Cascade Tunnel, East Portal

[burnuts007]

awesome shot! sounds great!

[dwkcamman611]

That was awesome!!!

[Chrisgodoflard]

Why is there a door? What it the train crashes in to it?

[SuperDuckman24]

Epic video! The way the NEW BNSF horn, they have an epic sound! Nice video

[WestCoastRails]

Nice catch!! .. also like the little shout out fm the engneer!! Dont see a cool hogger much anymore.

[htc6600]

W-5 electrics would be so much cooler..........

[duknilch]

Bieber was born on march 1st '94 xD



[WPRR1]

Why are the doors there?

[Lookup2Wakeup]

The doors keep the bears out too :-)

[SonSan96]

AAAAAAAAAHHH, IT NEVER ENDS!

[TheMattsbro]

i thought they don't use this anymore

[TheLeomarjunior]

lindo video Show de imagens.

[foxmotors1]

what i want to know is how long the train is

[gillmore718]

i guss it would not be funny if the dor got stuck lol

[Nowak98765]

u dumbshits they l;ock it so ppl dont just walk in and chill there and something bad can happen..

[biking50]

This is the first tunal I seen with a door. They sure don't want no one to come in. But I don't think I would want to knock on the door.

[juvmol]

kind of similar to tunel EL MEXICANO in the sierr amadre mountains  in mexico but dorr opens diferent same sistem of ventilation to avoid crews smokes inalathion

[Coasterrider210]

thats a sick door

[sideslide23]

so why did they pute doors on Tunnel? this realy traps in the diesel Fume.

[cchan006]

@sideslide23: see lots of comments posted before you. They explain why the door is there. If you listen to the video, you can hear the fan which blows out the diesel fumes.

[ETR500FR]

@cchan006 Compliments! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Hi!

[foxmotors1]

@sideslide23 like he said it helps the ventilation takes the fumes out faster bytrapping them

[Frankster81]

@sideslide23 - I have been through that tunnel numerous tunnels as a passenger on Amtrak. The smell of diesel fumes can be smelled somewhat at about the halfway point but it would be far worse (and very unsafe) if they did not close those doors and vent out the fumes through exhaust vents. Without those fans that exhaust would just hang around the tunnel until a draft came by. A draft won't push out the fumes. The fans keep it far more controlled.

[Jemalacane]

Why is the engineer riding the brakes?

[CN413Fox]

Why are there doors on the tunnel?

[2010californa]

ive seen a door in tunnle open like that but it failed to open and then u just hit the train hit the e break and bam riight into the door the onlything that was damaged was the front and the vindws broke and the lights fell out and the coupler was fine soo that brought a union pacific and pulled it put out and i got it on tape

[ziuru1miechow]

Niezła akcja z tym tunelem!

[ellicullab]

The doors keep people from going in there and getting trapped and killed by an oncoming train.

[BVEboxcars]

Wouldn't any train make mincemeat of any doors if the worst was to happen?

[cchan006]

@BVEboxcars: Yup, and it already happened on April 4, 1996, and the door had to be replaced, of course.

[jakey200000]

@cchan006 omg that is when justin bieber was born is this a sign? lol

[Coastergeekperson04]

The doors are a collision waiting to happen.

[cchan006]

@Coastergeekperson04: Happened on April 4, 1996.

[TheMantisTycoon]

@cchan006 Explain to me why they are there please.

[cchan006]

@TheMantisTycoon: The doors help ventilate the diesel exhaust out of the tunnel by sealing one end and inducing air flow. There have been great comments posted by others here, and you might want to read them for details, or check out wikipedia.

[EmSTrO7x3]

Which direction is this coal train coming from?

[cchan006]

@EmSTrO7x3: Coal train is eastbound, heading toward the Midwest.

[EmSTrO7x3]

@cchan006

So is this the east side of the cascade tunnel?

[rkobeska]

I have photo's of the old tunnel and the Iron Goat Trail. You can walk the Old Tunnel which is about 1/2 mile from this portal and "up" a good 1000 feet. I went in 1/2 mile but there is major flooding.

It is open to the public, though I would not suggest it. The roof is in a very bad state.

[SSCexpert]

Love the SD70MACs!

[killsalive]

At the East Portal on the Milwaukee Road, the doors were there to help prevent freezing in the tunnel during the winter. As it was there were many large icicles hanging through out. We would each work an 8 hour shift to cover the 24 hours needed to open the doors as necessary. The prevailing wind was west to east and was strong enough to require a winch and cable to shut the doors again.

