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This is a great discussion, with many intelligent contributions. Someone mentioned that CM&St.P missed an opportunity in 1905 to secure what became the SP&S's route on the north bank of the Columbia River. I partly agree; however, James Hill would have blunted any attempt by CM&St.P's to secure the Columbia River route. CM&St.P didn't set out to build the PSE until 1906. By then it was too late. One other point I want to raise: Over the years there's been talk that BNSF could revive part of the PSE between Ellensburg, Wash., and Lind, Wash., where at both places the former NP and MILW routes intersected (no junctions however). The idea would be to shorten BNSF's route and time over the Stampede Pass route between Interbay (Seattle)/Tacoma and Yardley (Spokane), without encountering delays at Pasco, Wash. Trouble is, a part of the MILW right of way under consideration passed through the heart of Central Washington University, and there are now expensive new campus buildings residing on the right of way. BNSF would have to build a new alignment north of Ellensburg, where new home construction is already proceeding at a rapid rate. The Ellensburg-Lind route for BNSF becomes less practical with each new subdivision. The right of way is still intact west and east of town -- getting around the Urban Growth Boundary and battling the NIMBYs isn't, in my opinion, worth the effort for BNSF at this time.
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