I awoke at the Alkire's house in Lynnwood and worked on my Winterail program while the Alkires fixed breakfast. After checking e-mail, we drove to Skykomish via US 2 east from Everett.
Rocky the Goat welcomes you to Skykomish.
The sign for the Great Northern and Cascade Railway, which offers free train rides to the public as well as a railroad education program. The Railroad operates May through October, every weekend plus holidays. We currently have over 2,700 feet of track, are working on our second line and when completed, will have 4,000 feet of track.
The GN&C Railway has one locomotive (2-6-0) and plus ten riding cars, built by its volunteers in addition to all the locomotives owned by our members that they use to give free rides to the public. In order to operate this railroad, a volunteer organization was formed, the "Great Northern & Cascade Railway", which is a Washington State Non-Profit Charity. Members of this organization are in operational control of all of the aspects of the railroad, including the operation of the trains, building of additional track, turntable and steam-up areas, construction of railroad equipment storage and support buildings, as well as crowd management. All of the above construction is financed from by donations received from operations and the gift store.
My Visit and ridesWe pulled in, parked and saw the first train of the day out on the main line.
There were a few passengers aboard.
Returning to the station area.
The Skykomish Great Northern depot built in 1898 is used by the group as a gift shop, museum and office.
The engine house of the Great Northern and Cascade Railway.
Former Great Northern SD9 1731, later BN 599, built by Electro-Motive Division in 1958, which was donated to the Great Northern and Cascade Railway by BNSF.
The second train of the day passing the SD9.
The power for the third train of the day. I heard a horn coming up the valley, so knew that the BNSF freight train, which we had passed at Gold Bar, was on its way.
BNSF 6894 East. I came back to the grounds and rode my first trip of the morning; I would make fourteen trips, seven on each trainset, during our visit.
Passing the engine shop.
While I was on my first trip, BNSF 6917 West came through with Boeing airplane fuselages on the way to Renton.
We were about to enter the east portal of the Cascade Tunnel in reduced size then returned to the boarding area and I switched to the second train and went the other way around the track.
The trestle made out of railroad ties.
About to enter the west portal of the Cascade Tunnel.
The Boeing fuselages on their special train cars on their way to Renton.
The rear of BNSF 6917 West.
I next set up at the west portal of the Cascade Tunnel to catch the next train which Michael Heath was operating and Elizabeth was riding.
The train approaches the east portal of the Cascade Tunnel.
The train exits the Cascade Tunnel's west portal.
Elizabeth brings up the rear as she loves to ride trains as much as I.
Bob was operating this train with Elizabeth as a passenger, crossing the trestle made from railroad ties.
The next train crossed the trestle and then the road into the property. I heard another horn down the valley and went back to the grade crossing to catch the next train.
BNSF 7514 East with the empty airplane flat cars in its consist. I rode twice more and when I returned, heard another horn down in the valley, so back to the grade crossing I went.
BNSF 6073 East with an empty coal train and DPU BNSF 8594. After this, Elizabeth and I went to the Cascadia Inn where I had a French Dip sandwich and unsalted French fries, which really hit the spot. We returned to the grounds and I rode two more trips then when I heard another horn, returned to the grade crossing.
Citirail 1308 East with another empty coal train for the Powder River Basin in Wyoming.
Another westbound, BNSF 4613 West, finally came through, after which Elizabeth and I rode four more times.
The F3A and F3B units in Great Northern colours that are not operational at this time.
The Carson Valley Express had been pushed out of the engine house as well. We rode our final two trips and once I was back, I heard a train horn to the west and returned to the grade crossing.
BNSF 8361 East was the last train. The signal had turned green so I knew there was a westbound approaching and I waited but Elizabeth caught my attention as she and Bob were ready to leave.
The going-away shot from the grade crossing.
A final picture of BNSF 8361 East on the way to the car. Bob and Elizabeth had been tallying the visitor count and donations - 451 riders and donations of about $350. I really enjoyed my visit to this unique railroad and highly recommend to anyone in the Pacific Northwest or visiting the area between the months of May and the end of October to visit and ride this train as rides are complimentary, although donations gladly accepted.
We left Skykomish and stopped by Union Bank in Monroe so Bob could make the day's deposit then drove to The Buzz Inn Steakhouse where I had an eight ounce top sirloin steak which was excellent. We returned to the Alkire's house for the night and watched "NCIS".
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