Western Railroad Discussion > Past and Present - Tacoma, WA

Well, not having photos of my own separated by 5 years, that meet the criteria of this contest, I brought in a partner.

Blair Kooistra has provided this wonderful moody image of Milwaukee F units (looks like a Geep in there t0o), crossing the Milwaukee trestle in downtown Tacoma. The light power move, helpers for the 2.5% main line grade off to the left, have just passed Freighthouse Square, and Tacoma Box Co. Blair was standing on the rickety L street bridge over the tracks.

Fast forward nearly 31 years. The Milwaukee road is of course long gone. So is the even more rickety L street bridge, having been recently replaced with a nice sturdy concrete structure. Aside from those items, a lot has not changed. The trestle is still in place, so is Freighthouse Square, now frequented by modern looking Sound transit trains, complete withe EMD F units (well F59's). Even Tacoma Box company is still there. As one would expect, numerous new buildings have sprouted in 31 years, but all in all a pretty interesting comparison.

Steve Carter
Gig Harbor, WA
My Photography

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Beautiful comparison Steve!

It will be a sad day when that bridge is replaced in the coming years.

Steve the grade isn't 2.5%... Its 3.85%!!!

Man just to catch a sunset there is a miracle in itself. good contrast.

washybryan Wrote:
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> Steve the grade isn't 2.5%... Its 3.85%!!!


On the trestle in the shot, the grade is relatively mild. It is only after the sharp corner on the other side of the freight house that the steep section begins. Sounder never touches it.

Best regards,

Rob L.

But Amtrak and Grand Luxe did tackle that hill!

Ed

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Why is the headlight and marker lights still on? One or other. Amtrak will return soon.