Riding Amtrak's Westbound Empire Builder in December 2002

I took these pictures on December 21, 2002, while riding Amtrak’s westbound Empire Builder. This historic depot was built in 1912 and once served the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railroad, or Soo Line, which is now part of the Canadian Pacific Railway. This depot is no longer owned by the railroad. It is located in Minot's historic downtown district and houses the Old Soo Depot Transportation Museum.

This depot is the one currently served by Amtrak. It is located just west of the old Soo Line depot, on the opposite side of the U.S. Highway 83 overpass. This depot was originally built in 1910 by the Great Northern Railway. A major renovation in 1975 replaced the original gabled roof with a flat roof, covered the original brick with stucco and remodeled the interior. Here Amtrak's Empire Builder can be seen making its station stop. Just to the north of the depot, on the other side of the tracks and past some trees, is the Souris River.

Just to the west of the Amtrak station, and visible from its platform, is crossing of the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad and the Canadian Pacific Railway. In this 2002 photo, Amtrak's Empire Builder is stopped on the BNSF track and the freight train crossing in front of it is on the CP track. This crossing is the busiest rail crossing in the state of North Dakota. The building visible behind the Canadian Pacific freight train is the Minot Public Library.

During the Empire Builder’s service stop in Minot, North Dakota, I braved the winter snow to check out the motive power consist and discovered Amtrak #383, a 3,000-horsepower F40PHR that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in July 1981 using parts from retired Amtrak SDP40F #518. It is painted to match the Pacific Surfliner equipment used in southern California between San Luis Obispo and San Diego.

Pictured in Havre, Montana, Burlington Northern Santa Fe #3441 is a 1,500-horsepower SW1500 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in January 1973 as St. Louis-San Francisco (also known as the Frisco) #356. The Frisco was merged into the Burlington Northern on November 21, 1980, and this locomotive became Burlington Northern #61. Burlington Northern classified EMD’s SW1500s as SW15s. Following the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on September 22, 1995, this locomotive became Burlington Northern Santa Fe #3441 on February 19, 1998, and was repainted in Burlington Northern Santa Fe's "Heritage I" paint scheme on April 28, 2000.

Also in Havre near the shops, Burlington Northern Santa Fe #8615 is a 4,000-horsepower Dash 8-40B that was built by General Electric in June 1988 as Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe #7425. Following the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on September 22, 1995, this locomotive became Burlington Northern Santa Fe #8615 on January 12, 2000, and was repainted in Burlington Northern Santa Fe’s “Heritage I” paint scheme on December 16, 2000.

I took this picture the next day on December 22, 2002, while riding the Portland section of Amtrak’s westbound Empire Builder through Wishram, Washington. Unless running extremely late, the Empire Builder generally made an extended station stop in Wishram to allow cigarette smokers an opportunity to satisfy their addiction, as the smoking car was part of the train’s Seattle section. I merely turned my attention and my camera to the railroad equipment outside the window. Burlington Northern #2871 is a GP39M that was originally built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in February 1964 as Southern Pacific #7452, a 2,500-horsepower GP35. After 1965 it was renumbered to Southern Pacific #6564. It was retired in January 1991 and was sold to Morrison-Knudsen of Boise, Idaho, who rebuilt it into 2,300-horsepower GP39M Burlington Northern #2871 in July 1991. With it is Burlington Northern Santa Fe #2083, a 2,000-horsepower GP38-2 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in May 1972 as Burlington Northern #2083. Following the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on September 22, 1995, this locomotive became Burlington Northern Santa Fe #2083 and was repainted in Burlington Northern Santa Fe's "Heritage I" paint scheme on October 2, 2000.

Havre, Montana, in February 2000

I took these pictures in Havre, Montana, in February of 2000 during a trip to Chicago and back on Amtrak's Empire Builder. On the eastbound trip on February 9, 2000, I photographed Great Northern steam locomotive #2584, an S-2 Class 4-8-4 that was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1930 and put on static display next to the depot on May 15, 1964.

Near locomotive #2584 is Hands Across the Border Park. This small park consists primarily of a statue of an American Border Patrol officer shaking hands with a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer. Havre is only 40 miles from the Canadian border, and the Border Patrol meets Amtrak's Empire Builder in Havre, to catch illegal aliens attempting to board the train.

