map (1994)

History

[edit]
  • Other stations: Milwaukee Road's Union Depot at Front Street;[2] GN depot opened in May 1902 on Havermale Island, later Expo site
    • Rival Union Station for Union Pacific and others constructed in front of GN depot, opened in 1914[1]
  • 1881: Spokane NP depot opens on 1st/2nd at Lincoln Street
  • 1883: First NP trains arrive in Spokane
  • 1886: Larger depot opened, destroyed by Great Fire on August 4, 1889
  • New eastern location proposed in April 1890[3]
  • New depot at Lincoln Street proposed as part of Monroe Street Bridge debate, contingent on street vacation[4][5]
    • Vetoed by mayor[6]
  • New eastern location announced on June 4, 1890[7]
  • March 4, 1891: Opened for public viewing
  • March 5, 1891: Train services begin[8]
  • March 29, 1891: Increased number of transcontinental trains from Spokane[9]
  • 1912 to 1915: Elevated railroad viaduct constructed to move trains away from downtown streets[10]
  • 1951: Renovation to underground concourses begins
  • November 1952: Final depot renovation begins under NP, costing $128,000[11][12]
    • New lunchroom and ticket office
  • September 1953: Renovation program complete, at cost of $250,000[13]
    • Green ceramic tile used, resulting in blue color?[14]
    • Later painted baby blue
  • Other train stations:
    • Great Northern (demolished in Febuary 1973, clocktower remains)[15][16]
    • Union Station for Union Pacific and Milwaukee Road: Constructed in 1913, demolished in 1973 for World's Fair[17]
Amtrak era
  • 1974 World's Fair special service
Renovation
  • 1991: Farmers market proposal[18]
  • July 1991: Federal government rejects $4.2 million grant for renovation project[19]
    • State funding signed hours earlier
  • February 1992: Federal appropriations bill includes funding, credited to House Speaker Tom Foley[20]
    • Formally announced by USDOT in July 1992[21]
    • Approved by FTA in April 1993
  • July 1993: Construction begins (contractor: Lydig Construction)[22]
  • April 1994: New platform with elevator opens
  • December 12, 1994: New depot dedicated, cost $9 million to renovate (with federal funding)[23][24]
    • Old Greyhound terminal at 1125 W Sprague closes[25]
    • Service cuts to Empire Builder announced days later[26]

Services

[edit]
  • Empire Builder: train split/joined for Seattle (6 cars) and Portland (4) sections
  • Nearby STA routes

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Kershner, Jim (January 7, 2007). "Towering presence". The Spokesman-Review.
  2. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-falls-review-the-new-union-depot/137384161/
  3. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-falls-review-new-n-p-station/137384029/
  4. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-falls-review-the-longest-yet/137384057/
  5. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-falls-review-the-n-p-passenger/137384112/
  6. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-falls-review-vacating-lincoln-st/137384138/
  7. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-falls-review-it-goes-east-the-n/137384280/
  8. ^ "One of the Finest: The New Northern Pacific Passenger Depot Opened". Spokane Falls Review. March 5, 1891. p. 5. Retrieved January 18, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Increased Train Service". The Spokane Daily Chronicle. March 5, 1891. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/sep/04/then-and-now-railroad-viaduct-through-downtown-spo/
  11. ^ "NP Depot Job to Cost $128,000". The Spokesman-Review. October 10, 1952. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42572432/all_six_railroads_serving_spokane_make/
  13. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42572492/job_about_done_on_np_station/
  14. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42572543/renovated_np_depot_wont_get_inspection/
  15. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42572017/depots_razing_starts_soon/
  16. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42572040/gn_depot_tower_stands/
  17. ^ https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/nov/12/then-and-now-union-station/
  18. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42570150/old_depot_to_house_farmers_market/
  19. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42571189/us_rejects_request_for_depot_funds/
  20. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42571165/train_depot_in_line_for_84_million/
  21. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42571289/transportation_center_to_get_federal/
  22. ^ Hansen, Dan (April 9, 1994). "Renovation drive depot into the '90s". The Spokesman-Review. p. B1 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42571021/back_on_track_old_railway_station_gets/
  24. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42571096/depot_ready_to_become_transport_hub/
  25. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42571053/good_numbers_goodbye/
  26. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42570930/amtrak_will_cut_frequency_of_service_to/

Yakima station

[edit]
Alternate title: Northern Pacific Railroad Passenger Depot (Yakima, Washington)
Northern Pacific Railroad Passenger Depot
General information
Location32 N. Front Street
Yakima, Washington, US
Owned byBNSF Railway
Platforms1 side platform
History
Opened1910
ClosedOctober 25, 1981
Former services
Preceding station Amtrak Following station
Ellensburg
toward Seattle
 Empire Builder
(1971–1981)
 Pasco
toward Chicago

The Northern Pacific Railroad Passenger Depot is a former train station in downtown Yakima, Washington, United States. It was built by the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1910 and was used for passenger service by Amtrak until 1981.

