Post by FNS on May 16, 2008 23:41:52 GMT -8
Greetings, folks!
While I was on an intermission from the tracking of the MV COASTAL CELEBRATION's trip to Las Palmas, I took advantage of the time and took a trip to the mountains today (05-16-2008).
Here I am traveling east on US2, the Stevens Pass Highway. That "laid back" mountain above the black car is Mount Baring.
Continuing up the highway, Mount Baring is in view.
Hold your breath, folks! Incredible Mount Index is now in view.
Close up of this magnificent mountain.
Here I am in the town of Index. Photo of the railway crossing and the mountain. This is part of a double horseshoe curve trackage trains use in this part of this routing across this state of Washington.
The raging waters of this branch of the Skykomish River is evident of the heavy snow pack we had on our mountains this winter.
The BNSF railway bridge at Index. Mount Index is at the left, Mount Persis is at the right.
Mount Persis and the raging water.
Here I am at Scenic. This is the wast portal of the magnificent Cascade Tunnel. This is a 7.79 mile masterpiece completed by the Great Northern Railway in 1929. GN had cities built at each end of this tunnel with a hospital, entertainment facilities, dorms, dining facilities, and direct access to the tunnel project.
A BNSF train awaits the signal indication to enter the Cascade Tunnel.
Signal indication given. Train proceeds. It's about a fifteen minute transit. The door at the east end is closed and a blower is on to press forced air against the locomotive to keep the fumes away from her crew. When trains reach about 2000 feet from the end, the door is opened and the train exits at the east end. And, oh yes! What's a train picture on this forum without a CN presence? Leased additional power for this train! Oh Canada!!
IN THE HOLE!
The train has entered. The cone shaped mountain to the left is Cowboy Mountain. Immediately to the right is Big Chief Mountain. The horizontal scar on Cowboy Mountain is part of the Stevens Pass Highway. I've been through the Cascade Tunnel fourteen times aboard Amtrak. I stand at the aft end of the train and enjoy seeing the tunnel vision.
Raging waters at Deception Falls.
Here I am in Skykomish. This view looks east. Prior to the blowers being installed in the late 1950s, this was a very busy site. Trains stopped here and the piston powered locos were replaced by electrics. The electrics pulled the trains through the then unventilated Cascade Tunnel to Wenatchee. At Wenatchee, the electrics were uncoupled and pistons took over for the rest of the train's journey east. The whole scene did the reverse for westbound trains. No pistons were ever allowed to transit the tunnel on their own as they would have to be shut down and be pulled by electrics - until after the late 1950s installation of the big blowers. After the blowers were installed, the overhead lines came down and the electrics were withdrawn. Pistons are free to transit the tunnel, provided they have all the permits and authorizations to do so and the given signal indications.
A famous building at Skykomish.
Looking west.
Here I am looking at Mount Index once again.
This is part of Stevens Pass Highway's accident problem. Stunning sights like this and a high speed limit. WSDOT needs to place a reduced speed limit through this area and a few more turn outs for those to see this magnificent sight.
Out of the mountains and at an eatery in Sultan. Apologies for this blurry picture.
This was a great trip. Many thanks to my mom who did the driving. Hope you enjoy these pictures!
While I was on an intermission from the tracking of the MV COASTAL CELEBRATION's trip to Las Palmas, I took advantage of the time and took a trip to the mountains today (05-16-2008).
Here I am traveling east on US2, the Stevens Pass Highway. That "laid back" mountain above the black car is Mount Baring.
Continuing up the highway, Mount Baring is in view.
Hold your breath, folks! Incredible Mount Index is now in view.
Close up of this magnificent mountain.
Here I am in the town of Index. Photo of the railway crossing and the mountain. This is part of a double horseshoe curve trackage trains use in this part of this routing across this state of Washington.
The raging waters of this branch of the Skykomish River is evident of the heavy snow pack we had on our mountains this winter.
The BNSF railway bridge at Index. Mount Index is at the left, Mount Persis is at the right.
Mount Persis and the raging water.
Here I am at Scenic. This is the wast portal of the magnificent Cascade Tunnel. This is a 7.79 mile masterpiece completed by the Great Northern Railway in 1929. GN had cities built at each end of this tunnel with a hospital, entertainment facilities, dorms, dining facilities, and direct access to the tunnel project.
A BNSF train awaits the signal indication to enter the Cascade Tunnel.
Signal indication given. Train proceeds. It's about a fifteen minute transit. The door at the east end is closed and a blower is on to press forced air against the locomotive to keep the fumes away from her crew. When trains reach about 2000 feet from the end, the door is opened and the train exits at the east end. And, oh yes! What's a train picture on this forum without a CN presence? Leased additional power for this train! Oh Canada!!
IN THE HOLE!
The train has entered. The cone shaped mountain to the left is Cowboy Mountain. Immediately to the right is Big Chief Mountain. The horizontal scar on Cowboy Mountain is part of the Stevens Pass Highway. I've been through the Cascade Tunnel fourteen times aboard Amtrak. I stand at the aft end of the train and enjoy seeing the tunnel vision.
Raging waters at Deception Falls.
Here I am in Skykomish. This view looks east. Prior to the blowers being installed in the late 1950s, this was a very busy site. Trains stopped here and the piston powered locos were replaced by electrics. The electrics pulled the trains through the then unventilated Cascade Tunnel to Wenatchee. At Wenatchee, the electrics were uncoupled and pistons took over for the rest of the train's journey east. The whole scene did the reverse for westbound trains. No pistons were ever allowed to transit the tunnel on their own as they would have to be shut down and be pulled by electrics - until after the late 1950s installation of the big blowers. After the blowers were installed, the overhead lines came down and the electrics were withdrawn. Pistons are free to transit the tunnel, provided they have all the permits and authorizations to do so and the given signal indications.
A famous building at Skykomish.
Looking west.
Here I am looking at Mount Index once again.
This is part of Stevens Pass Highway's accident problem. Stunning sights like this and a high speed limit. WSDOT needs to place a reduced speed limit through this area and a few more turn outs for those to see this magnificent sight.
Out of the mountains and at an eatery in Sultan. Apologies for this blurry picture.
This was a great trip. Many thanks to my mom who did the driving. Hope you enjoy these pictures!
The photo of the Skykomish river looks just like Morants curve on the Bow River.