Stampede Pass reopening expected late on March 31

Stampede Pass reopening is now expected late Tuesday, March 31. The line has been closed since March 20. BNSF closed the Stampede Subdivision because of a washout near Easton.

Also, Reuters reported on the railroad’s March 25 advisory. It listed 8 p.m. PT as the estimated reopening time.

BNSF details damage behind Stampede Pass reopening

In a statement to Trains, BNSF described the conditions behind “multiple service interruptions, including on the Stampede Subdivision.”

Don’t miss…PennDOT bridge rehabilitation project alters 30th Street traffic

“The damage assessed involved significant washouts on the main track and heavy debris obstructions, multiple uprooted trees from saturated soil, and downed active power lines,” the railroad said. “Our crews have been working around the clock to clear the affected area, replace and resurface the track so we can safely resume operations.

“Because of the size and scope of the damage, this event has resulted in our main track being out of service for an extended period of time. We assure our customers that we are doing everything we can to get operations back up and running as quickly and as safely as possible, including rerouting shipments on our Fallbridge and Scenic routes in the meantime to minimize impact, and appreciate everyone’s patience.”

Meanwhile, shipments were being rerouted on the Fallbridge and Scenic routes.

Stampede Pass route through the Cascade Mountains

The Stampede Pass line is a secondary route. In addition, it runs through the Cascade Mountains. As Trains notes, it handles a small number of trains each day.

For example, it includes grades of up to 2.2%. At the same time, the summit reaches 2,827 feet in the 1.86-mile Stampede Tunnel. Separately, Burlington Northern closed the line in 1984. Still, BNSF reopened it in 1996.

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed: