This is Seattle's King Street Station. It's upper
floors have been derelict for some time now, but a major remodeling and
restoration project is now in progress.
|
One of the former F40PH NPCU's painted for use with
the Cascades talgo-equipped trains. Note the fluted skirting between the
trucks! |
|
Since I was riding all the way down to Los Angeles, I
was seated in the last car of the train, coach #34084. |
|
One nice thing about being seated in the rear car is
that you have easy access to the rear vestibule...best seat in the
house, next to the cab of the locomotive!
|
|
|
|
Here we see Cascade and Sounder commuter equipment
mingling in the small coach yard situated south of King Street.
|
|
|
|
The train passes directly underneath the two Tacoma
Narrows bridge spans. I've been across those bridges numerous times; how
curious it was to see them from a different perspective!
|
The tide is definitely out in this picture! That is
supposed to be a private boat channel in the foreground, if you were
wondering. |
Ahh...picturesque southern Puget Sound. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This impressive lift bridge is located just north of
Portland, OR. |
|
Portland was the first major stop, where passengers
could get out for a leg-stretch and maybe a quick smoke if they were so
inclined. I took the opportunity to walk our consist!
|
Here is the Portland depot, with another Cascade in
the foreground. |
|
Our train was being handled by 3 locomtives that day.
First up was # 64
|
Next up was #55, looking a bit worse for the wear.
|
This is a shot of #55's nose...ouch! This engine has
been through the mill!
|
"That will buff right out, I swear!" |
Up front was #63, which was in pretty good shape
overall. |
|
Another shot of #63, with the Portland depot in the
background. This angle would have worked much better in the afternoon
due to the sun...
|
This tower guarded the approach to the station
tracks. |
One of the F59PHI's used on the Cascade service. |
Also present was the Portland section of the Empire
Builder, headed up by #159. |
|
|
|
South of Portland, the scenery got very pretty as we
passed through the mountains. |
We ended the day with sights such as these. |
The next morning, we made a brief stop in Sacramento,
and then continued south, passing over the San Francisco bay in the
process. |
Towards that afternoon, we finally sighted the
Pacific Ocean. California dreamin'! |
The final shot I have here is one of our last rest
stops before pulling into LA. I came to really enjoy these stops, as
they were a great way to get some fresh air (as long as you stood
upwind!). |
|
|
|
|