The GN relocated a couple of miles of track north of Edmonds away from the base of the hill and into the sound some time between 1900 and 1960. In doing so they introduced a single track segment in an otherwise double track line. I think the Sounder agency paid to double track this segment as part of the deal by which BNSF now runs Sounder trains between Seattle and Everett.
I do not know for sure but suspect railroad right of way is 100 feet, which leaves about 30 feet beyond the upslope ditch. Not much room. If the railroad were to undertake a program to move the hills say 100 feet away it would be a hugely expensive project, would generate thousands of trainloads of fill looking for a place to be dumped, and really p*** off the former owners of the homes on top of the hills that would have to be removed. Such a program is far beyond the ability of the railroad to pay for.
There may be spots where some things can be done, but I expect the slides to continue.
Mac
The slides happen all along that stretch, though some areas are worse than others. Most of the homeowners tend to wish that the noisy railroad would go away, and so are not very cooperative when it comes to slide prevention on their property.
Are the homes in no danger of sliding down the embankment?
Johnny
Some probably are. We will all find out which when one or two go. There is more than one price for the georgeous view.
WsDOT starting 4 mitigation projects mot to beat wet season sometime after October. Seems a little too close for comfort.
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2015/08/17_raillandslideprojects.htm
Report mitigation project complete. Just in time before rainy season. We will see if this works or a few new locations are found.
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/mow/news/Washington-DOT-nears-completion-of-landslide-mitigation-projects--46173
6 to 7 inches of rain closes SEA - PDX due to a mudslide.
Nov. 14, 2015 1:00 pm PST
BNSF Railway Co. has imposed a moratorium on passenger trains between Tacoma and Olympia, Wash., due to a landslide. These tracks are used by Amtrak Cascades and Coast Starlight trains and are expected to reopen Monday morning.
Amtrak is working to secure alternate transportation and will provide updates when available. This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant.
Passengers with travel plans can confirm their train's status, change their plans or review refund information using a range of tools – including Amtrak.com, smartphone apps or by calling 800-USA-RAIL. Service Alerts, Passenger Notices and other announcements are posted at Amtrak.com/alerts.
Follow @Amtrak on Twitter.
Anyone know if the Lakeview by-pass now under construction would have gone around this mudslide ?
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Alert_C&pagename=am/AM_Alert_C/Alerts_Popup&cid=1251629920854
Streak,
ATK's location is too vague to allow anyone to answer the question.
The geographic south end of the Lakeview line joins/leaves the main a bit south of where I-5 goes under the railroad, which is a mile or so south of where the line begins (northward) to run along side the Sound. The hillsides north of the connection are higher and steeper than those south so odds are answer is YES, but can not be certain from data provided.
deleted
from the Far East of the Sunset Route
(In the shadow of the Huey P Long bridge)
PNWRMNM Streak, ATK's location is too vague to allow anyone to answer the question. The geographic south end of the Lakeview line joins/leaves the main a bit south of where I-5 goes under the railroad, which is a mile or so south of where the line begins (northward) to run along side the Sound. The hillsides north of the connection are higher and steeper than those south so odds are answer is YES, but can not be certain from data provided. Mac
Well another mudslide north os Seattle due to 5 + inches of rain. Note the copied link. WA DOT claimed that most mudslides were mitigated. But the link does not say mud slide but blockage. Political correctness ? Wonder how Seattle news stated it ?
Northline Sounder service is canceled tomorrow, 12/08/15 due to a blocking event that occurred this evening, 12/07/15. Sound Transit will continue to monitor the situation, if there are no additional events, service is expected to resume Thursday morning, 12/10/15.
Please visit www.SoundTransit.org/alerts for updates to Sounder Northline service prior to your commute.
Sound Transit will provide special buses with direct service to and from Seattle. Riders may also take regularly scheduled bus service. Evening bus service for 12/08/15 will be provided tomorrow in the early afternoon.
Washington has seen record rainfall this week. And it is supposed to continue for another week.
The slides are probably in another area. The worst areas were fixed, now other areas are the problem. Hopefully they will be a problem less often.
