Replying to Washington State Mudslides

Well you COULD route the Builder via Pasco/Yakima/Stampede... but that wouldnt solve the Sounder issues

That is actually a great idea! I think that was the old NP line, used my the North Coast Limited. It would be great to get a chance to ride the rourte and solve EB cancellations. The Sounder and Vancouver Cascades will still have to bet cancelled, but at least the LD is saved!

The "bustitution" is really a minimal service disruption, at least based on my recent EB experience, both ways. 30 min bus ride to or from Seattle.

Well you COULD route the Builder via Pasco/Yakima/Stampede... but that wouldnt solve the Sounder issues

Put the blooming rail cars on a ferry and take them up to Everett.

Sheesh, do I have to solve everything?

Actually, the current route goes between some hills (mountains, maybe) and the Puget Sound between Everett and Seattle, which is where most of the mudslide problems are.

But still, the point is that there aren't any other rail lines that will take you north from Seattle.

The old NP up to Sumas, which was the only conceivable alternative, was torn up some years ago. Unless you wanted to go via Spokane and up the Spokane International (UP) and then back to Vancouver...Trogdor is right on.

Actually, the current route goes between some hills (mountains, maybe) and the Puget Sound between Everett and Seattle, which is where most of the mudslide problems are.

But still, the point is that there aren't any other rail lines that will take you north from Seattle.

What other line?

You said it. I have never seen or heard about any other convienient line around the mudslides. Last I cheack, the current route goes in between two mountain ranges, so there is nowhere for another route to go. The mountains also cause the mudslides, AFAIK.

Trogdor's point is well-taken, in that there aren't really any alternative lines between Everett and Seattle. We can only hope that the recently-announced work to reduce mudslide-prone areas will be helpful, and that WSDOT will be able to convince BNSF to modify its rule automatically prohibiting all passenger trains for 48 hours after a slide.

What other line?

The disruptions due to mudslides are, well - quite disruptive. Does it make any sense to permanently reroute the trains over another line?

JB