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[quote]QUOTE: Originally posted by trails2rails Given this scenario: BN closed Stampede, invested in Snoqualmie: - What would traffic patterns on Snoqualmie be like today? - What would the physical plant be like? - Where would the route's operating hubs, yards, etc, be? [/quote] This has been discussed at length in other threads. If BN had rebuilt the Milwaukee line between the Puget Sound and Ellensburg, they could have replaced Stampede's 2.2% grades with Milwaukee's 1.7% eastbound and 0.7% westbound. Additionally, clearances in Milwaukee's Snoqualmie tunnel would allow double stacks over this line. If we include the addition of Milwaukee's Ellensburg to Lind segment, then it is possible that traffic patterns would be inclusive of most if not all Spokane-Seattle traffic. Grain trains and other heavy tonnage consists would be able to run Spokane to Seattle via Pasco and Yakima over the old NP alignment used today, while intermodals could run Spokane-Seattle via the Lind-Ellensburg cutoff. The ruling grades over the MIlwaukee's Lind-Ellensburg segment are 1.7% eastbound and 2.2% westbound, effectively eliminating use by grain trains, thus the Pasco-Yakima routing. Thus, it is possible that BN could have abandoned or mothballed their Stevens Pass line. According to the Washington State Rail Capacity study, the authors envisioned the possibility of a single intermodal crew district between Spokane and Seattle via this routing, but I doubt that existing crew districts for heavier trains would have changed much. There would have been a built in double track between Ellensburg and Easton with both the ex-NP and ex-Milwaukee lines running parallel between this two towns.
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