Well its not a landslide but the rain has flooded out BNSF just north of Portland station. Amtrak appears that it is detouring the Starlight back across the steel bridge onto a UP bypass.
BNSF Railway Co. has imposed a 48 hour moratorium on passenger trains between Seattle and Vancouver, BC, due to a landslide. These tracks are used by Amtrak Cascades and Empire Builder trains and are expected to reopen on Thursday, December 10.
Alternate transportation is being provided between Seattle and Vancouver, BC for Amtrak Cascades passengers and between Seattle and Everett, Wash., for Empire Builder passengers.
Train service south of Seattle is not affected. Amtrak regrets any inconvenience. This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant
It appears that the unprecedented rain, flooding , mudslide session the past week is finally in abatment. Anyone know how EB to Portland was routed on the UP from Spokane ?
http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/12/amtrak_service_between_portlan.html
blue streak 1 It appears that the unprecedented rain, flooding , mudslide session the past week is finally in abatment. Anyone know how EB to Portland was routed on the UP from Spokane ? http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/12/amtrak_service_between_portlan.html
What about the detour of the Coast Starlight? Through Wishram also?--that would be a doozy of a detour.
There was no reason to reroute EB to/from Spokane.
The high water was on the BNSF north of Union Station in Portland. Reroute of inbound EB would leave regular route at North Portland, travel through Albina to the Steel Bridge and enter depot from geographic south end.
Starlight from the south PROBABLY used regular route to Union Depot, then backed up for about a mile on its usual route across the Steel Bridge, then went north at the wye on the geographic east side of the river, and proceeded thru Albina to North Portland where it regained the BNSF and its original route.
The short version is that trains used UP freight line on east side of Willamette River between Steel Bridge and North Portland. Sorry can not remember the name of the wye on the east end of the steel bridge.
Mac McCulloch
They couldn't even take BNSF to St. Johns (Water over the rails at Willbridge). My guess is that #14 backed out of Union Station and across the Steel Bridge, then north through U.P.'s Riverside Yard and Mock Crest tunnel to the BNSF junction by Delta Park. If #27 had not been turned it could follow the same route without a reverse move.
Deggesty blue streak 1 It appears that the unprecedented rain, flooding , mudslide session the past week is finally in abatment. Anyone know how EB to Portland was routed on the UP from Spokane ? http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/12/amtrak_service_between_portlan.html BNSF to Wishram and then across the river to the UP? What about the detour of the Coast Starlight? Through Wishram also?--that would be a doozy of a detour.
BNSF to Wishram and then across the river to the UP?
Thanks, Mac. At first, I thought that simply bypassing the BNSF's line between the river and the station was the detour--but the mention that the Cascades trains terminated/originated in Vancouver puzzled me. And, just now, I remembered that the Talgo equipment does not like fixed frogs--and I doubt that the UP has movable point frogs between North Portland and East Portland, therefore it is not wise to move the Talgo equipment through that detour.
The wye at the east end of the Steel Bridge is East Portland (courtesy of SPV's atlas).
SPV has an atlas that covers Oregon/Washington???
I haven't been able to find it on their website.
ORNHOO SPV has an atlas that covers Oregon/Washington??? I haven't been able to find it on their website.
First one of the year. Bustitutions SEA - Everett for Builder
Northline Sounder service between Seattle and Everett is canceled tomorrow 1/22/16, due to a mudslide. Special bus service information for tomorrow mornings commute, along with the regularly scheduled bus service is listed below and on our website.
Finally open for both Amtrak and Sounder
Sound Transit has decided to resume normal train service between Everett and Seattle beginning tomorrow morning, 1/25/16, provided there are no additional blocking events between now and the start of service. We will continue to monitor the situation throughout the week. Your patience has been greatly appreciated.
Another slide Sunday the 13th. Another 48 hour cancellation for Amtrak Seattle - Everette & north line Sounder trains.
