ex BN Wrote:
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> Has freight traffic decreased on the Steel Bridge
> since the UP-SP merger? It was the primary
> connection for BN-SP traffic in the past but I am
> wondering if UP-BNSF transfers are run Albina to
> Vancouver via North Portland Junction.
>
Freight traffic is fairly busy over the bridge, we (the UP)have two scheduled freights each day, a transfer run each way from Albina and various light power moves daily. Extra symbols pop up a few times a week. Also as mentioned, the PNWR has two moves a day across the bridge.

All UP-BNSF traffic in the Portland area is interchanged at the lake yard from Albina with the exception of the BNSF MEVEABN train that is a direct delivery from Everett to Albina (and the source of the BNSF light power moves mentioned in the previous post). The interchanges that took place at Vancouver and Barnes Yard no longer exist.

> On a related question, does UP interchange former
> SP traffic (to BNSF) in Seattle instead of
> Portland? Or is there a merger (UP-SP) condition
> that preserves the SP-BN gateway in Portland?

We still interchange what is likely former SP traffic at the lake yard in the form of the MRVPT which runs daily.