Western Railroad Discussion > BNSF Stevens Pass Shut Down

Surprised this hasn't been mentioned, but BNSF's Stevens Pass has been shut down for a few days due to a series of storms dumping heavy snow and toppling trees onto the tracks. Skykomish has been without power for days now. Amtrak #7 almost got stranded between Noisy Creek and Foss River, but was towed backwards by BNSF power all the way to Spokane. The trainset is currently being turned in Spokane. A westbound Z train that made it as far as Scenic also came back to Spokane to run via the Columbia River Gorge. All the intermodal is being rerouted via the Fallbridge Sub and Stampede is taking the empty coal oil and grain trains which are running on 90 minute headways via Stampede which wasn't hit quite as bad as Stevens Pass. Hwy 2 over Stevens Pass is also shut down indefinately.

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR

Actually has been posted on the passenger board. Latest from BNSF Customer Service Advisories is to reopen at 8 pm CST tonight.Much more snow on the way.

BB

bmarti7 Wrote:
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> Latest from BNSF Customer Service Advisories is to
> reopen at 8 pm CST tonight.

The latest is aiming for 1800 PST on Thursday the 16th.

Go grab Stampede pics !!

WsDOT:
EB US 2, Stevens Pass is closed from mp 46 at Money Creek to mp 64 at the summit. US 2 is then open from the summit to Leavenworth and beyond. WB US 2 is open from Leavenworth to mp 64 at the summit of Stevens Pass. It is closed from there to Money Creek. No access to the west side of the mountains available. The current travel restriction in both directions of the open portion of Stevens Pass is Chains Required on All Vehicles Except All-Wheel-Drive - Oversize Vehicles Prohibited.

https://www.wsdot.com/traffic/passes/stevens/default.aspx

Also reading that Vancouver BC has been hit pretty hard as well.

And that's why you keep your secondary routes in good order.  When you really need them, they're ready.

Skykomish could tap that SD9 they want to scrap......

coach Wrote:
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> And that's why you keep your secondary routes in
> good order.  When you really need them, they're
> ready.

They have a secondary route that is in very good condition already.
The Columbia River Gorge.

SD45X Wrote:
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> Skykomish could tap that SD9 they want to
> scrap......

Tap it for what?  Does it even run?

>>  They have a secondary route that is in very good condition already.
The Columbia River Gorge.

Yes, "The North Bank Road" - a slogan which means something.

HotWater Wrote:
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> Tap it for what?  Does it even run?

It doesn’t.

BNSF Scenic Sub is now open all the way through. Empty coal train is passing through Baring, EB. Still much ROW work to do, though.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/20 13:40 by MP555.

I'm wondering about the CTC signal and crossing signals. Power has been out for days, so things are probably moving rather slowly. But I would guess they have portable generators in place to keep the batteries charged.

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR

Could not even think of using US2 in the winter.