 |
Re: Rehash: Progress on Crowning Stampede Pass Tunnel
Author: johnwvan
Date: 10-26-2007 - 16:39
According to a BNSF Track Chart revised 5/9/2000, Cle Elum to Easton is mostly less than .5, usually much less. There is a short pitch near Bullfrog at MP 30 of .81 and another near there of .88.
From Easton to Stampede Tunnel it is pretty close to the advertised 2.2, with the steepest being 2.25 about MP 42.5 and 2.26 about MP 43.2. No 2.7. No 2.7 on the west side, either, between Stampede and Lester.
For what it's worth, Easton to Pasco is totally a water grade, along the Yakima River. There could be some bumps east of Yakima, but they couldn't amount to much.
By contrast, the MILW crosses the Saddle Mountains between Ellensburg and the Columbia River, which has been described as far worse than Snoqualmie Pass. Take you pick: longer and very slight grades, or shorter and another mountain crossing.
From Easton to Stampede Tunnel it is pretty close to the advertised 2.2, with the steepest being 2.25 about MP 42.5 and 2.26 about MP 43.2. No 2.7. No 2.7 on the west side, either, between Stampede and Lester.
For what it's worth, Easton to Pasco is totally a water grade, along the Yakima River. There could be some bumps east of Yakima, but they couldn't amount to much.
By contrast, the MILW crosses the Saddle Mountains between Ellensburg and the Columbia River, which has been described as far worse than Snoqualmie Pass. Take you pick: longer and very slight grades, or shorter and another mountain crossing.