[argenvia]

Spectacular!

As one would know when you will have a train leaving the door open tunnel?

wow ............. great freight train

Greetings from Argentina

Gustavo

[Cesudo]

...why would one put doors on their train tunnel? I'm a bit confused.

[cchan006]

@Cesudo: it's to induce air flow inside the tunnel when the fan starts running. West Portal has no doors. ScenicDepot has posted some very informative comments here.

[thetrainman407]

Ahh, Cascades tunnel, perhaps GN's biggest failure of all time. haha. Awesome video!

[lordbemylight]

Failure?  Looks like a tourist attraction to me.

[lieggio]

Fantastic this video! I have never seen the gate in the tunnel, especially rail. Would anyone tell me what the track of the BNSF line?

Tanks.

[v8fepasa]

Wow!So cool!In Brazil the railways are suck! I think US railways so many better than Brazil. Brazil is a rotten country!

[kickflip1234100]

does it have a gate to keep animals out?

[metroareatransit]

well i think the door thing is the gate lol

[Fox250R]

the 2 engines on the end help push?

[BudmanPackfan]

yes, they are called "helpers" or "DPU helpers" (Distributed Power Unit), which means they are remote controlled (no crew) by the lead engineer. They put additional locos in the middle and/or end of trains so as to not over stress the cars in the train as they climb the mountain, especially as they crest the summit. The extra locos also provide additional braking power on the downhill run (called dynamic braking. BNSF will keep this as a complete set all the way to the mine and back.

[metaridleyfan2]

NOW WHY WOULD THEY HAVE A DOOR ON THAT TUNNEL!? TO BLOCK HOBOS!? lol

[AstralAbraxas]

animals too

[BudmanPackfan]

security is an issue, but the prime issue is to control the air inside the tunnel, particularily for the trains going up hill inside the tunnel (I forget if it is EB or WB), as they are working hard and creating a lot of exhaust. This tunnel is not flat, it has a gradient of 1.5% inside. They keep the doors closed and use huge fans to force in fresh air to keep the train crews from dying!!! Then they close the doors and keep the fans cranked up for another 20 min. to clear it out well.

[Railfan19960]

A W E S O M E E C H O !!!!! 5/5*

[Joshjeff1611]

Corse the 70ACE is simply an "inviornmentaly approved" 70MAC

[BudmanPackfan]

SD70ACE it AC traction motors, the MAC is DC traction. they use the same exact prime mover. The ACE is just a little bit better on the start than the MAC, The MAC is a little bit better up hill/down grade LONG runs than the ACE.  It gives the owner the choice of what they need for their RR. Check out the EMD website.

[BlackwidowSD9]

Mac's are still AC "M" designates the cab type and "AC" is the electrical current

[BudmanPackfan]

Doooooooh on me. I whiffed, thinking of just the "M" and not the MAC.... Thanks for pointing out my error.

[nezian1]

fuck long train

[Renwysocki]

Tunnel gate, this is the first time I see!

[livestockdana]

thats cool

[KSE828]

The new engines look so much alike i can't tell unless i actually read the nameplate underneath the window. SD70ACe.

[Superiorpakfan]

i know thats true i got confused as well with em at first. everyone makes copys :P

[killerbees177]

I just saw this tunnel on Extreme Trains. 8 MILES LONG HOLY SHIT. It was fascinating how they put clean air in the tunnel

[dustystix76]

are there any vids of the original cascades tunnel (the 2.6 mile long one)?

[cchan006]

The old tunnel was abandoned in 1929. I hope someone can digitize an old footage. People were able to walk through it, until it was closed in 2007 due to a roof cave-in, so maybe there are videos without trains available?

[trainlover479]

and the doors can keep out tresspassers, thats cool

[KSE828]

Sweet! I love the new GEVOS!

[Superiorpakfan]

There not gevos

[Landaux]

Does the door and fans activate automatically like crossing gates, or does someone controll them?

[cchan006]

See other people's comments posted above. In short, the door and fans are activated automatically.

[ScenicDepot]

"Full Ventilation" (door closed and one fan running) for eastbound trains is started by dispatcher. After that, the sequence is automatic.

[remembawhen]

WOW !!!

[MINIHORSE1968]

Think that train was long enough?

[Frankster81]

Thanks for posting that! I've been through that tunnel several times on the Amtrak Empire Builder. I've always taken that train entirely from Seattle to Chicago and back. 1st time through was in Sep 2001 and it was getting dark. I did not realize the length of the tunnel and finally asked the conductor about it. It usually takes about 15 minutes to get through! The only part I don't care for is the smell of deisel after awhile. I never saw the doors or heard the fans after the train exited.

