Chief
07-02-2007, 09:45 AM
http://www.washingtonports.org/downloads/2004_Rail_Capacity_Study.pdf
The rail network in the State of Washington is comprised of east-west and north-south main line
operations. The east-west main lines are operated by BNSF over three routes:
1) Puget Sound via Everett, Stevens Pass, Wenatchee and Spokane;
2) Puget Sound via Auburn, Stampede Pass, Pasco and Spokane; and,
3) Vancouver WA via Pasco and Spokane.
UP does not operate an east-west main line within the state. Since rail service to the ports
served by BNSF’s route between Vancouver WA and Spokane were not within the scope of this
study, MLM and HDR have not specifically addressed rail operations and capacity issues in that
corridor, although we have provided observations and recommendations for this corridor later in
this study.
There are three north-south main lines operated in the state:
1) BNSF’s main line between the Canadian border at Blaine and Vancouver/Portland (the I-
5 Corridor);
2) BNSF’s mainline between the Inland Empire region surrounding Spokane, through Pasco
to Wishram; and,
3) UP’s main line between Hinkle OR, Spokane, WA and Eastport, ID.
In addition, UP operates a short stretch of north-south main line between Tacoma and Tukwila
that lies parallel to BNSF’s I-5 main lines. UP operates over BNSF’s I-5 main lines between
North Portland Jct. OR and Tacoma. Between the Black River Interlocking in Tukwila and the
Argo Interlocking in Seattle BNSF and UP operate over their respective parallel main lines,
although this restriction will cease once the Sound Transit/WSDOT improvements are placed in
service. At that time, each railroad will have access to all north/south mainline tracks between
Argo and Black River.
Also in Adobe Acrobat format, 86 pages. Fascinating study that is chock full of interesting data. Anyone who is a railroad buff can appreciate most of the technicalities of this document. A must-read and worthy of a bookmark.
;D
The rail network in the State of Washington is comprised of east-west and north-south main line
operations. The east-west main lines are operated by BNSF over three routes:
1) Puget Sound via Everett, Stevens Pass, Wenatchee and Spokane;
2) Puget Sound via Auburn, Stampede Pass, Pasco and Spokane; and,
3) Vancouver WA via Pasco and Spokane.
UP does not operate an east-west main line within the state. Since rail service to the ports
served by BNSF’s route between Vancouver WA and Spokane were not within the scope of this
study, MLM and HDR have not specifically addressed rail operations and capacity issues in that
corridor, although we have provided observations and recommendations for this corridor later in
this study.
There are three north-south main lines operated in the state:
1) BNSF’s main line between the Canadian border at Blaine and Vancouver/Portland (the I-
5 Corridor);
2) BNSF’s mainline between the Inland Empire region surrounding Spokane, through Pasco
to Wishram; and,
3) UP’s main line between Hinkle OR, Spokane, WA and Eastport, ID.
In addition, UP operates a short stretch of north-south main line between Tacoma and Tukwila
that lies parallel to BNSF’s I-5 main lines. UP operates over BNSF’s I-5 main lines between
North Portland Jct. OR and Tacoma. Between the Black River Interlocking in Tukwila and the
Argo Interlocking in Seattle BNSF and UP operate over their respective parallel main lines,
although this restriction will cease once the Sound Transit/WSDOT improvements are placed in
service. At that time, each railroad will have access to all north/south mainline tracks between
Argo and Black River.
Also in Adobe Acrobat format, 86 pages. Fascinating study that is chock full of interesting data. Anyone who is a railroad buff can appreciate most of the technicalities of this document. A must-read and worthy of a bookmark.
;D