Rail Lines Seek Higher Speeds Through 33 State Communities

Thu., Dec. 5, 1996

Nicholas K. Geranios Associated Press

Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Amtrak want the state to increase the speed limits for trains moving through as many as 33 Washington communities between Seattle, Spokane and Portland.

The state Utilities and Transportation Commission can do little to prevent the higher speeds unless local governments can prove they are a safety hazard.

“The commission has limited jurisdiction under federal law,” said Alan Scott, rail manager for the commission.

The commission is holding informal meetings around the state, telling communities of their alternatives, Scott said.

Communities can argue safety complaints in front of a court commissioner, but federal and state speed limits would supersede any local ordinances, he said.

One meeting was held in Monroe on Tuesday, and additional meetings are planned in Ritzville, Wenatchee and along the Columbia Gorge in January, he said.

The push for higher speeds is largely driven by the desire to improve passenger service between Seattle and Spokane, Scott said.

Burlington Northern and Amtrak have filed four different petitions seeking higher speed limits in the state.

The first covers the towns of Skykomish, Index, Gold Bar, Sultan, Monroe and Snohomish.

The second is for Camas, Washougal, Stevenson and Bingen.

The third covers Leavenworth, Cashmere, Wenatchee, Rock Island, Quincy, Ephrata, Wilson Creek, Marlin, Odessa, Harrington, Cheney, Sprague, Ritzville and Lind.

The latest petition, filed Tuesday, involves nine communities between Centralia and Portland, Scott said. He declined to name them, saying the information had not been publicly released.

It is unclear when the commission will rule on the requests, Scott said.

The differences between local limits and federal limits can be great.

In Wenatchee, for instance, freight trains can go no faster than 35 mph through town. The maximum speed for Amtrak passenger trains is 70 mph.

But the federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 permits maximum speeds of 60 mph for freight trains and 79 mph for passenger trains on those rail lines, Scott said.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.