Passenger Trains > Dash 8, And Dash Back

The Empire Builder out of Seattle had a unique leader last Thursday — Dash 8 number 506 — but it never made it out of Washington. Instead, it made a quick dash back from Spokane on number 7.

Number 506's rare appearance on the Builder was attributed to track work at the Coach Wye in Seattle, which prevented the train from being turned as usual. And the only available locomotive that was pointed the right direction for number 8's departure was 506, which led the backward-facing consist as far as Spokane.

In the first shot, 506 leads as the eastbound Builder rolls along the Seattle waterfront.

In the second shot, 506 trails as number 7 hugs the shore of Puget Sound.

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I know the second sleeper comes off the Empire Builder for the Seattle section, but I didn't think they pulled it until after the New Year! One small trainset these days! It also typically had at least another coach when reduced to just one sleeper.