Is open again. BNSF is running baretables over it.
Good use!
There have also been a couple of empty grainers and at least one Pasco-Interbay manifest, with another MPASINB on its way.
Stampede was never actually closed, according to BNSF. Traffic was simply diverted away from it while things were slow. Here’s how their director of public affairs in Seattle described it to me back in September:
“Bruce, BNSF’s Stampede Pass line remains active and is ‘in-service,’ however, due to economic conditions, activity has been scaled back. Stampede local service continues, with mainline movements (since late Thurs) routed to Columbia River Gorge and Stevens Pass connections. Future main line activity will occur as necessary per Operations and Economic conditions.
Gus Melonas”