In front of the Havre depot on the street side is a fountain with a statue of James J. Hill. Hill formed the Great Northern Railway in 1889 from the bankrupt St. Paul & Pacific Railroad, and extended it to Seattle by 1893. The commercial possibilities realized in the northern United States due to Hill's Great Northern Railway earned him the nickname of "The Empire Builder."

On the westbound trip on February 13, 2000, I photographed Burlington Northern Santa Fe SW1500 #3442 in the Havre yard from Amtrak's Empire Builder. This 1,500-horsepower locomotive was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in January 1973 as St. Louis-San Francisco (SLSF, also known as the Frisco) #357. The Frisco was merged into Burlington Northern on November 21, 1980, and this locomotive became Burlington Northern #62. Burlington Northern classified EMD's SW1500s as SW15s. Following the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on September 22, 1995, this locomotive became Burlington Northern Santa Fe #3442 in February 1998, though it was still painted in Burlington Northern colors.

The depot in Havre, at 235 Main Street, is not only an Amtrak station; it is also a local base of operation for Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight operations and maintenance crews. As a result, it is a large depot for a city of Havre's size. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe was formed on September 22, 1995, when the Burlington Northern Railroad (successor to the Great Northern) and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad merged together. Almost 5 years later, the station still showed signs of its Burlington Northern heritage, leaving it with an apparent identity crisis.

Kelso Intermodal Facility Dedication

Rail service first came to Kelso, Washington, in 1872, when the Northern Pacific Railway built north from a river connection at Kalama, Washington toward Seattle. This brick depot opened on February 12, 1912, replacing an earlier wood-frame depot built in the 1800s. On March 2, 1970, the Northern Pacific Railway was merged into the Burlington Northern Railroad, and Amtrak took over passenger service on May 1, 1971. By the early 1990s, the depot was locked up. Amtrak trains still stopped at the station, but there were no personnel at the station and passengers had to wait outside. Tickets had to be purchased in advance, either from a travel agent, or from another station with Amtrak personnel.

In September 1994, after years of neglect, a major renovation and restoration of the depot was started to turn the depot into a multimodal transportation hub for Cowlitz County. The renovation included the addition of a clock tower and putting a full basement under the depot, which had never had one before, to be used for retail space. The renovation was completed and the depot was dedicated at 2:30 PM on September 23, 1995 at the Grand Opening of the Kelso Intermodal Facility and the "Keeping Kids on Track" festival. 

A few classic cars had been gathered for the event.

1950 Ford Fordor Sedan Police Car

1949 Chevrolet Styleline DeLuxe 2-Door Sedan

1955 Chevrolet Two-Ten 2-Door Sedan

The grand opening also featured an appearance by Burlington Northern’s executive train, though a couple of other trains passed by first.

Burlington Northern GP39E #2914 was originally built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in May 1964 as Chicago, Burlington & Quincy GP35 #986. It was originally powered by a 2,500-horsepower turbocharged 16-cylinder 567 engine. After the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy was merged into Burlington Northern on March 2, 1970, it became Burlington Northern #2532. In March 1990, it was rebuilt by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors as 2,300-horsepower GP39E Burlington Northern #2914.

Burlington Northern #2914 led a local southbound freight train with Burlington Northern extended-vision caboose #12510 bringing up the rear. This caboose was originally Burlington Northern #12088. It was built by Pacific Car & Foundry in September 1975. It was rebuilt by Burlington Northern subsidiary Western Fruit Express at Yardley Yard in Spokane, Washington, on July 3, 1990. 

Amtrak F40PHR #319 was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in August 1979. It was built using parts from retired Amtrak SDP40F #583. I think the train it is pulling is the northbound Pioneer, which ran between Chicago and Seattle via Denver and Portland. The Pioneer was inaugurated on June 7, 1977, and would continue until May 10, 1997, when it was discontinued.

The Burlington Northern executive train arrived from the south with the following consist:

• F9-2 Locomotive BN-1
• F9-2 Locomotive BN-2
• Power Car #30 Snoqualmie Pass
• Sleeping Car #22 Stevens Pass
• Bi-Level Car #33 Skagit River
• Bi-Level Car #31 Fox River
• Bi-Level Car #32 Flathead River
• Lounge Car #10 Como
• Full Dome Observation Car #24 Glacier View

Each of these will be covered in more detail in its own post.

Puget Sound Railway Historical Association in 1994

In 1994, we stopped by the Puget Sound Railway Historical Association (now the Northwest Railway Museum) in Snoqualmie, Washington. I photographed the equipment by the depot, even though most of it was in the shade.

Spokane, Portland & Seattle combine #272 was built by Barney & Smith in 1915 as a coach. It was converted to a combine in 1955. The Spokane, Portland & Seattle was merged into Burlington Northern in March 1970. The museum purchased the car from Burlington Northern in 1977.

45-Tonner #7320 was built by General Electric in 1941. It was originally used in the construction of the Elwood Ordinance Plant in Wilmington, Illinois by contractors Sanderson & Porter. It was later transferred to the U.S. Army Transportation Corps and became #7320. It was transferred to the U.S. Navy around 1956 for use at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. After it was retired, the museum leased it from Washington State Parks in 1976.

U.S. Army Ambulance Kitchen Car #89601 was built by St. Louis Car Co. in 1953. It was originally built to provide meal service for ambulance trains carrying injured troops, but soon after it was built, aircraft became the Army’s primary means of transporting troops. It was stored at Fort Lewis for over 20 years without ever being placed in service. After retirement, it was sold to the Kennecott Copper Company to be converted to a tool car at a Utah mine, however the mine was shut down before the car was converted. It was donated by Kennecott Copper Company in 1987.

Great Northern baggage car #485 was built by Pullman in 1921 as a 12 Section - 1 Drawing Room sleeping car named Epicurus. It became Tourist Sleeper #1056 in 1941. It was retired in 1948 and sold to Great Northern and rebuilt as baggage car #485. The Great Northern was merged into Burlington Northern in March 1970. After Amtrak took over passenger service in 1971, Burlington Northern assigned the car to maintenance of way service as #950190. It was purchased from Burlington Northern in 1986.

This Kershaw Ballast Regulator was built in 1963 for Great Northern.

This former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy caboose is in the yard of a home in Snoqualmie near the depot, but is not part of the museum.

Spokane, Portland & Seattle coach #276 was built by Barney & Smith in 1915. The Spokane, Portland & Seattle was merged into Burlington Northern in March 1970. It was purchased from Burlington Northern in 1972.

Spokane, Portland & Seattle coach #213 was built by Barney & Smith in 1912. The wooden car was retired by 1950. The museum purchased it from a private owner in 1977.

Kennecott Copper Company #201 is an RSD-4 built by the American Locomotive Company (Alco) in 1951. A total of 36 RSD-4s were built from 1951 to 1952, compared to 204 RSD-5s built from 1952 to 1956, which were identical except for the main generator. This was the only RSD-4 purchased by Kennecott Copper and is the only remaining RSD-4 in existence. It was donated to the museum in 1983.

The Snoqualmie Depot was built in 1890 by the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railway. In 1896, the railroad was reorganized as the Seattle International Railway, and it was taken over by the Northern Pacific Railway in 1901. The Northern Pacific was merged into the Burlington Northern in March, 1970, and by the mid-1970s, freight trains to Snoqualmie were being routed over the Milwaukee Road line. The Burlington Northern abandoned the line in 1975, donating the Snoqualmie depot and several miles of track to the Puget Sound Railway Historical Association. In 1981, the depot was restored to its 1890s appearance.

TriMet’s Westside Express Service (WES): Beaverton Transit Center

I originally posted this on my old website on March 26, 2009.

Beaverton Transit Center on January 30, 2009

The Beaverton Transit Center at 4050 SW Lombard Avenue at the north end of the WES line connects to the MAX light rail Blue and Red Lines and numerous TriMet bus lines and features 38 bike lockers and 48 bike rack spaces, but no Park & Ride lot.

WES Train at the Beaverton Transit Center on January 30, 2009

The WES line separates from the freight rail line south of the platform, so no freight trains pass the Beaverton platform and no gauntlet track is needed.

Continue to Grand Opening…

TriMet’s Westside Express Service (WES): Hall/Nimbus Station

I originally posted this on my old website on March 26, 2009.

I don't have any pictures of the Hall/Nimbus Station at 8505 SW Cascade Avenue, behind Cascade Plaza in Beaverton, adjacent to SW Hall Boulevard near its intersection with SW Nimbus Avenue, as is is the smallest and has the least visual interest of the five stations. It is a raised platform like the others on the east side of the track with two bus-stop-style shelters and the "interactivator" on it. The station uses a gauntlet track like at the Tualatin station to allow for the passage of freight trains. The station connects to three TriMet bus lines and features 10 bike lockers and 16 bike rack spaces and a 50-space Park & Ride lot that is more of an alley behind Cascade Plaza with diagonal parking. Full-length TriMet buses cannot directly access the WES station as they cannot negotiate the tight exit from the parking lot. (I was on one that tried on January 30th.)