Description

[edit]

History

[edit]
  • 1886: First railroad depot (at current site), replacing temporary station in box car parked at Yakima Avenue for new town[1]
    • Railroad moves Yakima north from original townsite in 1884[2]
    • 100 buildings moved to new townsite[3]
  • 1898: New depot built with clocktower
    • Visited by Presidents Roosevelt (1903) and Taft (1909)
  • 1908: Depot building sold and moved to Cherry Avenue for apartments while new depot is built
  • 1971: Amtrak takes over
  • October 1981: Amtrak reroutes Empire Builder to Wenatchee
Preservation
  • Contributing property to Old North Yakima Historic District (NRHP)
  • Current use: coffee shop and pizzeria

Services

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Meyers, Donald W. (December 10, 2017). "It Happened Here: History passed through Yakima train depot". Yakima Herald-Republic.
  2. ^ Northern Pacific reaches Yakima City, where it declines to build a station, on December 17, 1884.
  3. ^ Dorpat, Paul; McCovy, Genevieve (1998). Building Washington: A History of Washington State Public Works. Seattle: Tartu Publications. pp. 155–156. ISBN 0-9614357-9-8. OCLC 40406154.

Centralia station (Washington)

[edit]
Centralia
General information
Location210 Railroad Avenue
Mount Vernon, Washington, US
Owned byCity of Centralia and BNSF Railway
Line(s)BNSF Railway: Seattle Subdivision
Platforms1 side platform
Tracks2
Bus operatorsTwin Transit
Construction
AccessibleYes
Other information
Station codeCLT
History
Opened1912
Rebuilt2002
Services
Preceding station Amtrak Following station
Kelso
toward Eugene
 Amtrak Cascades Olympia-Lacey
toward Vancouver, British Columbia
Kelso
toward Los Angeles
 Coast Starlight Olympia-Lacey
toward Seattle
Former services
Preceding station Amtrak Following station
Olympia-Lacey
toward Seattle
 Pioneer
(1977–1997)
 Kelso
toward Chicago
Centralia Union Depot
LocationCentralia, Washington
Built1912
NRHP reference No.88000608
Added to NRHPMay 19, 1988

Centralia Union Depot is an Amtrak train station and historic landmark in Centralia, Washington, United States.

History

[edit]
  • 1872: NP arrives in area, "Centerville" is platted and later renamed Centralia[1]
    • "Halfway" between Tacoma and Kalama
  • Two earlier wooden stations: 1880 and 1905[2]
  • 1911: New depot requested by citizens, costs increase
  • Constructed from 1910 to 1912 for Great Northern and OWR Navigation Company
    • Built to accommodate population boom
    • Initially handled 44 passenger and 77 freight trains per day
  • Dedicated on June 1, 1912
    • Ready for service on June 24[3]
  • Chehalis depot built with near-identical (but smaller) design
Influence
Amtrak
  • June 1971: Centralia added to Amtrak routes as flag stop[4]
    • Promoted to regular stop on July 12, after three month delay[5]
    • Included in initial plans[6]
  • Deteriorated by 1980s
  • 1988: NRHP listing
  • 1996–2002: $4.4 million renovation under city ownership[7]

Design and layout

[edit]
  • Brick
  • Three buildings connected by breezeways (north and south wings, plus two-story terminal building)[1]

Services

[edit]
  • Cascades and Starlight
    • Pioneer until 1997
  • Twin Transit

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/740cd889-a215-443a-ae17-5e3a04743603
  2. ^ http://www.chronline.com/shuffle-at-centralia-s-union-station/article_32f7683c-9cbb-5a5b-bd26-09805b75e4c4.html
  3. ^ "New Depot Ready". The Seattle Times. June 20, 1912. p. 13.
  4. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22634073/centralia_amtrak_flag_stop/
  5. ^ "Amtrak adds stops on Portland trains". The Seattle Times. July 7, 1971. p. A18.
  6. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22634060/centralia_on_railpax/
  7. ^ http://www.greatamericanstations.com/stations/centralia-wa-ctl/

Vancouver station (Washington)

[edit]

