SeattleRailFan Went in August a few years ago for three days; rained two and was sunny for one. But I'll give you that, it is pretty damn scenic even when gloomy.
+ChachaChapati You should have been here this summer. July and August was non-stop 80's and 90's. Heck, we hit 80 degrees today, here in early September. We'll get summers like this, then ones where we barely hit 70 even once.
SeattleRailFan Beautiful weather or not, there was no shortage of trains. All it took was a short walk to the Jackson Street overpass and a freight would emerge from the tunnel within five minutes.
The story on the red caboose that you see near the end of the video is that it's an old Great Northern caboose (at least it's painted in GN colors) that's been parked by that building for decades. It's rented out as office space. Go to Google Maps and search for "3161 Elliott Ave, Seattle". Switch to Street View and you can see it in the parking lot.
I'm amazed there are still level crossings in the downtown of a major American city. Surely as place as prosperous as Seattle could build grade separation.
Problem is grade separation takes space. Lots of space. If a road has to be raised 20-25 feet to clear the tracks, you need a ramp a couple of hundred feet long to keep the ramp grade from being too steep. Here on the waterfront, there just isn't enough room for long ramps. Only if there was so much rail traffic that it was seriously impacting road traffic would monies be spent on grade separation. Right now, it really isn't that much of a problem. The roads impacted here aren't right in the core of downtown where traffic volumes are much higher.
SeattleRailFan I'll bet there were many dozens of motorists delayed by this event who would disagree with you - probably vehemently! ~15 minutes spent waiting at a crossing while trains dawdle by would not exactly make their day. Excellent filming work, btw.
Like it is in Chicago...many Highrises and Condos are squeezing railroads to have to go through locations like this...but I think they are fun to watch and photograph! I have to make another trip out there one of these days! Ten to One they have passed ordinances about Trains blowing horns at crossings in this area! But they can use the bells, however.
That track was originally the Northern Pacific mainline that ran right along the waterfront. It went out of use in the '70s In the '80s it was re-purposed for use by a waterfront trolley. We bought some old trolley cars from Melbourne Australia and they ran back and froth down the waterfront, mostly as a tourist thing. It's been out of service for 7-8 years or so, though.
Sweet video, that KCS motive power was a real treat to see. We don't get a lot of KCS motive power in the PNW. Also thanks for railfanning Seattle so I don't have to. I tend to railfan Vancouver, Kalama, and Kelso so you don't have to as well. Feel free to check out my channel sometime. John
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Great footage; Seattle is a very picturesque city--when the weather's nice.
+ChachaChapati No, it's just as beautiful when it's raining. Maybe more so.
SeattleRailFan Went in August a few years ago for three days; rained two and was sunny for one. But I'll give you that, it is pretty damn scenic even when gloomy.
+ChachaChapati You should have been here this summer. July and August was non-stop 80's and 90's. Heck, we hit 80 degrees today, here in early September. We'll get summers like this, then ones where we barely hit 70 even once.
SeattleRailFan Beautiful weather or not, there was no shortage of trains. All it took was a short walk to the Jackson Street overpass and a freight would emerge from the tunnel within five minutes.
+ChachaChapati Yup, the mainline through the city is very busy with freight trains, commuter trains and Amtrak.
Greetings from NC! Awesome video, Seattle looks like a wonderful place to live! Thanks for sharing, I enjoy your videos!
Another great waterfront video with a mix of motive power. Thank's so much for sharing.
The story on the red caboose that you see near the end of the video is that it's an old Great Northern caboose (at least it's painted in GN colors) that's been parked by that building for decades. It's rented out as office space. Go to Google Maps and search for "3161 Elliott Ave, Seattle". Switch to Street View and you can see it in the parking lot.
awesome video...thank you for sharing
I'm amazed there are still level crossings in the downtown of a major American city. Surely as place as prosperous as Seattle could build grade separation.
Problem is grade separation takes space. Lots of space. If a road has to be raised 20-25 feet to clear the tracks, you need a ramp a couple of hundred feet long to keep the ramp grade from being too steep. Here on the waterfront, there just isn't enough room for long ramps.
Only if there was so much rail traffic that it was seriously impacting road traffic would monies be spent on grade separation. Right now, it really isn't that much of a problem. The roads impacted here aren't right in the core of downtown where traffic volumes are much higher.
SeattleRailFan I'll bet there were many dozens of motorists delayed by this event who would disagree with you - probably vehemently! ~15 minutes spent waiting at a crossing while trains dawdle by would not exactly make their day. Excellent filming work, btw.
Another great one. Please keep em coming.
Like it is in Chicago...many Highrises and Condos are squeezing railroads to have to go through locations like this...but I think they are fun to watch and photograph! I have to make another trip out there one of these days! Ten to One they have passed ordinances about Trains blowing horns at crossings in this area! But they can use the bells, however.
Super job SRF!, a good mix of power and some great GE sounds !. Plus a cute blonde as well..LOL. Loved it.
Cheers Gregg
Good job conductor, detrained without the reflective vest
OMG! Look at that "squeezzzzzzeee" that the Freight Train has to go into the curve next to that building! Well, BNSF know what it's doing!
Really injoyed the video
awesome videos!
A very nice video of the twin meet. And Yes I did subscribe, very interesting.
why did he not throttle up as soon as he threw thecswitch?
Warren Buffet sure has a nice train set in Seattle !
Is there a story to the caboose?
Hey Seattle, is that spur on the right used anymore, or is it a relic track?
That track was originally the Northern Pacific mainline that ran right along the waterfront. It went out of use in the '70s In the '80s it was re-purposed for use by a waterfront trolley. We bought some old trolley cars from Melbourne Australia and they ran back and froth down the waterfront, mostly as a tourist thing. It's been out of service for 7-8 years or so, though.
Sweet video, that KCS motive power was a real treat to see. We don't get a lot of KCS motive power in the PNW.
Also thanks for railfanning Seattle so I don't have to. I tend to railfan Vancouver, Kalama, and Kelso so you don't have to as well. Feel free to check out my channel sometime.
John
aw to bad the warbonnet wasn't leading
Quiet zones are from the devil.
This Guy Agreed. Can't stand the wimpy sounding "whistle" they produce. Wimpy city dwellers - don't like train horns, don't buy a condo by the tracks!