Mud Slide at Blue Ridge - 2-2-2010

From: CMP
To: Photo Distribution List
Subject: Mudslide at Blue Ridge, WA
Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:07:01 -0600

While in Seattle a few weeks ago I had an opportunity to check out the site of the most recent mudslides on the BNSF Scenic Subdivision – Blue Ridge/MP 9.6.  There are many locations on the Northwest Division where slide activity impacts train operations, however, so far this year that activity has been limited to Blue Ridge which is along Puget Sound between Seattle and Edmonds.

The area is really difficult to photograph.  Perhaps the best view is the aerial photograph KOMO news articles (links removed).  Because of the nature of the slide activity in the area, a slide that meets defined “blocking event” criteria triggers a moratorium on passenger train operations that usually lasts 48-hours. 

http://edmonds.komonews.com/content/north-sounder-service-back-business

Again, a difficult location to shoot.  Here are a few shots from the beach looking up at the BNSF work train which was supplying rip-rap (large rocks) to stabilize the hill side.  The large pile of trees and earth from the slide are clearly visible blocking the beach:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1933524

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1933521

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1933526

Because of the remote location, power on each end of the work train—as well as hi-rail vehicles—was used to shuttle workers in and out of the site.  Here we see the engine on the south end of the train taking off to perform taxi service:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1933529

What I really wanted to do was get a good photo of a passenger train going by the slide site.  I figured the best way to do this was actually from some distance so I headed up to MP 10 at Carkeek Park where the beach extends into Puget Sound enough to get the slide scene and a passenger train in the shot.

By this time Blair Kooistra had taken transfer and was the second shift Seattle Terminal Dispatcher.  He had brought light Rabanco garbage train power out of Interbay up to Blue Ridge on Main Track 2 where it would be passed by Sounder Train No. 1700.  After the Sounder passed, the light power would cross over to Main Track 1 to get around the work train at the slide site.

If I may say so myself, Blair put on quite a show!

Souder 1700 comes into view as it rounds the curve into Blue Ridge.  The garbage train power can be seen sitting at the northbound control signals.  I wonder how long before that house at the top ends up in the water?:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1933543

And here is the best I could do to get the passenger train going by the slide.  1700 eases by the workers on Main Track 1:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1933549

Sounder 1700 accelerates by Carkeek Park:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1933565

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1934006

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1934008

Not missing a beat, Blair fits the garbage train power into the northward flow between Sounders 1700 and 1702 and Amtrak No. 8:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1934012

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1934019

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1934307

From this vantage point, trains can be seen working their way along the sound for miles:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1934308

With the work done for the day, the work train heads south for Interbay:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1934325

This was such a great location that I fired off a few non-train photos.  For those of you who are interested:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1934313

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1934319

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1934335

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1934330

Chris