[ScenicDepot]

When an eastbound train exits the portal, the door does not close again until just after train has gone around curve, out of sight. As you pass the portal, the one fan that is running is only going half speed and the motor is not loud enough to hear through the car.

The engine crew wear gas masks. During the years of helper engines and cabooses, they had to endure a whole lot worse breathing conditions.

[Frankster81]

Ok, thanks very much. I suspect you were on a part of BNSF restricted property. I do (or used to) a fair amount of still photography and I'm guessing there are some interesting photos from that point (even if was public property I'd have a hard time getting there because I don't have a car). I can't imagine what the celing of that tunnel looks like. Would be neat to go through there on one of the service trucks set up for driving on paved roads and on tracks. What a view from the engine! Sort of

[Frankster81]

Also, i was surprised to see "civilization" in your video. I don't ever recall being able to see anything but trees when looking out the passenger window. Any idea what road that is passing overhead the portal? I'd like to look up that point on my Garmin mapping program. I wouldn't go near the tracks. BNSF gave me a mild verbal warning on a loadiing platform in Seattle. (Part of the platform, near the south portal by the Seattle Amtrak station, iss off limits).

[cchan006]

U.S. Highway 2 passes close to both West and East Portals of the Cascade Tunnel, and that's what you see in the video.

[Frankster81]

Yes, after your comment here I double checked my waypoint on my Garmin mapping program and saw Rt 2 intersecting the BNSF tracks. If I had a car I'd go there...although I don't know what I would be able to see. I have a still photo of the west portal I took while on Amtrak looking through the rear window of the last car and, at least in my photo, I couldn't see where there might be a "door" that comes across the tunnel opening. Oh well, I get a kick out of that for some reason.

[cnwlover]

Ah okay. Thanks for the info

[asannei]

Excelente video.

[cnwlover]

That si not the longest tunnel in the US. The Moffat Tunnel is, 6.2 miles long across the Continental Divide.

[cchan006]

Cascade Tunnel is 7.8 miles.

[ScenicDepot]

And the Flathead Tunnel in Montana is 7 miles.

[Frankster81]

Yes, I have heard of that. I'm too lazy to go to "Google" right now --- where in Montana is that tunnel? Why do I have a feeling Amtrak goes through it because of my 4 trips between Seattle and Chicago, it was only the first time that it seemed to me that we went through two very long tunnels. I could be wrong, of course.

[Subaruguy8508]

I wonder what it would be like to be in the tunnel when the fans are running....Probably blow you away if the winds exceed 90!

[ScenicDepot]

Bad idea to stand near portal when door opens. 40 years ago we were visiting with Bill the Fanhouse employee; he and I and my dad were standing next to the bridge, both fans running. There was no warning buzzer and strobe light then. The door opened, and Bill was knocked over; my dad had to run to keep from falling over. I was far enough to the side that it didn't get me. My dad was the operator at Scenic and he and I used to run the system.

[222666554]

muy buen video y es muy curioso lo del tunel por cierto para que sirve?

[ScenicDepot]

More powerful fans installed some years ago. Original specs: both fans running produced 90mph at east end. New ones are roughly 10% stronger. Smoke exiting west portal is very visible. Vent system used to be controlled at Scenic depot until 1965, then run by dispatcher in Seattle. Now run by dispatcher in Fort Worth, Texas. There are failsafes to prevent door collision, but once in 1996 old door was not totally open and was hit by train. New door system installed, old door remains as backup.

[ScenicDepot]

Tunnel 7.79 miles long, has 1.57% grade from west to east. Electric engines used from 1929 to 1956. Electrics scrapped, ventilation installed 1956 to accommodate diesels, which otherwise would overheat in tunnel confines. Door closes to force air westward; smoke exits west portal. There are two doors; original door closes vertically. One fan runs while eastward train in tunnel. Door opens as train approaches, fan speed slows to 1/2. After exiting, door closes, 2nd fan starts, blow for 1/2 hour.

[prorobo]

Thanks for the info! Answered my question before I even had to ask. :)

[foxmotors1]

@ScenicDepot uhhh... how do you know all this?

[tweetsie12190]

could you see a steam locomotive going through that tunnle

[sumplais]

Only the 4-8-8-2 cab-forward :\

[tweetsie12190]

same

[jimmydcap]

I would like to see the tunnel from a cab cam

[cooldit1]

how long is the tunnel?

