Does anyone know the current traffic levels per day for the Scenic Sub.? (primarily daylight only) I'm going to be out there in 2 weeks, and my goal is to get at least one train going in/out of the Cascade tunnel. If I can get at least one (with the door/blower action on the east portal), I will have fulfilled that part of my trip! Thanks for any help!
Joe H. (Milepost S256.0; NS Griffin District)
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I grew up and started my railroad career in Wenatchee. I have been away for a long time. I am generally aware of what is going on but am not up to the moment.
Until the current depression BNSF was getting about 20-24 trains per day through the tunnel, including a pair of passengers. The practical limit is about one per hour if one east and one west.
With steamship traffic down train count is down. I have heard stories that they are running DPU container trains which would be longer and heavier than single trains which would tend to reduce the count. To the extent BNSF was running intermodal via Vancouver WA, which they were, those would have been redirected to Stevens, but on balance count is down somewhat to maybe 16-18 trains per day.
Last time I was home I noticed there was an eastbound trailer train through Wenatchee about noon, which would put them at Berne about 10AM. If you want an eastbound at east portal I would get there no later than 8AM and camp out for this train which carries domestic traffic which has been relativel less affected than container traffic. This train may not run on Monday since he would have the previous day's business out of South Seattle. If you were there 8AM to 4PM the only way you could fail in your quest is if there was a work window somewhere between Everett and Wenatchee.
Mac
Thanks for the info!!!! I've reworked my schedule to devote at least one full day (Thursday) to grabbing stuff on that line. That should yield me a few good shots of stuff coming out of the tunnel. I wasn't aware that they could use DPU's in the tunnel, so it'll be interesting to see if they actually are!
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