Announcing BNSF Stevens Pass

[PapaXpress]

Is there a bridge or underpass nearby? I have a less technical looking device along my route which checks if the wagons will clear.

[buzz456]

I have one of them on the tracks just north of my house. No tunnels and I think lots of clearance everywhere nearby, however Chicago is fifty miles away.

[5292nate]

But it will also pick up a train that has, lets say pipes that somehow came loose and are dragging. Or lumber. It's not just for bridge and tunnel clearance. It's for ensuring that a train is not losing any loads or anything like that.

[OldProf]

Maybe it snaps a photo of harried engineers, who will soon receive a speeding ticket in the mail?

[ricksan]

Thanks for your insights on the detector gantry. The consensus seems to be this is for spotting things that shouldn't be sticking out. Makes sense.

Funny, the nearest tunnel, Cascade, is 54 miles to the east -- go figure. As for bridges, yes there's a through-truss bridge 1/2 mile to the east. It happens to be the first of many more farther along the pike (I know, I made them all!). It's another 100 miles to the last one, but there's no similar detector there.

Anyway, I'll add this since it's, well, interesting. Look for it on the route, just west of Sultan. WA.

[wacampbell]

The things you call "those two shotgun-style detectors", appear to be recievers for the transmitters up on the top of the tower. ie to form a beam that comes down each side of the car. The other pair of detectors form a beam across the top of the car.

[ricksan]

Done!

[buzz456]

[PapaXpress]

SWEET!

[fecrails]

[pschlik]

Nice!

[ricksan]

Skykomish as a small community a few miles west of Stevens Pass. At one time it was a hub of activity on the Great Northern, being the point where steam and diesel power was exchanged for electric locos for the haul through Cascade Tunnel and on down to Wenatchee. A power plant and a diesel fueling facility were once located on the south side of the main, but they have long since been removed. BNSF was recently involved in a soil remediation project at the site and the property is being transformed into a modest town park with a railroad theme. Among the park's features is the old depot building -- or rather, half of it. We chose to "restore" the depot to its original design and location on the north side of the tracks -- not as an actual station stop but perhaps as a museum? The non-functional train order signal is part of the display, as is GN X294 (inset).



Let's look around the town. Here's the library, along with the Cascadia Hotel.



In addition to being a tavern, the Whistling Post is where a good deal of town business gets conducted. Even the local quilting society meets here. The building was torched last year, but it has since been rebuilt, a testament to its importance. Here it is in its original configuration.



And finally, this is what you see after you cross the Skykomish River bridge and arrive at the town center. The historic Skykomish hotel is on the corner and that's the grade school farther down the street. Off camera, the depot is just behind us and the Whistling Post is to the right.



As you can see, people around here still have fond memories of the Great Northern.

[Rbsanford]

Great work guys! I love the scenery in the third picture.

[thecanadianrail]

Awesome job, I cant wait for it! By the looks of it this will steal the title of "route of the year" from Marias Pass! (This is meant only towards routes released through steam)

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

A route with lots of custom made buildings that lend it grace and character. Much needed amongst the somewhat lookalike DLC coming from RSC lately.

Thankfully, you guys have earned your spurs in 3D design for other sims, and it shows.

Those high and wide detectors talk in prototype and some other sims. But I don't know if more cab audio and random defects are much appreciated by the Railworks players.

Nevertheless, there is little doubt this route will be at the top of the wish list for most of us by Christmas.