Cascade Tunnel Question
Author: Tom Rawson
Date: 12-21-2009 - 17:13
I rode the Snow Train Seattle-Leavenworth on BNSF Scenic Division this past weekend. On the way back we waited east of the Cascade Tunnel (7.8 mile tunnel under Stevens Pass, east of the town of Skykomish) for the tunnel to air out since a freight train had passed through ahead of us. I have heard over the years many references to the poor ventilation in that tunnel. Question: Is it more poorly ventilated than other long RR tunnels in North America? How does it compare to Moffat Tunnel (about 6 miles long) and the two tunnels on the CP (one I think is 15 miles long, the other about 5)? If the Cascade Tunnel is more poorly ventilated than these other tunnels, why is it? Anybody know the answers to these questions? Many thanks! --Tom