Re: Milwaukee S Curve Trestle - Just about history
Author: Ken Shattock (KRK)
Date: 02-17-2017 - 11:59
BOB2 Wrote:
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> When I was station at Ft. Lewis, way back when
> dinosaurs still walked the earth, I seem to
> remember the Milwaukee mainline was still
> electrified, was this segment electrified, as
> well....?
Hi Bob--
When, for example, the old Olympian Hiawatha arrived in Puget Sound from Montana or such, the electric locomotives ran into Seattle's UNION STATION in the "forward direction" and then unloaded its passengers. After which, the train "backed" all the way to Tacoma to the Milwaukee passenger station, which was originally just SOUTH of the existing Freighthouse Square building. It would discharge any remaining passengers and REVERSE direction once again. The actual passenger station was just North of the cross street of PACIFIC AVENUE.
Unless going to the Yards on the Tacoma tideflats, the train would prepare to head over the Cascades via Maple Valley. All of this took place under a 3000-volt DC catenary, which in some cases could be as high as 3400-volts DC.
Cheers, Sir..
Ken Shattock (KRK)