Vehicle train on Bridge 6.3, Seattle, WA, 9-21-2014
It's late September in Seattle and it's 80F outside. Though it's hot, the trees are turning color as fall approaches.
I'm at the Hiram H. Chittenden Locks, aka the "Ballard Locks". They raise boats from Puget Sound up 20 feet to the level of Lake Washington.
I start with a shot of Bridge 6.3 lowering in preparation for an approaching train. The bridge, the former Great Northern Bridge 4, dates from 1914.
I got some shots of the locks, people hanging out at the adjacent Carl S. English Botanical Gardens, some boats and even a couple of sea birds paddling around.
Our train is a vehicle train inbound to Seattle from Chicago, led by BNSF 5287 (C44-9W). It brings cars made in the Midwest here to the Pacific NW, then returns full of cars that came in from Asian plants and takes them back to the Midwest.
Eagle-eyed viewers will note CSX loco 7792 was also seen in my last video. That time it was eastbound out of Seattle, this it is westbound into Seattle.
5287 / 7389 / 5397 / CSX 7792
C44-9W / ES44DC / C44-9W / C40-8W
Пікірлер: 14
Another great video! Very clear. Nice mix of subjects, people, boats and the solitary seagull with the cormorant.The float plane probably heading for a landing on Lake Union. The lowering of the bridge, and the passage of the train, creates a lot of interest for us. I spent a lot of time at the Ballard Locks-just to watch the trains go by! Thank you for the memories and a very 'Good Show'!
Really interesting video!
My favorite spot to watch trains aside from Carkeek Park and the Mariners stadium. You can get a good view along Commodore Park which is where this was.
Cool place!Thumbs up!
@SeattleRailFan
9 жыл бұрын
Search my videos for "Bridge 6.3". I've filmed here several times and got some interesting action on video.
Great video, my guess is that these VehicleTrain's pull into the South Yard (across from Boeing Field) from there, I then think their broken into blocks. From there a local takes them to the Black River area to be delivered to the Auto Distribution plant. But that's just a guess.
@SeattleRailFan
9 жыл бұрын
I believe that happens some of the time. I've been in Tukwila and have seen Crew 2 or Crew 9 pulling autoracks from South Seattle Yard past me enroute to Glacier Park Yard. The autoracks are stored in that yard and setout as needed inside BNSF's Orillia Auto Facility next door. I've also seen/heard vehicle trains pulling off the main directly into Glacier Park Yard.
Excellent video (but not enough to make me want to move back).
Very nice video and I also like you stating what is happening, that's always a plus. I used to live Lynnwood, back in 1984 to 1987. I love in the Seattle area, the Locks in Ballard, the trains going over the bridge, the single engine float plane, do they still land in Lake Union? Excellent video.
Seems pretty long for an auto carrier train... Do you think they fit all that in Balmer? And how did you know these originated from Chicago?
@SeattleRailFan
9 жыл бұрын
Seemed like a standard length train, 80-100 cars or so. I believe the vehicle trains either stop at South Seattle Yard and setout autoracks there for Crew 2 or Crew 9 to take to Glacier Park Yard. That yard services the adjacent BNSF Orillia Vehicle Facility. Or they may go directly to Glacier Park and setout autoracks there. Then the train continues to Tacoma. There the rest of the autoracks are unloaded and loaded up with inbound cars from Asia and heads back to Chicago. Fairly certain the inbound vehicle trains are mostly train symbol V-LPCTAC. V=Vehicle train LPC=Logistic Park Chicago, TAC=Tacoma. Google Map "Logistic Park Chicago" - it has a giant parking lot full of new cars.
is this bridge north or south of seattle. thank you for the video.
@SeattleRailFan
9 жыл бұрын
It is within in the city limits, just north and west of downtown Seattle. It's just north of the main BNSF yard, Balmer Yard. The name "Ballard Locks" comes from the fact that the neighborhood on the north side of the locks is called Ballard. Hiram M. Chittenden was the Seattle District Engineer for the Army Corps of Engineers around the time the locks were being planned. Go to Google Maps and search for "ballard locks". That'll give you an idea of where I was. It's a great destination if you're visiting the area. You can see boats entering and exiting the locks, walk across the closed lock doors, there is a fish ladder with viewing areas underwater, botanical gardens, etc. They do free tours as well. Google Hiram M. Chittenden Locks and you'll find a page on the Corps of Engineers site with more info. And after you visit the locks, walk just north of them to the Totem House Fish and Chips shop - yummy!
@MrJimmybgood
9 жыл бұрын
oh ok i know where its at now. i have walked it but not that far down. thanks again.