I am researching the relationship between Seattle's ports and the railroads. What would be a good reference on Great Northern's relationship to Seattle, such as the Silk trains and their shipping lines?

Did the Milwaukee or NP have similar Orient connections?

Kurt Armbruster has written an excellent history of railroad in the Seattle region.

Orphan Road: The Railroad Comes to Seattle, 1853-1911

http://www.railroadbookstore.com/rrbook ... d/129.html

Quoting one of the reviews:

"Compiled, organized, and written by Puget Sound railroad expert Kurt E. Armbruster, Orphan Road: The Railroad Comes To Seattle, 1853-1911 is an impressive and in-depth railroading Seattle, Washington, and the growth of its railways, economic struggle, urban aspirations, colorful historic figures and more. An adventurous history for railway buffs, Armbruster's informed and informative text is very finely illustrated throughout with many black and white photographs, presenting and enhancing a story as educational as it is fun to read. Orphan Road is a welcome and unique contribution to Railroading History collections and reading lists."