I worked for EMD for many years. We did locomotive adhesion testing on Stampede Pass. We worked out of Auburn, Washington. We would run out to Stampede Pass with the test train every day. That was in the mid-1970's. I was just a kid back then !
Great Video! I spent about 2 hours last weekend waiting as they built a train to go over Stampede Pass. Def worth the wait and caught it heading east over the small bridge by the Green River!
I really enjoyed this one. I've seen a few of these mega-trains myself, and they're quite a sight. The coverage of the chase was done well, and the bridge shot especially was fantastic.
Thank you Tom! This mega was shorter then most megas, reading 782 axles at the West Easton Defect Detector. Most are usually 900+ axles. It was to our benefit though since it was easier to chase!
My father was in charge of the Burlington Northern chip plant just east of Cle Elum back in the early 1970s. The place was called Bullfrog Flats at the time. It's now a park from what I understand. It was interesting with the electrified Milwaukee Road to the south and the diesel powered Burlington Northern rthern on the north side. I can still remember the odd sounds of the Milwaukee trains.
If you are willing to do a bit of off-roading (just gravel), there is an excellent spot at 47.21429, -121.43384 where you can park under a huge trestle. To get there, follow I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass and take exit 62 (Stampede Pass/Lake Kachess). Turn right and stay on NF-54. After about 13 miles, turn hard left onto NF-52. Stay on NF-52 until you reach the trestle (About 1 mile. You won't miss it). There is another spot where you can look across at the trestle. To get there from the trestle, go another 2/3 miles to NF-5250. Take a left and stay on NF-5250 for another 2/3 miles and stop at 47.215466, -121.432734. The trestle will be on your left through the trees. (PS: Don't even try going there from November through mid June due to snow.)
It is possible to follow the NF roads and trails to see the tunnels, too. I'd recommend only in the dry, with a 4x4 with good ground clearance, though. Some great views of Rainier up there as well.
A yard job kicked out bad ordered cars, that's what you're seeing at the beginning, then the road crew takes the train either at R Street which is what you saw here, or further east at the Mansion.
Thanks for posting this. After it leaves Palmer , I think it runs by Howard Hanson Reservoir, but that area is all fenced off so can't get a view. It then shows up at the large trestle over NF 52. Then as it climbs out of the valley, it does an interesting loop back, which I have not seen personally. I think after that it goes thru a tunnel before it pops out near Meany Lodge? Not sure but I think that end of the runnel has been extended with concreate as there is a waterfall that comes right down on it? Then on to I90.
Awesome video. I really do hope that rail line will open up to passenger traffic someday. I know Amtrak tested the track a few years back. One issue is the tunnel Hight. It's too short for Amtrak cars so I was told. My brother lives at "Palmer Junction" and that's pretty much the last place to see the train easily on the West side of the mountains since it goes through the watershed for the Green River and it's not open to the public.
Nope. I've been on Superliner excursions thru here years ago. Amtrak used to run thru here regularly for many years in the 1970s. Stampede Tunnel is not high enough for tri-level autoracks or double stack well cars, but everything else fits just fine.
Loved this.. Would love to possibly meet up sometime. Always great seeing trains on stampede. I help volunteer at the Northern Pacific Railway Museum in Toppenish, stop by sometime!!
Great video with lots of good shots that I've never seen of that trackage. But...... A camera shot you had of the train coming across the bridge was pretty cool where they're evidently was a siding but you trespassed having that camera in between the main line and the siding
Do you know how long a grain train will wait at East Auburn by the Green River bridge before getting a warrant to proceed on the line? I have heard that it can take a while.
I do appreciate commentary but your voice was very low. I had to constantly adjust the levels. Next time, could you not always stand at a grade crossing so you pick up the crossing bell clanging? The NP got short shrift among the PNW roads with scant coverage. It also didn't help that BN failed to use the Stampede Line for 20+ years!
First video with voice over, just felt like this trip needed it. If you all like it, I’ll purchase a better mic and continue to do voice overs.
Stampede pass is underrated, glad to see new content being made here.
Thank you! I’ve always wanted to chase on stampede, just never got to it. So it was good to finally chase on it.
I've spent a few thousand hours of my childhood sitting at Palmer Junction waiting for and watching trains. A great rail fanning spot indeed.
I worked for EMD for many years. We did locomotive adhesion testing on Stampede Pass. We worked out of Auburn, Washington. We would run out to Stampede Pass with the test train every day. That was in the mid-1970's. I was just a kid back then !
Great Video! I spent about 2 hours last weekend waiting as they built a train to go over Stampede Pass. Def worth the wait and caught it heading east over the small bridge by the Green River!
Cool video. Being from NJ, I enjoy RR videos of your beautiful state.
Thanks much.
I really enjoyed this one. I've seen a few of these mega-trains myself, and they're quite a sight. The coverage of the chase was done well, and the bridge shot especially was fantastic.
