Re: Next to Last Freight Train Across the Milwaukee S Curve Trestle
Author: George Andrews
Date: 03-01-2017 - 15:36
I foamed the line on Boxing Day 2016, with some ancillary construction still ongoing but the basic trackwork in place. The new line does have a fairly long section of double track, between 84th St. in South Tacoma and Prairie Line Jct. in North Lakewood. Maybe 3 miles worth. When I saw it, the signals for the siding North of the layover yard were still bagged. South Tacoma station does not have a CTC siding, however it does have a double - ended switching spur containing a North - facing switch for X-Cel feeds on 74th St. There is also a South - facing switch and run - around track on the West side of the station platform; the spur heads Northwest across 74th St. to Pioneer Roofing and several other industries. This spur was at one time the South lead into NP's South Tacoma Shops complex.
Some surveying was noticed for a future Sounder platform at the Dupont Park & Ride Bus lot. The new main jogs to the North for this future project. No new siding was in place here though; the ancient yard trackage ( with 75 LB. rail !!! ) for the Ft. Lewis spur was still in place.
A visit to Dupont yesterday found that all the grade crossings at the Interstate 5 off - ramps are being upgraded with new highway signals, gates, and the useless " quiet crossing horn " speaker boxes. Don't know why they are concerned with noise, considering the Interstate AND Air Force transports AND Army helicopters all buzzing around the area.