Seattle - Everett Sounder Construction Update

[markgillings]

Big day tomorrow (Saturday, 10/24) with the new Main 2 cutover at 23rd Avenue. There will be a 14-hour mainline window starting at 0600. All four Amtrak Cascades trains will be anulled. #7 will use the Office Lead and B Baker to get through. If the track is ready, #8 will be talked past the reds and use the new track. Work will be removing the old mainline switch that went to the roundhouse as well as the Main-to-A Apple switch. The new Main 2 will blend over to the main track in this area.

At this point with the new Main 2 in service, the old single Main track will be out of service as well as A Apple. This will be for three weeks while we work on what will become Main 1 at 23rd Ave. For that time, the new Main 2 will be referred to as the Main Track between Magnolia and MP 5.4.

[Kevin M]

I heard the Z get talked through there last night, they were the first train on the new rail and were at 10MPH. The crew and MOW were joking about breaking champagian (spelling) bottels on the engine.
KEvin

[ES44AC]

Actually, the first train was the eastbound Amtrak (Builder)

[markgillings]

My picture-taking has been reduced of late due to my camera only wanting to produce an image at the tightest zoom. Here are four from Saturday.

1) The two 966s pull out the last part of the old turnout that went to the roundhouse.

2) No more main track! The grade is ready to be dug. We had a worktrain nearby with four empty airdumps for the material. The new track on the right will simply be shifted over into place.

3) The A Apple switch on its way out. This was a big panel! These two 950s were working hard.

4) After the new track was lined over, the number 1 and 2 ties that the machine is mounted on needed to be adjusted. They had shifted relative to their proper position under the points. In the background, a Roberts Bank coal train runs via B Baker to get around the site. Right next to this turnout will be the #20 RH that will go from Main 1 to Apple.

I'll try to get a shot from the OOS main of a westbound train rolling through!

[BNSFEng]

Originally Posted by markgillings

My picture-taking has been reduced of late due to my camera only wanting to produce an image at the tightest zoom. Here are four from Saturday.
I'll try to get a shot from the OOS main of a westbound train rolling through!

Thank you for the pics. I look forward to running over the new track tomorrow morning.

[Ballard Beaver]

yeah, thanks for the pix. i like #2, with that light you can just feel it's morning.

look ma, no mains!

[Amtk 1007]

Thanks for the Pictures Mark... I see that A 7, even having to go through the yard, didn't suffer that much of a delay.

[markgillings]

Originally Posted by ES44AC

Actually, the first train was the eastbound Amtrak (Builder)

Learned today that #8 had all greens due to the track being handed over to Signal a half hour early. They only lost 10 minutes this way compared with 25 had they had to go through the yard. I don't know why they would've lost that much time, but that's what we were told!

[Macster]

Mark,

If you have any pictures looking from 23rd Ave, South/West I am doing one of my monthly updates for the blog. I guess everything will be done here in the next few weeks and then you all head North to Edmonds?

[markgillings]

Originally Posted by Macster

I guess everything will be done here in the next few weeks and then you all head North to Edmonds?

We'll be heading to abolishment! There is nothing lined up after 23rd Avenue. Last thing I heard about the remaining sections of single track was that MP 27-28 would be graded next year with no current plans for trackwork. Apparently, Edmonds gradework has until 2012. No word on anything for Sound Transit 2. If ST handed over some money, we could crank right up working between Lucile and Black River.

Our roadmaster is planning to keep a very minimal crew working as long as possible until projects come around. This way, all of the equipment (trucks, machiney, etc.) can just be parked rather than being turned back in or scattered across the system. One of the two welding crews has already been cut as has one of the surfacing crews. We loose a 950 loader this Friday, the 30th.

23rd Avenue will take us to about the end of November with the removal of MP 5.4. There might be some small rail relays in there, but that's it for now.