Thank you Tom! This mega was shorter then most megas, reading 782 axles at the West Easton Defect Detector. Most are usually 900+ axles. It was to our benefit though since it was easier to chase!
My father was in charge of the Burlington Northern chip plant just east of Cle Elum back in the early 1970s. The place was called Bullfrog Flats at the time. It's now a park from what I understand.
It was interesting with the electrified Milwaukee Road to the south and the diesel powered Burlington Northern rthern on the north side. I can still remember the odd sounds of the Milwaukee trains.
If you are willing to do a bit of off-roading (just gravel), there is an excellent spot at 47.21429, -121.43384 where you can park under a huge trestle. To get there, follow I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass and take exit 62 (Stampede Pass/Lake Kachess). Turn right and stay on NF-54. After about 13 miles, turn hard left onto NF-52. Stay on NF-52 until you reach the trestle (About 1 mile. You won't miss it). There is another spot where you can look across at the trestle. To get there from the trestle, go another 2/3 miles to NF-5250. Take a left and stay on NF-5250 for another 2/3 miles and stop at 47.215466, -121.432734. The trestle will be on your left through the trees. (PS: Don't even try going there from November through mid June due to snow.)
It is possible to follow the NF roads and trails to see the tunnels, too. I'd recommend only in the dry, with a 4x4 with good ground clearance, though. Some great views of Rainier up there as well.
The bridge is called Kennedy viaduct, about five RR miles east of Lester. It was part of the 1913 line relocation.
Great video. Love the Yakima River canyon shots!
Thank you! It’s a beautiful canyon to drive through and see trains!
Just beautiful video would love to see this part of the USA
very cool - interesting they stop and do a crew change right after leaving Auburn. Love that southern most Yakima river canyon shot.
Thank you!!
A yard job kicked out bad ordered cars, that's what you're seeing at the beginning, then the road crew takes the train either at R Street which is what you saw here, or further east at the Mansion.
Good stuff! Thanks to your Dad for driving you out there.
For sure! Thanks!
Thanks for posting this. After it leaves Palmer , I think it runs by Howard Hanson Reservoir, but that area is all fenced off so can't get a view. It then shows up at the large trestle over NF 52. Then as it climbs out of the valley, it does an interesting loop back, which I have not seen personally. I think after that it goes thru a tunnel before it pops out near Meany Lodge? Not sure but I think that end of the runnel has been extended with concreate as there is a waterfall that comes right down on it? Then on to I90.
Awesome video. A lot of engines for an empty grain train.
Great video, Nate! Really enjoyed it.
-Aaron
Thank you Aaron!
Nice trains! Good video!
Awesome video. I really do hope that rail line will open up to passenger traffic someday. I know Amtrak tested the track a few years back. One issue is the tunnel Hight. It's too short for Amtrak cars so I was told. My brother lives at "Palmer Junction" and that's pretty much the last place to see the train easily on the West side of the mountains since it goes through the watershed for the Green River and it's not open to the public.
Nope. I've been on Superliner excursions thru here years ago. Amtrak used to run thru here regularly for many years in the 1970s. Stampede Tunnel is not high enough for tri-level autoracks or double stack well cars, but everything else fits just fine.
Loved this.. Would love to possibly meet up sometime. Always great seeing trains on stampede. I help volunteer at the Northern Pacific Railway Museum in Toppenish, stop by sometime!!
I’ll be back in Toppenish in the future trust me! I’ve been there twice, it’s a great museum!! Thanks for the kind words.
Great video with lots of good shots that I've never seen of that trackage.
But...... A camera shot you had of the train coming across the bridge was pretty cool where they're evidently was a siding but you trespassed having that camera in between the main line and the siding
Greetings from Leavenworth.
Great video nate! I've gotta get up there more!
Thanks Nathaniel! You just have to very very patient on this line.
@@pnwrailproductions6430 same with PSAP
Do you know how long a grain train will wait at East Auburn by the Green River bridge before getting a warrant to proceed on the line? I have heard that it can take a while.
would enjoy knowing where is a great spot to take phots on Stampede Pass Railroad paparazzi of Tacoma
Now I know how to drive there
Awesome video
Thank you Pete!
what is premission
I like it thanks
sounds like Stobe the Hobo playing piano at the beginning
I do appreciate commentary but your voice was very low. I had to constantly adjust the levels. Next time, could you not always stand at a grade crossing so you pick up the crossing bell clanging?
The NP got short shrift among the PNW roads with scant coverage. It also didn't help that BN failed to use the Stampede Line for 20+ years!
Well done. My only suggestion is to up your volume on your voiceovers, they were a little hard to hear compared to the rest of the video.
Thank you! Yes, I need to get a better mic and did notice it was quiet.
Nice
Talking heads nice