Passenger Trains > New Commuter Rail Proposed

Who's on board with proposal for new commuter train?

Snohomish County officials are interested; Port of Seattle has final say



A private company's bid to run commuter trains from Snohomish County to Bellevue is gaining traction with the Snohomish County Council.

GNP Railway is proposing six commuter trips from Snohomish to Bellevue weekday mornings and six return trips in the afternoon. Supporters say the figure could someday double to 12 each way.

Growing traffic woes and a dearth of cash for road projects makes the idea is so appealing that county attorneys are drafting cooperation and confidentiality agreements between the county and train operator, County Council chairman Dave Somers said.

By Jeff Switzer and Yoshiaki Nohara, Herald Writers

See http://www.heraldnet.com/ for the complete article.

Oh and let me guess, Reading 2100 is going to be the motive power.

Whatever happened to it, is it still locked away in Washington? How long beofre it gets cut up for non-payment of rent someday?

And what of it's ding-dong egotistic owner Tom Payne?

Sound's interesting, but it's hard to imagine a private commuter rail line being profitable.

Also, if service on the north segment of the Eastside Line is unsuccessful, then it could jeopardize service on the south end, Tukwila-Renton-Bellevue, which Sound Transit is considering.

Tom Payne is involved with the proposed new service.

Let's leave this issue in the hands of Sound Transit, railfans have good intentions but have proved to be unworthy of running a Railroad.