History

[edit]
  • March 2, 1902: Kalama to Vancouver line opened by Northern Pacific, with depot in different location[1]
  • 1906: Bridge construction begins
  • November 17, 1908: Columbia River bridge completed as part of "North Bank" railroad
  • December 26, 1908: Depot opened for Northern Pacific[2]
    • Dimensions: 30 x 115 feet, two stories; brick base and stucco decoration; costs $13,000[3]
  • North Bank trains use old 8th & Hoyt depot in Portland, shares Vancouver depot with Northern Pacific[4]
  • Remained the only train station serving Portland commuters until streetcar service on Interstate Bridge began in 1917
  • 1948: Temporary commuter train after Vanport Flood closes Interstate Bridge[5]
  • 1988: Renovations
  • 1972: "fresh coat of [white] paint"[6]
  • 1972: Commuter train proposals for I-5 reconstruction in Vancouver
  • September 1997: Temporary commuter train to Portland due to closure of Interstate Bridge for trunnion repair[7]
    • Fare-free, three round trips (with two reverse),[8] approximately 693 daily riders[9]
  • 2008: Renovations and restoration
  • 2015: History exhibit[10]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Trains Via Vancouver". The Oregonian. December 27, 1908. p. 4.
  2. ^ https://www.greatamericanstations.com/stations/vancouver-wa-van/
  3. ^ "Vancouver's New Depot Nears Completion". The Oregonian. November 30, 1908. p. 13.
  4. ^ "All the Trains Through Vancouver". The Oregonian. December 23, 1908. p. 19.
  5. ^ Bacon, Leonard (December 5, 1972). "Vancouver commuter seek alternate route". The Oregonian. p. 31.
  6. ^ Gear, Sally; Symon, Charles (January 9, 1972). "Time running out for train stations in SW Washington". The Oregonian. p. 29.
  7. ^ Mize, Jeffery (November 30, 2019). "Clark Asks: Why can't Amtrak be used to commute to Portland from Vancouver?". The Columbian.
  8. ^ Ryll, Thomas; Padgett, Mike (September 14, 1997). "Amtrak may be the way to ease commute". The Columbian. p. 4.
  9. ^ Westfall, Bruce (September 16, 1997). "Train gives almost 700 commuters smooth ride to work". The Columbian. p. 1.
  10. ^ Vogt, Tom (January 30, 2015). "Northwest's railroad history on display". The Columbian.

Amtrak Cascades

[edit]
  • Talgo livery: "distinctive evergreen and cappuccino hues on a cream background"[1]
  • Talgo stats: 250 seats; arranged in 13 cars with baggage car, two business/first class cars and seven coach class cars, one lounge car, and one service car; wheelchair accessible cars in the middle[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Amtrak Cascades Facts". Washington State Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on August 31, 2017.
  2. ^ "Amtrak Cascades Train Equipment". Washington State Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on August 31, 2017.

Seattle Center Monorail

[edit]
Station articles: Seattle Center monorail terminal, Westlake Center monorail terminal

History

[edit]

Renovations and preservation

[edit]
  • 1980s: Trains renovated to use coiled springs and shocks, resulting in noisier and less comfortable ride[1]
  • November 8, 1983: Election to use tax levy general obligation bonds for improving the monorail[2]

Expansion proposals

[edit]
See also: Seattle Monorail Project
  • 1997-11-04: Initiative 41 passed by Seattle voters, creating the Elevated Transportation Corporation (ETC) to develop and build a 54-mile-long (87 km) system with two lines[3]
  • 2000-07-31: Seattle City Council passes Amendment 113304, relegating the ETC to an advisory committee[4][5]
  • 2005: Monorail plan rejected by city government[6]
  • 2008-01-17: Seattle Monorail Authority formally dissolves, after $124 million in taxpayer funding spent[7][8]
[edit]
  • Simpsons episode? (From "1964" World's Fair)
    • Later referenced at Monorail Plan hearings[9]
    • Cease and desist sent by Fox[10][11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Times 40th (2002)
  2. ^ http://clerk.seattle.gov/search/results?s5=&s1=&s7=%22MONORAIL-SYSTEM%22%5BINDX%5D&s6=&s2=&s8=&Sect4=AND&l=200&Sect2=THESON&Sect3=PLURON&Sect5=CBORY&Sect6=HITOFF&d=ORDF&p=1&u=%2Fsearch%2Fordinances%2F&r=55&f=G
  3. ^ Crowley, Walt (April 14, 2003). "Seattle voters approve Initiative 41 Monorail plan on November 4, 1997". HistoryLink.
  4. ^ Burrows, Alyssa (April 1, 2004). "Seattle City Council effectively repeals the 1997 voter-approved Monorail Initiative No. 41 on July 31, 2000". HistoryLink.
  5. ^ Kaiman, Beth (August 1, 2000). "Monorail backers fear city grant is kiss of death". The Seattle Times. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |accssdate= (help)
  6. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20051013072910/http://www2.seattlechannel.org:80/issues/monorail.asp
  7. ^ Lindblom, Mike (January 17, 2008). "Monorail agency to close". The Seattle Times.
  8. ^ Murakami, Kery (January 18, 2008). "Monorail agency officially dissolves; cost taxpayers $125 million". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Hearst Corporation.
  9. ^ https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-sep-24-na-monorail24-story.html
  10. ^ Lindblom, Mike (October 19, 2002). "Backers of new monorail call foul when foes bring in Marge Simpson". The Seattle Times. p. A12.
  11. ^ Eskenazi, Stuart (July 8, 2005). "Springfield's advice to Seattle on monorail: D'oh!". The Seattle Times. p. E1.
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