[dirtbag1966]

8 Miles Long

[SPDaylight]

The coal train is unusual as most are routed through Pasco and the former SP&S Ry. line through the Columbia Gorge. This train is an eastbound MTY.

[cchan006]

Funny thing is, I caught another eastbound coal train the day before. I was too late to record it at the East Portal, but I caught it at Merritt. I may post the video later on.

[jumpbluesdude]

this is my dads user name

my name is jackson blanas i am a big fan of trains iv'e only heard very little about the tunnal i think is incredible

[J0Boa]

why do you need gates on a railroad tunnel in the first place?

[kelbym07]

The exhaust system for the tunnel.

[GP9railfan]

To keep the animals, & idiots out.

[NorfolkWestern34]

all of the deisel fumes get in there and they can basically suffocate the engines, so they close the gates and they suck all of that out

[wooamarc]

Pretty interesting automation via tunnel express. Thanks for sharing the video.

[foudurail]

Very nice!

[SPDaylight]

Everything is automated at the tunnel. There are times when a maintenance worker is there but not on a regular basis.

Railway Productions has a DVD on Stevens Pass and the tunnel. It is quite good. If you can find a copy Trains on Location also made a VHS tape of the area.

[SPDaylight]

The fans come on when the train is at Scenic on the west side about 1/4 mile west of the tunnel.

When the train is about 1/2 mile from the door the door opens and the train exits the tunnel. it takes a train 20 minutes to go through the tunnel. The fans stay on 30 minutes after the train is out of the tunnel.

[atlanticcoastexpress]

Hi! Thanks for your video - much appreciated (I've not seen the door operating before) how long did the fans run for? I'm wondering it it's automatic, or perhaps someone is on duty? Maybe one day I'll ride the Empire Builder through the tunnel!

regards Rob

[cchan006]

Before the doors opened, the fan ran for at least 20 minutes, maybe longer. I didn't stay for the fans to wind down after the coal train exited the tunnel, because I was looking for another train to chase. I suspect all this is automatic, but I'm hoping someone else can chime in on that.

[trainOholic]

why is there a curtain

[Amtrakdavis22]

Great shot. That was a very long train.

[richintalent]

just curious- I'm guessing the curtain is triggered by the train itself, sort of like a remote controlled switch or something?

[cchan006]

From what I heard, the curtain opens when the train in the tunnel is about 0.6 miles away, so the train does trigger it.

[CSXkid22]

nice! i wonder if this tunnel will be in Train Simulator 2 as they are doing Steven's Pass for it

[Twostrokefan]

A very Great Video! Twostrokefan!

[watermover8]

Thanks for posting. I heard about the Cascade Tunnel while watching "Extreme Trains".

[Danapeople]

btw, where do all the fumes come out of the tunnel

[cchan006]

I hope someone can answer that. I looked for but couldn't find the exhaust. My assumption is that it is somewhere near the fan, with emissions equipment in between to filter out particulates.

[Danapeople]

o, cool!

[Danapeople]

i like the door thing, ive never seen that before, and its cool how you here the ventilation going off at the start, then back on at the end

[andrewkim110]

Nice. I've live here in Western Washington and I'm glad that you're visiting Seattle, WA. I don't know how long you're staying, but if you need a good railfanning spot, feel free to let me know.

[yofoghorn]

How long is the tunnel?

[cchan006]

The video explains it. 7.8 miles

[SF3751]

Awsome stuff.

[2102FAN]

Awesome!! why does the tunnel have a door?

[cchan006]

The door closes to help ventilate the tunnel in conjuction with a large fan. While a train is inside, the fan is used to circulate cooler air for the crew and the locomotive. After the train leaves the tunnel, exhaust is sucked out of the tunnel. Door is closed to make the circulation more efficient.

[2102FAN]

Wow that is amazing how some one thought of this, and now it is a working pice now.!!!

and again nice catch!!

[UPTurner]

Sweet!!

[elrodjones]

Very cool! Glad the door didn't stick!

[andersersand]

Amazing horn!!!

[xxxDeath9572xxx]

that is so neat with the sliding door!! sweet lash-up!! Nice K5LA on that Sd70Ace! an SD70ACe and a Sd70Mac is an interesting and sweet lash-up! wow i have never seen 2 SD70MACS leading both front but never also seen a BSNF SD70MAc in Dark Orange Paint! Unlike the second Sd70Mac

[mafarnz]

Neat seeing the tunnel door open.

[RailFanDavid]

great video.so the tunnel has a sliding door.never seen that before.i like that BNSF SD70ACe.