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Re: TRAINS article on Cascade Tunnel - Why not add capacity this way?
Author: George Andrews
Date: 12-22-2009 - 10:53
Mike, are you referring to double stacks over Snoqualmie as opposed to Stampede, where they don't fit ??? Well, after the Milwaukee left the North West, BN did buy the line over Snoqualmie Pass with the idea of using it for export coal trains. Of course, the economy tanked, as did the export coal market.
I don't agree with the idea of boring out the Pioneer tunnel for a second track. This tunnel is only 6 ft high; it would basically involve digging a whole new tunnel. As for boring machines, there are currently 2 of these ' high - tech ' boring machines broken down several hundred feet below Bothell, WA. While being used to bore tunnels leading to & from a new sewage treatment plant, they crapped out, (Ha Ha ); been there several months now as repairs are attempted. And this ground isn't even solid rock like the Cascades are.
I've wondered why BNSF doesn't install ventilation fans at the West Portal, and exhaust fans in the halfway audit hole @ the top of Stevens Pass on Hwy. 2. This would lessen the smoke problem and maybe even allow 2 trains in the tunnel at one time.
I don't agree with the idea of boring out the Pioneer tunnel for a second track. This tunnel is only 6 ft high; it would basically involve digging a whole new tunnel. As for boring machines, there are currently 2 of these ' high - tech ' boring machines broken down several hundred feet below Bothell, WA. While being used to bore tunnels leading to & from a new sewage treatment plant, they crapped out, (Ha Ha ); been there several months now as repairs are attempted. And this ground isn't even solid rock like the Cascades are.
I've wondered why BNSF doesn't install ventilation fans at the West Portal, and exhaust fans in the halfway audit hole @ the top of Stevens Pass on Hwy. 2. This would lessen the smoke problem and maybe even allow 2 trains in the tunnel at one time.
