No passenger trains north of Seattle until Friday
SEATTLE (AP) - No passenger trains will run north of Seattle until Friday because of the danger of more mudslides hitting the tracks south of Everett.
Amtrak says buses will serve its passengers between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia.
Sound Transit says its Sounder train will run a special day-after-Thanksgiving schedule on Friday - assuming there are no more mudslides - and resume the normal commuter schedule on Monday.
The Burlington Northern Santa Fe tracks were hit by 15 mudslides in heavy rain Monday and early Tuesday. The largest slide of mud, rocks and trees at Everett was 15 feet deep.
Spokesman Gus Melonas says crews cleared the tracks to keep freight trains operating. Passenger trains observe a 48-safety moratorium after a mudslide.
Amtrak says buses will serve its passengers between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia.
Sound Transit says its Sounder train will run a special day-after-Thanksgiving schedule on Friday - assuming there are no more mudslides - and resume the normal commuter schedule on Monday.
The Burlington Northern Santa Fe tracks were hit by 15 mudslides in heavy rain Monday and early Tuesday. The largest slide of mud, rocks and trees at Everett was 15 feet deep.
Spokesman Gus Melonas says crews cleared the tracks to keep freight trains operating. Passenger trains observe a 48-safety moratorium after a mudslide.
This 48 hour moratorium nonsense has to stop and it has to stop NOW! BNSF ONLY uses this policy in Western Washington. Their only aim is to discourage the electorate from using the Sounder commuter rail (as unreliable) and is purely politically motivated. They want the taxpayers to foot the bill to stabalize their hillsides. We've already paid millions to upgrade track & signals. We have a greater potential for damage and loss of life if a freight train carrying hazmat is hit & derails that if any passenger train is hit by mud.
Â
Slow orders through the slide area can be implemented and trains can proceed with caution. Heck, AMTRAK even takes their long distance trains through the slide area after unloading passengers in Everett... but the luggage and entire onboard crew rides through to Seattle. Think about it... if they do that, why cant a paying passenger ride?
Â
Call, write, E-mail or otherwise contact your state, county & local leaders and demand that they demand BNSF put an end to this ridiculous policy.
 @EMDF9A The reason is obvious: LIABILITY. What I don't understand is why BNSF doesn't finally invest the money to stabilize the slide zones once and for all.
@Glassman @EMDF9A Liability might be a small part of it, but it is not the real reason. BNSF does not, I repeat, does not, embargo passenger trains after slides in the Rocky Mouintains, the Sierra Nevada or along the Mississippi River. It is ONLY in the Northwest.