All posts by Brian Bundridge

Brian Bundridge focuses on heavy rail and the technical aspects of rail operations, and volunteers on the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad in his spare time as a conductor or engineer.  Brian originally ran his own Washington State Transportation blog, which merged with STB.

Getting the word out

Posted on by Brian Bundridge

This morning at Renton Transit Center, Sound Transit was getting the word out about upcoming bus and Sounder changes. A gentleman boarded the bus after everyone was on (standing room only after the wheelchairs), made a brief announcement to everyone of the upcoming change, and left some papers in front of the bus with all of the details. He asked us to be proactive and voice “your” opinion and left with a cheerful “Have a great morning”. It took all of 30 seconds and he was off to do the same for the ST 560 that arrived behind us. Another person was across the street doing the same for the Southbound buses.

I couldn’t help but smile and pondered if Metro could get the word out such as this. While Sound Transit does have a smaller number of buses, they manage to get somebody in person to get the word out with.  ST just earned major kudos from me and a quite a few other riders since by the time we reached Bellevue Transit Center, all of the papers were gone.

I know that every once in a while, Metro does a PA communication where somebody just advises riders to go to Metro’s Website about the upcoming changes. If the speakers are low on the coach though, you’re not going to hear it.

All in All…Good move ST, good move.

Westside Express Service (WES) Grand Opening!

Posted on by Brian Bundridge

The Wilsonville – Beaverton Westside Express Service (Oregon’s first modern commuter service) Grand Opening is January 30, 2009 with free rides for the public. The following week, February 2-8 will be what TriMet is calling WES Week with trains running on the regular commuter schedule and celebrations at many of the stations. The Pacific Northwest Chapter, NRHS will have a history booth at the Tigard station on January 30 and on February 3 (Tigard Day – Past, Current, Future).

For more information, check out the Westside Express Service website for more information. I’ll be down there the entire weekend for the celebration and to try out the service.

South Tacoma Station Update

Posted on by Brian Bundridge

Just took a swing by the new upcoming South Tacoma Sounder station and progress is going very well. From the visual appearance, the station itself is completed with the installation of art throughout the station area. Fencing is still up but you can still see the entire station from the side roads. The bus stop looks good and located mid-way on the platform which gives people a central point to walk to should they decide to take Pierce Transit to their final destination.

Now it does seem that the platform was made for a 10 car train. I’m not sure and only ST can verify that (unless I get a hold of a contractor first) but it at least appears much, much longer than King Street Station, which can already accommodate a 9 car train.

Since I am currently using the WIFI from a hotel and it is pretty darn slow, pictures will have to wait until tomorrow.

All PNW Amtrak trains suspended

Posted on by Brian Bundridge

Due to the flooding in Western Washington, Amtrak Cascades, Amtrak’s Coast Starlight, and Amtrak’s Empire Builder is suspended due to the severe flooding. This restriction also applies to ALL freight trains. If you have loved ones on the train, they will be returning to their respective stations.

  • #11 arrived PDX
  • #501 arrived PDX 300p
  • #500 arrived SEA 200p
  • #506 is coming back to PDX… Stopped around Ostrander.
  • #507 is turning at Olympia…. going back to Seattle..

BNSF also has a 200′ washout at Martin on the Stampede Subdivision and reportedly, there is a wash out on the Bellingham Subdivision which would make the North end trains suspended as well.

Update: 6:07pm – BNSF has pulled all the switch machines (which throws the railroad switch automatically) between Centralia and Chehalis. Slide at Solo Point near University Place. BNSF is under water at Mt. Vernon with reported extensive damage to main-line. Sumner and Puyallup has been ordered to evacuate from Brock Hansen of Puyallup.

Update: 6:20pm – WSDOT is closing a 20 mile segment of I-5, between exit 88 near the Lewis/Thurston county border south to exit 68, the US 12 interchange connecting with Morton and White Pass. WSDOT is planning to close I-5 between Fife and Tacoma in the next hour or two. Hwy 410, I-90 between North Bend and Easton, US 2 and Hwy 12 all remain closed.

Update: 7:15pm – The BNSF Railway bridge in Sumner is reportedly buckling from the force of the river.

BNSF Railway Closure Cancels Amtrak Trains in the PNW; Update

Posted on by Brian Bundridge

Here is the latest information reinstating passenger rail service between Vancouver BC and Eugene, Oregon

December 21, 2008
9:00 p.m. ET

BNSF Railway has informed Amtrak of plans to restore most passenger train service to and from Seattle, following a major winter storm that suspended nearly all Amtrak service in the Pacific Northwest on Sunday, December 21.

This service restoration plan is based on best-available information. However, passengers in the affected area are advised to contact Amtrak at 800-USA-RAIL or check train status on Amtrak.com before traveling on Monday, December 22.

Trains in the Pacific Northwest are expected to operate subject to significant delays on December 22.

Amtrak Cascades

Service is planned to operate on December 22 for the full route to and from Eugene, Ore., and Vancouver, B.C., via Portland, Ore., and Seattle, with the exception of Train 500 between Eugene and Portland. Train 500 will originate in Portland rather than Eugene, with passengers directed to departures later in the day as alternate transportation.

Empire Builder

Trains 8 & 28 are planned to originate in Portland on December 22, with alternate transportation planned from Seattle for Train 8 passengers ticketed from Seattle and intermediate points to Spokane, Wash.

Coast Starlight

Trains 11 & 14 are expected to operate over their full Seattle-Los Angeles route on December 22, subject to significant delay in the Pacific Northwest.

Amtrak regrets any inconvenience. This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant. Passengers are encouraged to call 800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com for schedule information and train status updates.