Continue to Beaverton Transit Center…

TriMet’s Westside Express Service (WES): Tigard Transit Center

I originally posted this on my old website on March 26, 2009.

Tigard Transit Center on January 30, 2009

The Tigard Transit Center at 8960 SW Commercial Street features a 100-space Park & Ride lot, 4 bike lockers and 14 bike rack spaces and connects to five TriMet bus lines.

WES Platform at the Tigard Transit Center on January 30, 2009

The Tigard platform is roughly the midpoint of the line and is where WES trains are scheduled to pass, and thus the platform is between two tracks.

WES Train at the Tigard Transit Center on January 30, 2009

The track on the east side of the platform is a gauntlet track like at Tualatin to allow for the passage of freight trains.

WES Trains at the Tigard Transit Center on January 30, 2009

The track on the west side of the platform is a regular track for WES trains only.

WES Trains at the Tigard Transit Center on January 30, 2009

Northbound WES trains use the east side of the platform while southbound WES trains use the west side of the platform.

Continue to Hall/Nimbus Station…

TriMet’s Westside Express Service (WES): Tualatin Station

I originally posted this on my old website on March 26, 2009.

WES Station Sign in Tualatin, Oregon on January 15, 2009

The Tualatin Station is located at 18955 SW Boones Ferry Road.

WES Station in Tualatin, Oregon on January 15, 2009

It has the most sizable and visually-imposing platform on the WES line.

WES Station in Tualatin, Oregon on January 15, 2009

Nearly the entire platform is covered by a peaked roof.

WES Station Clock in Tualatin, Oregon on January 15, 2009

WES Station Clock in Tualatin, Oregon on January 15, 2009

The roof is topped by a 4-sided clock tower with clocks by Electric Time.

WES Station in Tualatin, Oregon on January 15, 2009

WES Station in Tualatin, Oregon on January 15, 2009

The Tualatin Station features a 154-space Park & Ride lot, 6 bike lockers and 24 covered bike rack spaces.

WES Station Sign in Tualatin, Oregon on January 15, 2009

WES Station Sign in Tualatin, Oregon on January 15, 2009

The station connects with TriMet's #76 bus line.

Gauntlet Track in Tualatin, Oregon on January 15, 2009

The WES trains and the freight trains have to share the same track here.

Gauntlet Track in Tualatin, Oregon on January 15, 2009

Because of this, a gauntlet track is used. 

Gauntlet Track in Tualatin, Oregon on January 15, 2009

This lets the WES trains get closer to the platform while still giving freight trains the clearance they need.

Trestle Crossing in Tualatin, Oregon on January 15, 2009

Just north of the Tualatin Station the WES line passes Tualatin Community Park and passes underneath another rail line. The rail line that crosses over the WES line was originally built in 1886 as the narrow-gauge Portland & Willamette Valley Railway Company between downtown Portland and Dundee, through Lake Oswego and Newberg. Within a few years it was taken over by the Southern Pacific Railroad and standard-gauged, and between 1914 and 1929 the line was used by Southern Pacific's "Red Electric" interurbans, a competitor of the Oregon Electric Railway that originally operated the line WES now runs on, carrying passengers between Portland and Corvallis.

Trestle Crossing in Tualatin, Oregon on January 15, 2009

These lines remained competitors into the 1990s, with the Oregon Electric having become part of Burlington Northern Santa Fe while the Southern Pacific became part of Union Pacific. Today, both are operated by the Portland & Western Railroad.

Tualatin River Bridge in Tualatin, Oregon on January 15, 2009

At the north end of Tualatin Community Park, the WES line crosses the Tualatin River on this truss bridge. This truss span may date from the original construction of this line as the Oregon Electric Railway in 1906. The long north approach of this bridge was rebuilt to accommodate WES trains, but the main span and short south approach remain.

The following video shows a WES train crossing this bridge during a demonstration trip on January 21, 2009.

WES Train at Tualatin River Bridge on January 21, 2009.

Continue to Tigard Transit Center…