Western Railroad Discussion > Rare Mileage Officer Special to Anacortes, WA

Today, BNSF ran an O-Train symboled SEAANW that ran from Stacy Yard in Downtown Seattle to end of track at the Marathon Petroleum Refinery at March Point in Anacortes, WA. I believe this is the first time a full officer train ran the entire "Annie" line under BNSF ownership. The train ran 1x1 with 15 cars and even BNSF 250 on one end. The exact purpose of the trip is unknown, but heavy speculation suggests Queen Katie and her minions were looking to swoon Swinomish tribal leaders and hopefully increase oil shipments from the refinery. 

In 2015, The Swinomish Tribe sued BNSF for unauthorized crude oil trains across their reservation. Additionally, a derailment along the line in 2023 resulted in 2,500 gallons of diesel spilling into the Swinomish wetlands, thus sparking an investigation into BNSF line agreements between carrier and tribe. In November of 2025, a federal court in Seattle sided with the tribe, handing down a 400 million dollar tresspass judgment against BNSF. The current agreement allows for one daily unit train of crude oil and small manifest trains across the Swinomish Reservation. I could be completely wrong, but I am guessing that this run has something to do with last year's agreement and terms, or an attempt to increase oil movements across the reservation. 

1. The special gets moving out of Stacy Street Yard around 0800 under incredibly smokey skies

2. BNSF 250 takes up the rear as they head past Champs for the Coach Wye to swing north

3. The special crosses over on the BNSF mainline through Seattle. 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/05/26 20:11 by NoGrainer.

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4. Crossing Ebey Slough and the Snohomish Delta northbound out of Everett

5. Swinging onto the branch line at Burlington, WA

6. 2 BNSF special agents tailed the train from here, all the way up to the refinery. A federal employee also followed the train with an impressive drone. 

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7. On the Annie Line near Whitney

8. Crossing the beautiful Swinomish River. The train stopped on the bridge for a few moments as the drone buzzed around - marketing material?

9. The train is just about a 1/4 mile from Fidalgo Station within the refinery. The crew will meet refinery folks at N. Texas road for instructions. 

The special arrived at the refinery at 1pm and they aren't scheduled to leave Anacortes until 9pm tonight. 

Thanks for speculating and following along!

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NoGrainer Wrote:
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> A derailment along the line in 2023 resulted in
> 2,500 gallons of diesel spilling into the
> Swinomish wetlands, thus sparking an investigation
> into BNSF line agreements between carrier and
> tribe. 

The Swinomish tribe sued BNSF all the way back in 2015 over the unit oil trains.

Excellent!  Anacortes is home territory to me, wish I'd been there to catch it.  They did run the track geometry train out there right after the derailment in 2023 (https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,5657749), but to my knowledge, that's the first time the Officer's Special has visited.

mike woodruff
north platte ne

Fantastic shots!! So sad the smoke is here for the next while, but it looks like you had a productive trip anyways.

-Kacey

Impressive photos and report, thanks!

Posted from Android

That is one serious swing bridge!  How often does it open?  What kind of maritime traffic passes thru?

BNSF 250 on a OCS special. Oh so nice !  Thanks for sharing . 

BNSDF has their own drone fleet too

coach Wrote:
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> That is one serious swing bridge!  How often does
> it open?  What kind of maritime traffic passes
> thru?

I believe BNSF services the March Point refinery every day, so that would mean the bridge opens for rail movements at least 2x daily. The bridge is over the Swinomish Channel where it meets Padilla Bay and greater Puget Sound. Maritime traffic through the bridge is primarily pleasure craft and smaller working boats. 

C'mon guys, drones would be for BNSF security.
Many cases of  ' Eco-Terrorism ' in that general area.

+ changed to Eco-Terrorism.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/06/26 10:16 by TCnR.

Great shots. Not seen this part of the RR. For my info what does END T.W.C. mean. thanks

track warrant control i think

Unfortunately Wrote:
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> BNSDF has their own drone fleet too

Posted from Android

dan Wrote:
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> track warrant control i think


Correct

Posted from Android

Great catch and coverage of this rare move!

u34ch Wrote:
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> Great shots. Not seen this part of the RR. For my
> info what does END T.W.C. mean. thanks

The signs mark the boundary of two different methods of operation: Track Warrant Control and Centralized Traffic Control.  At this signal, the TWC used on the Sumas Branch ends and the CTC used on the Bellingham Subdivision begins.

Like #3 and #7!

Spectacular thread. That must have been a lot of fun. Impressed by all the great locations you shot from all of them winners. Enjoying the Seattle coverage!