A northbound Amtrak Cascades train waits before the Salem Avenue grade crossing on Thursday afternoon.
The train horn in the distance sounded like it came from the Union Pacific’s mainline. I was in the Willamette Neighborhood on a bike ride, so I hustled over to my favorite grade crossing to see what I could see.
The grade crossing, for people on foot or on bikes only, is on Burkhart Street. And here is what transpired:
In case you didn’t catch my mistake, the passenger train was not the Coast Starlight as I said on the video. It was the afternoon northbound train in the Amtrak Cascades service. That’s the passenger service between Eugene and Seattle, paid for jointly by Washington and Oregon.
This looked like one of the trains owned by the Washington Department of Transportation.
I don’t know what caused the Amtrak train to start out from Albany Station and then stop and wait for a few minutes before it got to Salem Avenue.
The crossing arms had been down, blocking traffic, then went up to let cars go through with the Amtrak engine waiting in the background. Then the arms came down again and the train resumed its run.
As a railroad town, Albany has many grade crossings where you can get a close look at passing trains. Because it’s on a bike route of mine and goes across two separate lines, I think the Burkhart Street crossing is one of the best. (hh)
The post near the Portland & Western’s track serves as a bike rack while I watch the other track, the UP mainline.
Hasso, I believe you are the only person I know who has a favorite grade crossing.
A crossing that used to be notable, to me anyway, was the one where Scravel Hill Road intersects with the road that goes into Jefferson — it was crazy steep but has since been flattened.
Grew up less than 150 feet from the mainline in Shedd. Miss the trains and the horns both. Thanks for the post.
Um….! Your lead photo HH.
Why are there cars with brakelights on! inside the rail guards.
Almost like they are waiting to be hit. Weird
The train was stopped and the crossing arms were up
Hasso, I love your train videos. Could you please do one as your blog every day from now on until the election is over!!!
Thank you, Hasso, for my favorite kind of video. Two trains this time! Where, using just one engine, did that freight train go?
Love the videos of the trains Hasso! It took me back to my childhood when I lived in that part of Albany. One good memory I recall is of an old steam powered train travelling down the water Street railway many years ago. Thank you so much for the trip down memory lane sir!
Always enjoy reading/watching your posts. I only wish you had a twin that lived in Corvallis. Anyway, the easiest way to tell the difference between the Amtrak Cascades and the Coast Sarlight is the Cascades only have single level cars. The Coast Starlight has double-decked cars, plus it also has a baggage car and a double-decked dome car. Still fun to watch the trains go by… Thanks for keeping us entertained!