Seattle Streetcar is FREE until Dec 26th

Posted on by Brian Bundridge

Just a heads up for the masses, after the Seattle Streetcar has exceeded over 500,000 riders! Congrats to the City of Seattle! With that wonderful news, Mayor Greg Nickels has annouced that the streetcar will be free from December 12-26th. It has so far, ran delay free since the winter weather has hit the Seattle region.

Also, Tacoma Link has been running delay free.

Portland MAX and Streetcar are dealing some frozen switches but are otherwise running on-time, except for the Yellow Line which is running with buses until the afternoon. Portland Aeriel Tram has been 100% up.

Link Light-Rail Update

Posted on by Brian Bundridge

Here is a visual update to Link Light-Rail for 12-11-08

Link is testing between South 154th Street Station and Othello Street station. Yesterday, I was passed by a 4 car set at 55mph (I was doing 25mph on I-5) The train-sets are now being stored at South 154th Street Station if you are looking for them.

Wire is mostly completed from Walden Street to Beacon Hill Tunnel. Wire is done inside of both Beacon Hill tunnels. Wire is not complete from the O&M to Beacon Hill Tunnel but the equipment is there and awaiting the crews that are finishing up at Walden Street.

All of the MLK Way stations appear to be visibly clear of construction equipment and the scissor lifts are also gone. Mt. Baker and Sea-Tac Airport stations are the last to be finished. The status of Beacon Hill station is unknown.

Rail is all the way into Sea-Tac Airport Station and the end of track. OCS installation and traction power station installation will be the last of “initial” segment.

Track speed from Tukwila Station to Sea-Tac Airport will be 35 to 55mph, speed through Beacon Hill Tunnel will be 55mph.

Spring 2009 will introduce full line testing from Westlake Station to S 154th Street. This testing will be at various times throughout the day as they ramp up to scheduled operation testing to opening day. Testing is also to get people used to seeing the trains interacting with buses in the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel (DSTT) Testing to Sea-Tac Airport will at various times, mostly at night, starting in late Summer to Fall 2009.

That’s all for now! Less than 8 months until Opening Day!

Washington Ferry System – Part 1

Posted on by Brian Bundridge


Photo by Brian Bundridge – M/V Walla Walla departing Edmonds

With many projects coming up, such as the Alaskan Way Viaduct, the 6-month closure of the Hood Canal Bridge, and replacement of SR-520 floating bridge – not to mention the rest of the 277 state-wide projects on the list of things to do, it comes as no surprise that there is still a huge hole in our transportation system even with our excellent bus, heavy and upcoming light-rail. Some may be pondering what exactly I am talking about – we have buses, we have rail, we have decent roads and an improving ferry system. This is all true but more can be done and needs to be done, starting with the ferry system.

Continue reading “Washington Ferry System – Part 1”

Eastside Rail Corridor = $1 billion dollars?!

Posted on by Brian Bundridge

The Seattle Times reports that the Eastside Rail Corridor will cost around $1 to 1.2 billion dollars to develop the corridor according to the study that was completed. I am for one simply and 100% baffled and blown away about the cost. It does NOT seem right at all. Why?

The Sonoma-Marin corridor which is 70 miles long would cost $450 million for the rail line and $90 million bike trail along the entire length of the corridor. This includes several new bridges, train sets, maintenance facility, etc.

The Sprinter also pegged out around $450 million for 22 miles, new train sets, several new viaducts, maintenance facility, no bike trail. The viaduct and mainline relocations were the most costly aspect of Sprinter.

The Eastside Rail Corridor is 45 miles (Downtown Snohomish to Tukwila Jct) and there is already a trail for the majority of this route as seen from I-405.

I’d love to see this report on just why this is so expensive but I can take a guess that the entire corridor is double track, every crossing has wayside horns, fancy stations, etc… something that only needs to be basic, single track, and a simple bike/walking trail.

This project should peg out at no more than $750 million at the maximum WITH the extension to Tukwila Station.

More on this later….

Looking to take the Cascades for Thanksgiving?

Posted on by Brian Bundridge

If you haven’t made your reservations several weeks prior, you’re already too late.. Unless you want a sleeper on the Coast Starlight which is almost also all sold out…There are still SOME seats available on the 26th, 29th and the 30th. Those however WILL GO FAST!

Extra trains are the following

#511 SEA -> PDX 1330 -> 1745 becomes #514 PDX -> SEA 1900 -> 2315
#512 PDX -> SEA 1345 -> 1800 becomes #515 SEA -> PDX 1900 -> 2315

Turkey trains start on November 26 until November 30th

Equipment for the extra trains will be used for the Alki Tours Leavenworth Snow Train in December. There will be private cars on this train, which is a first as well. The trips are pretty much already sold out as well. You’ll find me on the Silver Lariat, December 20th.

ST Link Update

Posted on by Brian Bundridge

Here are some updates for you hungry light-railers.

Central Link:

The overhead wiring is progressing in the northbound Beacon Hill tunnel and connecting the system to the MLK and initial test segment. These items should be completed by the end of the year. As usual, once the wiring is finished, dead wire testing will follow before live testing through the tunnel will be allowed. Wiring has been completed in the southbound tunnel and crews are working to finish up connecting East Portal to Walden Street.

All LRV’s have arrived on the property but not all accepted. Once the equipment finishes burn-in and performance testing, they will be accepted by Sound Transit.

All MLK Stations are completed.

Full line testing will start next Spring (DTSS to South 154th Street)

Beacon Hill is still scheduled to open on time.

Airport Link:

Rail is completed up to the station. I originally thought it went into and through the station but it’s just outside of the station.

Ballast has been laid out along the Airport Expressway and has been tamped to spec.

OCS System will start installation sometime early next year.

U-Link:

Construction starts in November/December