Western Railroad Discussion > Around Bellingham and Anacortes

I lived in Bellingham, WA from 2003 to 2006 and still get down there occasionally. Here are some photos taken over two days last week:
1, 2. The Bellingham switcher returns to park near the old depot and freight shed after serving customers north of town.
3. The next morning, a southbound Amtrak Cascade passes the depot.

Loleta Fernbridge

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4. Northbound coal loads at Bellingham.
5. This old spur is still in use, though it's served by a trackmobile.
6. Southbound RMR meets a northbound freight at South Bellingham.

- L.F.

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7. After the RMR passes, the northbound freight leaves siding at South Bellingham.
8, 9. The Anacortes Branch gets some serious trains now, not just the daily "Annie" but these unit oil trains to and from Fidalgo.

- L.F.

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10, 11. The unit train crosses the marshland along Padilla Bay east of Fidalgo.
12. Savage switch engines for moving tank cars around Fidalgo.

- L.F.

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Neat. Is that miniture RR still there in Anacortez?

Great photos, I visited Bellingham once in 1999 but didn't see any trains.  I had no idea the Rocky Mountaineer went into the US. 

Rich

Great shots! I have never seen that much ip there.

Jim

Nice shots! Was this July 7th? If so, it looks like I was a few metres (or yards) south of you. The unit numbers are the same.
That northbound coal load, tail end.
The norhtbound freight that stopped to let the RMR go by. I didn't wait around for the RMR, we had a Trader Joes pit stop to attend to.

Bellingham is a great spot, I love Fairhaven.

 

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Once again great coverage. Interesting to see the large swing bridge.

Nice pics of a seldom seen locale.  Thanks for sharing.

loleta Wrote:
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> 5. This old spur is still in use, though it's
> served by a trackmobile.

Mt. Baker Plywood. The trackmobile is an improvement. When I was working there, they used a forklift.Periodically, cars would get away and go over the derail. Periodically, cars, even brand new ones, would have holes in the doors from using a forklift to open them. One brand new C&O box car had a cool rack rail and wheel opening mechanism. The forklift speared the door and tore up the rack gear, I guess not noticing that you just turn the wheel and the door opens easily (or too lazy to get off the bull). MILW never charged them for any of the damage or derailments because the agent was afraid that might upset them.

TAW

Nice pics!!  I like Pic 10!!