Snohomish 101
Author: Dick Seelye
Date: 11-10-2007 - 16:47
Suggest first, visiting the grade crossing at the Southeast corner of Harvey Field. Note the tangent heading North towards Snohomish, Canada and way-points. Level and to the right is the line connecting with the BNSF, East. Level and to the left is the line connecting with the BNSF, West. Once-upon-a-time, NP used this line, plus trackage rights on GN, to reach their Everett freighthouse and yard.
Following the road between Harvey Field and the BNSF main is questionable. Especially if a 737 fuselage is down near State Route 9.
While the Cedar River bridge is being rebuilt just north of the Renton street-running, Boeing-Renton and Woodinville cars are coming in via Snohomish. The double power may be parked at the first mentioned grade crossing.
Report on Cedar River bridge, please.
Next, head North and across the Snohomish River into town. Turn right and drive thru the business district and up to the former NP crossing and station site. Park and walk South towards the NP bridge. Poor viewpoint. Please find something better. The drawspan is in the "closed" position; closed to steamboats and open to rail traffic. Note off to the East that the GN bridge is not a drawspan. Maybe the NP line was built when there was steamboat traffic, and the GN line was built after steamboat traffic retreated at least to downtown Snohomish. Also note that the NP drawspan has the track on it's top, not at the lower level as is normal.