Cascade Tunnel, East Portal, Grain Train

BNSF ES44DC & Dash-9 locomotives are leading Grain train down the Stevens Pass out of the longest tunnel in the US, the Cascade Tunnel, East Portal on 9.23.09. at Berne, Washington. BNSF - Scenic Subdivision.
The Cascade Tunnel is a 7.8-mile (12.5 km) long single-track railroad tunnel at Stevens Pass through the Cascades approximately 65 miles (105 km) to the east of Everett, Washington. It is the longest railroad tunnel in the United States and was constructed by the Great Northern Railway, being put in service on January 12, 1929.

[@adamski3119]

another great vid! cool to see the h3 h2 and h1 schemes in a row like that!

[@MisterEspee]

The door is part of the ventilating system.
An eastbound train arriving at Scenic trips a track circuit that closes the door and starts the fans. Exhaust is always forced out the west portal.
When the train gets about half a mile from the east portal it trips another track circuit that opens the door. After the train clears the east portal the door closes and the fans go in high speed to clear the exhaust out of the tunnel.
West bound trains enter with the door open and the fans on.

[@piktrains]

@KooturKoot
The door is to ventilate the fumes out, to create a better draft. It is only on the east side of the tunnel.

[@HunterBHolmes]

HMM a tunnel with doors... never seen that before.

[@piktrains]

@XxMrbuddyboiiXx
The Cascade Tunnel is a 7.8-mile (12.5 km) long. It is the longest railroad tunnel in the United States.

[@GG1man]

Interesting concept. On another topic, I would like to see the return of the old time railroad detectives. Maybe some of the graffitti perpetrators should have their heads come in contact with a Billy Club.

[@piktrains]

It's not difficult to get there. Just the road was resurfaced with fresh gravel (BALLAST) not to long ago, so it is very lose.