Announcing BNSF Stevens Pass

[ErikGorbiHamilton]

the BN SD40-2's will work perfectly here!

[ricksan]

The Boeing Company has several facilities in the greater Seattle area. The largest of these is in Everett and it's here that they make the jumbo jets. BNSF is ready to serve! But it's not easy.

Containerized parts are barged from across the Pacific Rim, primarily Japan, and offloaded onto flatcars by the traveling gantry crane at Mount Baker Terminal. The containers are ridiculously oversize, and the contents are of very high value. A pair of GP38-2s is needed to transport them to the Everett plant.



To get from the container terminal (left background) to the Boeing spur (right), we have to cross over several tracks, including the BNSF main line. This move puts the main out of service for about 15 minutes. Those are decommissioned oil tanks on the left, formerly the property of the US Air Force.



We've also crossed over into Mukilteo, a small city just south of Everett. Domestically manufactured aircraft parts are delivered here in unique, dedicated railcars bearing the TBCX reporting mark. Here's a view from the Sounder commuter rail platform. Now our train will reverse up the hill to the plant.



Did I say we'll be picking up a caboose? Well, we just did and it will lead the way up.



And I think I said we'd be going up a hill. How about a hill with grades of 5% or more for nearly two miles? Now you know why we needed two Geeps. And we're going in reverse because a broken coupler in mid-consist could be very embarrassing. The crew in the caboose is there to keep an eye on those containers.



Finally we arrive at Paine Field and the Boeing yard...



...where we can set out our consist, pick up some empties, and return to Sea Level. If there's nothing more to do here today, our engines will head back up to Bayside Yard in Everett.



By the way, in the mid-background we're looking at the main assembly building which just happens to be the largest building in the world by volume.

Hope you enjoyed the tour!

[pschlik]

Looks sooooo cool! So many possible scenarios with this route!

[thecanadianrail]

[Noel]

I can't wait for this.

[buzz456]

I can't wait for this.

You must.

[PapaXpress]

And I shall.

[Noel]

I can't wait for this.

You must.

So I will patiently wait.

[imnew]

[fecrails]

Wow!
Good things come to those who wait.

[Rbsanford]

Will this route be going all the way to Seattle?

[eyein12]

No it wont. they stop in Everett

We are in talks about finishing that last chunk between Everett and seattle in my route. overlapping the two so that theres a physical connection between the two routes.

[dejoh]

No it wont. they stop in Everett

We are in talks about finishing that last chunk between Everett and seattle in my route. overlapping the two so that theres a physical connection between the two routes.

Now that sounds choice. I'll be waiting.

[XDriver]

Please try to avoid comparing StP to other specific routes, past or present. StP is what it is. We're not trying to outdo anyone except maybe ourselves!

Very interesting. You ARE out doing yourselves.

[ErikGorbiHamilton]

Some MSTS included as well

BNSF 2081 the GP38-2 from MSTS is a permanently assigned engine over here for the run to paine field.