Sound Transit <soundtransit@public.govdelivery.com> Northline Sounder continues to be canceled due to a blocking event that occurred just south of Mukilteo on 3/13/16. Sound Transit will continue to monitor the situation, if there are no additional events
Northline Sounder continues to be canceled due to a blocking event that occurred just south of Mukilteo on 3/13/16. Sound Transit will continue to monitor the situation, if there are no additional events service is projected to resume Wednesday, 3/16/16.
Northline Sounder special bus service information for tonight’s commute along with the regularly scheduled bus service is listed below.
All special buses will allow pre-boarding at 5th Ave S and Weller St (facing south) and depart from 4th Ave S and S. Jackson St at the times listed below.
Another slide extends service disruption thru Wedensday..
March 15, 2016 8:30 a.m. PDT
A second landslide on BNSF Railway tracks north of Seattle has led to an extension in the temporary track closure as BNSF has imposed the standard 48-hour moratorium on passenger trains between Seattle and Everett. Alternate transportation will be provided using chartered buses. Service south of Seattle is not affected.
First one for this winter season. Fortunately a day after the Sunday Thanksgiving rush. Amtrak gets cancelled as well till Wednesday.
North line Sounder service is canceled tonight 11/28/16 due to a mudslide. Sound Transit will monitor the situation, if there are no additional events, service is expected to resume Wednesday, morning, 11/30/16. North line Sounder special bus service information for this evening’s service along with the regularly scheduled bus service is listed below. Please monitor www.SoundTransit.org/schedules/alerts for updates to Sounder North line service prior to your commute.
Morning bus service for 11/29/16 will be provided tonight after 6 pm.
All special buses will allow pre-boarding at 5th Ave S and Weller St (facing south) and depart from 4th Ave S and S. Jackson
I was on 513 through there yesterday... the train was 100% full and the conductor kept making announcements to that effect. Glad it waited until today.
Seattle Sounder north line got first slide of year. Two days no passenger service will affect Emipire Builder as if Builder has not had its travails.
LINK
Sound Transit <soundtransit@public.govdelivery.com> North line Sounder service is canceled this evening, 2/09/17, due to a mudslide. Sound Transit will monitor the situation, if there are no additional events, service is expected to resume Monday morni
North line Sounder service is canceled this evening, 2/09/17, due to a mudslide. Sound Transit will monitor the situation, if there are no additional events, service is expected to resume Monday morning, 2/13/17. Regularly scheduled bus service will operate as normal and is listed below. Updates will be provided as they become available.
Tomorrow morning’s bus service for 2/10/17 will be provided this evening.
EDIT More info about item below in this post could not add at end of original post.
Sound Transit <soundtransit@public.govdelivery.com> There is report of a second potential mudslide just south of Edmonds. The area is currently being inspected to determine if travel through will be allowed. In the meantime train #1706 (5:35pm Seattle
There is report of a second potential mudslide just south of Edmonds. The area is currently being inspected to determine if travel through will be allowed. In the meantime train #1706(5:35pm Seattle departure) will return to Seattle.
Just when BNSF hoped no more mudslides north of Seattle. However Sounder notice a little Ambigious. Should mean no occupied passenger trains for 48 hours ?
Sound Transit <soundtransit@public.govdelivery.com> North line Sounder train #1706 (5:35pm Seattle departure) will not depart Seattle tonight due to additional time needed to assess the mudslide and tracks for safe travel. Please take the regularly sch
North line Sounder train #1706(5:35pm Seattle departure) will not depart Seattle tonight due to additional time needed to assess the mudslide and tracks for safe travel.
Please take the regularly scheduled and special buses listed below
Definite mudslide with cancellations thru Friday for Amtrak. How much rain there for this latest ?
Sound Transit <soundtransit@public.govdelivery.com> North line Sounder service is canceled today, 2/16/17 due to a mudslide. Sound Transit will monitor the situation, if there are no additional events, service is expected to resume Monday morning, 2/20
North line Sounder service is canceled today, 2/16/17 due to a mudslide. Sound Transit will monitor the situation, if there are no additional events, service is expected to resume Monday morning, 2/20/17.
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