Trains.com

Mudslides season again north and now south of Seattle.

17248 views
79 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Thursday, December 17, 2015 8:34 PM

ORNHOO

SPV has an atlas that covers Oregon/Washington???

I haven't been able to find it on their website.

 

Yes, I have SPV atlases of the entire United States and Canada. Over the years, I have been able to obtain them all--except for those that have been revised since I obtained them. It is possible, though, that some are out of print.

Johnny

  • Member since
    November 2014
  • 250 posts
Posted by ORNHOO on Thursday, December 17, 2015 5:05 PM

SPV has an atlas that covers Oregon/Washington???

I haven't been able to find it on their website.

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 9:45 PM

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).

Johnny

  • Member since
    November 2014
  • 250 posts
Posted by ORNHOO on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 9:25 PM

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.

 

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 2,593 posts
Posted by PNWRMNM on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 9:24 PM

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

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 6:30 PM

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.

Johnny

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 6:07 PM

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

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 10:13 PM

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.

Amtrak Service Disruption between Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA

Track closure due to severe weather related conditions north of Portland

BNSF Railway Co. has temporarily closed railroad tracks to passenger trains between Portland, Ore. and Vancouver, Wash., due to high waters along tracks north of the Amtrak Portland Union Station. BNSF will continue to inspect and evaluate the tracks in order to resume service on Wednesday, Dec. 9. These tracks are used by Amtrak Cascades, Coast Starlight and Empire Builder trains.
Alternate motor coach transportation is being provided between Portland, Ore. and Vancouver, Wash., for Amtrak Cascades passengers. Coast Starlight and Empire Builder trains will be rerouted through the area.
Train service south of Portland 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.
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.
 
Note Builder still with problems of landslide north of Seattle.
 
Close

Amtrak Services Disrupted between Seattle and Vancouver, BC

Alternate transportation provided for Amtrak Cascades and Empire Builder trains

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

 

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • 3,231 posts
Posted by NorthWest on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 9:51 PM

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.

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 12:10 PM

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.

 

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Sunday, November 15, 2015 10:32 AM

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

 
MAC appears you are correct as Seattle times says it is between Tacoma - Nesquallly.  According to article more than one slide ?
 
 
 
 
  • Member since
    September 2014
  • 134 posts
Posted by JC UPTON on Sunday, November 15, 2015 9:55 AM

deleted

from the Far East of the Sunset Route

(In the shadow of the Huey P Long bridge)

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 2,593 posts
Posted by PNWRMNM on Sunday, November 15, 2015 7:11 AM

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

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Sunday, November 15, 2015 5:49 AM

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

 

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, November 14, 2015 7:16 PM

6 to 7 inches of rain closes SEA - PDX due to a mudslide.

Amtrak Service Disrupted between Tacoma and Olympia, Wash.

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.

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, October 19, 2015 1:38 PM

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

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, August 17, 2015 4:14 PM

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

 

 

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 2,593 posts
Posted by PNWRMNM on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 2:22 PM

Some probably are. We will all find out which when one or two go. There is more than one price for the georgeous view.

Mac

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 10:24 AM

Are the homes in no danger of sliding down the embankment?

Johnny

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • 3,231 posts
Posted by NorthWest on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 9:01 AM

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.

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 2,593 posts
Posted by PNWRMNM on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 6:57 AM

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

  • Member since
    December 2009
  • 1,751 posts
Posted by dakotafred on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 6:18 AM

Northwest, Mac and others:

I wonder to what extent BNSF could be "proactive," as they say, about this chronic problem. The drumlins aren't going away (except down onto the track), and it's always going to rain a lot on Seattle-Everett.

Do the hills tend to slump in approximately the same places over and over, or is the entire mileage vulnerable? If the former, how about some localized dynamiting to bring the troublemakers down? (I'm assuming any people living up there tumbled onto the tracks a long time ago.) How far back and up does the railroad property go?

I've ridden the line many times, and it is surely one lovely ride. However, one would think it would be the  despair of headquarters.

 

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, March 16, 2015 10:08 PM

The count is up to 5 for this weekend's count and another this Monday afternoon.  Now no passenger service until Wedensday afternoon.  All passengers will be bused to / from Everret - Seattle.  Here are some fairly good videos of the latest.

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/5th-landslide-closes-tracks-north-of-Seattle-296508601.html

 

 

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • 3,231 posts
Posted by NorthWest on Monday, March 16, 2015 8:59 AM

blue streak 1
situation must be getting better. Went almost 5 weeks without one.

Well, there were 4 weeks of unseasonably warm and dry weather that culminated in a dramatic rainstorm yesterday, which dumped far more rain than a typical one. That seems to be what sets them off, but usually mudslide season is over by this time of year.

I was wondering why so many trains were stacked up south of Argo.

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, March 16, 2015 8:19 AM

another slide cancelling pass trains today and tomorrow.  situation must be getting better.  Went almost 5 weeks without one.

Northline Sounder service is canceled tomorrow 3/16/15 due to a mudslide. Sound Transit will continue to monitor the situation, if there are no additional events, service is expected to resume Wednesday, 3/18/15.  Please monitor www.SoundTransit.org/alerts for updates to Sounder Northline service prior to your commute.

 

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 1:54 AM

Another slide cancelling SEA - Everett Wedensday - Thursday

 

Northline Sounder service is canceled tomorrow, 2/11/15 due to a mudslide that occurred this evening, Feb. 10th. Sound Transit will continue to monitor the situation, if there are no additional events, service is expected to resume Friday, 2/13/15.

 

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 2/11/15 will be provided tomorrow in the early afternoon.

 

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • 3,231 posts
Posted by NorthWest on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 8:05 PM

Thanks, I had not heard. Most likely occured along the bluffs in White Rock, BC.

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 12:09 PM

And now another north of Everett.  Cascades only cancelled Bellingham - Vancouver BC. 

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Alert_C&pagename=am/AM_Alert_C/Alerts_Popup&cid=1251627640207

 

 

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 2,593 posts
Posted by PNWRMNM on Sunday, February 8, 2015 8:28 PM

Streak,

Everett does not end with an "e".

Mac

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Sunday, February 8, 2015 7:20 PM

Another slide cancels SEA - Everett thru Monday afternoon.

But as well Kelso - PDX cancelled due to another slide.

 

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Alert_C&pagename=am/AM_Alert_C/Alerts_Popup&cid=1251627624851

 

 

 

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy