In recent years, a number of cities and towns across America have made investments in the restoration of their historic rail stations, and some of these projects have been mentioned on this forum, such as St. Paul and Keokuk, among others. One major restoration effort that has gone unmentioned is that of Seattle's King Street Station. The restoration of King Street has been long awaited, with plans to revitalize the now 107-year-old structure going back more than a decade (the Washington State DOT restored the front entrance room as a pilot project in 2001-02). Finally in April of this year, the 5 year project was completed and areas that had been closed to the public for decades are once again accessible.

Jointly constructed by the Great Northern and the Northern Pacific and designed by the architectural firm of Reed & Stem (of Grand Central Terminal fame), the station originally opened on May 10, 1906. Located a few blocks from the southern portal of Great Northern's then-new tunnel under downtown Seattle, King Street Station served as the terminus of their famous named trains connecting the Evergreen State with Chicago. King Street remained busy for many years, but suffered a decline in patronage and general maintenance throughout the 1960's. The original beauty of the station's interior was removed or covered over in a series of modernization projects undertaken during this dark time in the building's history.

Fortunately, great attention was paid to historical accuracy during the station's restoration, and so now one can truly see just how grand an example of classic American architecture it is.

An anecdote regarding the restoration: the City of Seattle purchased the station (excluding platforms) from BNSF in 2008 for $1. However, the computer used for the transaction was incapable of processing such a small amount, so the price was modified to $10. Oops.

Some links regarding the station's history and restoration:
http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/kingstreet.htm
http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/seattle/s31.htm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdot_photos/collections/72157622013356192/
http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=3643

The last time I rode the Empire Builder was 2010. I remember in 2005 or 2006 they began to remove that awful drop ceiling in the waiting room with a little sign showing what was hidden under it. At that time, the waiting room was very underwhelming. Looking at the restoration photos, I hardly recognize the interior!

It is indeed quite a change from what it was just a few years ago. I have ridden round trip on Amtrak in and out of King Street multiple times over the last 6 years (my next departure is on Wednesday), so I have seen progress slowly occurring step by step. I was there for the grand unveiling of the finished waiting room back on Wednesday, April 24th (I've never seen so many politicos in one room before!).

It had been closed the previous year for the last stage of restoration work, which was to replicate all the lost plaster work and marble paneling on the walls, repairing the ceiling, and restoring the original floor, which was badly cracked in multiple places and needed a good waxing. When the station had been modernized back in the 60's, all the marble and plaster below the new ceiling line in the waiting room had been entirely removed (the original ceiling had simply been covered over and needed patches and paint).

During the waiting room closure, all of Amtrak's passenger operations (loading, unloading, and waiting area) were conducted in the completely-rebuilt servicing area (baggage room) in the back of the north wing of the station, with the renovated baggage claim and new ticketing office (in the old restaurant space) open for use. Amtrak moved back into the waiting room the next day, Thursday, April 25th.

With the relocation of the baggage carousel into the original baggage claim and the ticketing office moved into the former lunch counter space, five additional doorways (gates) to the platforms were reopened after being closed for decades. Reopened Gates 1 & 2 (on the east elevation) are immediately adjacent to the new ticketing office (the doors had been there, but had not been used for passengers for some time). Reopened Gates 6, 7 & 8 (on the south elevation) are where the baggage carousel and ticketing counter were located for many years.

Lindsay Korst, a long-time fan of the Great Northern, visited the station in June and posted the pictures he took on his website here: http://www.gngoat.org/king_street_restored.htm

I was there on a trip to Vancouver returning last night. The improvements are spectacular.

Very nice photo, Glen! Thanks for posting!

They did an excellent job with recreating the original lighting in the waiting room, using all replica light fixtures (none of the originals were left). The only addition they made was using subtly installed strip lights located high up on the walls pointed upwards to light up the individual bays of the coffered ceiling.

I am very much amused with the mismatching of seats in the waiting room. Replica wood benches, new metal-framed, metal-backed seats (in the foreground of Glen's photo), and the remaining black cushion "modern" airport-style seats from the station's lean years (on the bottom right). I was hoping that they would order more replica wood benches after the restoration was finished, but I guess not.

Rainier Rails,

I couldn't agree more. The lighting is an essential element. Here is another photo.

Another great photo, Glen! Both pictures really show the ambiance created by the historical lighting. Thanks again for posting!

For those of you who would be interested, here's a couple more links.

Station Drawings

These are not the original architectural drawings of the station from 1906, but are instead a series of heating diagrams dating from after the modernization of the station began. This is confirmed by the presence of the escalator annex on the station's west elevation.

For point of reference, the station's east elevation is at the top of the drawings. You will notice that the drawing of the first floor is much longer in the northern wing of the station. This is due to the fact that the mail and baggage rooms are located under what was originally the upper parking lot, which is now just a brick-and-gravel paved plaza.

When you open any one of the links, click once on the drawings to magnify to full, legible size.

First floor: http://www.gn-npjointarchive.org/BNStructures02000/Struc001383.gif
Second floor: http://www.gn-npjointarchive.org/BNStructures02000/Struc001384.gif
Third floor: http://www.gn-npjointarchive.org/BNStructures02000/Struc001382.gif

From the Great Northern Railway Historical Society-Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association Joint Archive website at: http://www.gn-npjointarchive.org/default.aspx

The station drawings are located in this database: http://www.gn-npjointarchive.org/Lists/BN_Structure_Drawings/AllItems.aspx

Here's another group of photo links:

Classic Trains at King Street Station & Coach Yard

1. NP F7A #6512A laying over (note the AC&F UP baggage): http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2852855 (J.A. Phillips III photo)

2. GN SDP45 #326 and a sister unit (looks like the Empire Builder after alighting passengers moving south to make the turn at the Coach Wye): http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=144991 (Joe Hughes collection)

3. Amtrak train consist (for eastbound train #26*[1]) and promontional signs inside the station: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2301129 (Henry Frick photo, Christopher Palmieri collection)

4. NP F9A #6702A (as BN #9808) in classic A-B-B-A formation with three other units (only one as a hockey stick!) leading westbound Amtrak train #31, the Empire Builder, into the station for alighting: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2300606 (Henry Frick photo, Christopher Palmieri collection)

5. A BN (ex-GN) switcher is about to pull the consist of Amtrak train #31, including GN 6-5-2 sleeper #1374 "Park Creek Pass," into the Coach Yard for servicing: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2301130 (Henry Frick photo, Christopher Palmieri collection)

6. NP GP9 #256 (as BN #1879) rings its bell as it leads a mixed freight (look at those classic Rock Island trailers!) south on Main 1 past the station. Check out the Empire Builder consist with the traditional 4 domes (all GN heritage except 1 SP&S in NP Loewy paint): http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2300609 (Henry Frick photo, Christopher Palmieri collection)

7. Amtrak "bloody nose" covered wagon at King Street with a Budd slab-side car in Amtrak Phase I in the background: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1861803 (S.L. Dixon photo)

8. Collection of cars at the platforms. Note the BN business car on the closest (stub) track (likely ex-NP; doesn't have the traditional GN Mars light): http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1861801 (S.L. Dixon photo)

9. Amtrak RDC2 #30 & #31 (ex-NP #B30 & #B31; #B31 ex-WP #375) on a stub track at the station (note the 3 SP&S heavyweight baggage cars): http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1861805 (S.L. Dixon photo)

10. Amtrak E8A #346 (ex-BN #9953, nee-CB&Q #9947B) with an ex-NP baggage in Loewy paint: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1861796 (S.L. Dixon photo)

11. Amtrak train #31, the westbound Empire Builder, with a string of cars in GN Big Sky Blue and NP Loewy paint (closest NP car is a Lewis & Clark Traveller's Rest): http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1408018 (Greg Smith photo)

12. SP&S C425 #315 (as BN #4255), BN GP30 #2228 (ex-CB&Q #951), and an ex-NP covered wagon lead a mixed freight north (timetable east)*[2] on Main 2 past King Street Station: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=615351 (Greg Smith photo)

13. NP GP9 #336 (as BN #1921) and NP GP9 #255 (as BN #1878) lead a mixed freight north (timetable east)*[2] on Main 2 past King Street Station: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=615353 (Greg Smith photo)

14. William W. Kratville's Autoliner Corporation (ALC) business car #100 in Amtrak Phase II at King Street. Built by P-S in 1942 as C&NW 4-4-2 sleeper "Imperial Drive" for UP Overland Route pool service; now the PV "Yerba Buena": http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=615355 (Greg Smith photo)

15. Another ALC asset, dome lounge observation #200 "Linoma" in Amtrak Phase I. Built by Budd in 1948 as C&O #1877 for the Chessie, sold to D&RGW as #1250, then to ALC as #200, to Amtrak in 1974 as #9384. On the rear of the Amtrak train headed north to Vancouver, B.C. with 1 of NP's ex-MKT coaches: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=615365 (Greg Smith photo)

16. BN E8A #9947 (ex-CB&Q #9947A; later Amtrak #341): http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=615367 (Greg Smith photo)

17. NP F3A #6502A (as BN #9762) leads Amtrak train #31, the westbound Empire Builder, past the Coach Yard towards its final destination King Street Station (note the GN boxcar): http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=615370 (Greg Smith photo)

18. CB&Q E8A #9945A (as BN #9945), with another Burlington Route covered wagon, departing King Street with the then tri-weekly*[3] Amtrak train #11, the southbound Coast Starlight: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=615406 (Greg Smith photo)

19. ALC business car #100 on the back of departing Amtrak train #32, the eastbound Empire Builder, headed south towards Auburn and Stampede Pass. Note that BN has removed the last of the remaining REA lead tracks on the left: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=615407 (Greg Smith photo)

20. BN (ex-GN) and Amtrak covered wagons occupy Main 2 while workers inspect an ex-GN coach in Big Sky Blue at platform 3: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=615408 (Greg Smith photo)

*[1] At the time of the photo, Amtrak tri-weekly trains #25 & #26 did not carry the name North Coast Hiawatha, as they were combined/split from the Empire Builder (trains #31 & #32) at Spokane and Minneapolis. See here: http://www.timetables.org/full.php?group=19710712r&item=0027

*[2] King Street Station is Milepost 0 for the Seattle Subdivision, the Bellingham Subdivision, and the western end of the Scenic Subdivision. South on the Seattle Sub towards Vancouver, WA, mileposts increase, and north (east) on the Scenic Sub towards Everett (PA Junction) mileposts increase. On the Scenic Sub east of PA Junction towards Stevens Pass, mileposts are measured from 7th Street in St. Paul. On the Bellingham Sub north of PA Junction towards Canada, mileposts are measured from King Street. On the Seattle Sub, trains are either southbound towards Vancouver or northbound towards King Street. On the entire length of the Scenic Sub, trains are either westbound towards King Street or eastbound towards Chicago, hence the change in timetable direction at King Street.

*[3] During Amtrak's early years, the Coast Starlight (trains #11 & #14) was a tri-weekly train north of Oakland. The other four days of the week, the train operated as the Coast Daylight (trains #12 & #13) between Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal and Oakland 16th Street Station.

Enjoy the pictures. I'd keep going, but there's a wicked line of thunderstorms coming in off the mountains and I'd rather not be in the middle of typing a sentence when the power goes and I lose my internet access. There's another rumble. Over and out.

Edit at 4:28 AM: line of thunder cells has passed. It was really an electrifying experience!

Here's another group of photo links:

Classic Trains at King Street Station, Continued

21. GN J1 Class 2-6-2 Prairie #1524 waiting to depart with a passenger run at King Street Station: http://www.gn-npjointarchive.org/GNRHSKeyes/GNRHS.40.S.73.04.jpg (Norman Keyes collection)

22. GN P2 Class 4-8-2 Mountain #2500 at Platform 3 waiting to depart with the GN-NP pool train to Portland Union Station and NP #1123 passing northbound (eastbound) on Main 1 in 1935: http://www.gn-npjointarchive.org/GNRHSKeyes/GNRHS.40.S.97.01.jpg (Norman Keyes collection)

23. GN H5 Class 4-6-2 Pacific #1363 waiting to depart with a passenger run from Platform 3: http://www.gn-npjointarchive.org/GNRHSKeyes/GNRHS.40.S.70.27.jpg (Norman Keyes collection)

24. Another view of the #1363 waiting to depart: http://www.gn-npjointarchive.org/GNRHSKeyes/GNRHS.40.S.70.18.jpg (Norman Keyes collection)

25. CB&Q 24-8 Slumbercoach #4901 "Silver Slumber" in the consist of the North Coast Limited at King Street Station on August 15th, 1962 (dome coach #558 is on the right): http://www.gn-npjointarchive.org/Wingfield/NPR_CBQ_Pullman_Sleeper_SilverSlumber_SeattleWA_19620815.jpg (Doug Wingfield photo)

26. CB&Q dome coach #558 (in NP Loewy paint) in the consist of the North Coast Limited at King Street Station on August 15th, 1962 (the "Silver Slumber" is on the left): http://www.gn-npjointarchive.org/Wingfield/NPR_BUDD_Dome_558_SeattleWA_19620815.jpg (Doug Wingfield photo)

27. NP FP5A #6506C, FP3B #6503B & FP3A #6503A in A-B-A formation are the power for the North Coast Limited at King Street Station on August 15th, 1962 (the page linked incorrectly has the #6503A as the #6503C): http://www.gn-npjointarchive.org/Wingfield/NPR_EMD_FP5A_6506C_FP3B_6503B_FP3A_6503C_SeattleWA2_19620815.jpg (Doug Wingfield photo)

28. Another view of the power: http://www.gn-npjointarchive.org/Wingfield/NPR_EMD_FP5A_6506C_FP3B_6503B_FP3A_6503C_SeattleWA1_19620815.jpg (Doug Wingfield photo)

29. Baggage is being loaded in preparation for departure: http://www.gn-npjointarchive.org/Wingfield/NPR_EMD_FP5A_6506C_FP3B_6503B_FP3A_6503C_SeattleWA3_19620815.jpg (Doug Wingfield photo)

30. GN promotional photo of King Street Station: http://www.gn-npjointarchive.org/DevelopmentImages/KingStStationCrop.jpg (GN-NP Joint Archive)

Enjoy the pictures.

Classic Trains at King Street Station & Coach Yard, Continued:

With a few photographs taken at other locations in Seattle mixed in for good measure. Enjoy the pictures!

31. A Club-Series 4DB-1C sleeper buffet lounge observation (P-S, Lot #6781, Plan #4120A, 1948/54) carries the markers of NP's North Coast Limited departing King Street Station south towards Auburn, where the train will turn east to head over Stampede Pass. The six Club-Series cars were originally built as 5DB (Plan #4120) and reconfigured to 4DB-1C in 1954. August 15th, 1962: http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/3/7/0/9370.1296796258.jpg (Doug Wingfield photo and caption info) (click once to enlarge)

32. NP F9A #6702C (ex-#7007D, to BN #9810, later #776) in the evening sunlight at King Street in August 1967: https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1163/5110319173_9119ff23e3_o.jpg (Rick Wright photo and caption info) (click once to enlarge)

33. An A-B-A set of NP covered wagons, with F9A #6702A (later BN #9808/#774) in the lead, bring train #25, the WB North Coast Limited into King Street Station. The #670x-series F9's were equipped with steam generators, the water for which was stored in tanks in the baggage cars. July 1st, 1969: http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/3/0/2/7302.1348865750.jpg (Bob Krone photo and caption info) (click once to enlarge)

34. NP lightweight business car Yakima River (P-S, Lot #6952, Plan #7645, 1955) brings up the rear of train #25, the WB North Coast Limited at King Street Station on July 1st, 1969. The Yakima River was later BN #A6 Missouri River, and is now BNSF #4 Missouri River (#800271). Note the SP blunt end 10RM-6DB sleeper in UP Armour Yellow: http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/3/5/8/8358.1348865983.jpg (Bob Krone photo and caption info) (click once to enlarge)

35. NP F7A #6511C (later BN #9782, then Amtrak #105) idles at King Street Station in August 1969 (note the GN homebuilt postal storage car): http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/2/4/1/6241.1183269600.jpg (Drew Jacksich photo and caption info) (click once to enlarge)

36. Amtrak full dome lounge #9365 River View (ex-BN #1395, nee-CB&Q #1395, Budd, Lot #9679-155, 1955, Empire Builder) in BN Cascade Green in the coach yard in March 1972. The River View was converted in 1984 to HEP #9302, and was sold in 2001 to American Orient Express and renamed Copper Canyon (#800743), and is now owned by Xanterra-Grand Canyon RY. http://www.trainpix.com/bn/PASSCAR/PASSENGE/19201140/9365.JPG (Cliff West photo) (click once to enlarge)

37. NP 48 seat chair #581 on one of the King Street stub tracks with other ex-NP and ex-GN equipment in 1972. #581 was built in 1956 by P-S in Lot #6982 to Plan #7642A as 14 seat parlor 32 seat club lounge #487, one of five "Holiday Lounges" (#487-#491), all of which were reconfigured in 1962-1963 to "Day-Night" chairs #581-#585. The #581 by this point had already been sold to Amtrak by BN, and would eventually be repainted and renumbered as #4890. Amtrak also acquired #582-#584 as #4891-#4893, #585 was retained by BN and assigned to the Pasco wreck train. #581/#4890 was retired and sold in 1981 to Mike Gelhaus-Inland Pacific Rail, painted in NP Loewy Two-Tone Green, named Inland Empire, and is part of Mike's North Coast Limited trainset outside of Spokane, WA. Mike also owns two NCL dome coaches (#549, CB&Q #557), two NCL dome sleepers (#309, #313), Slumbercoach #327 Loch Lomond, Lewis & Clark Traveller's Rest #496, and SP&S sleeper buffet lounge #601 Mount St. Helens. http://abpr2.railfan.net/october11/10-07-11/NP581_Seattle_WA_1972_Coach.jpg (ABPR/"Bill" photo and caption info) (click once to enlarge)

38. CB&Q E8A #9947A (as BN #9947, later Amtrak #341) leads train #793, the Pacific International (Vancouver, B.C.-Seattle) SB (timetable WB) towards the north portal of the Great Northern Tunnel under downtown. The #793 is only a few minutes away from King Street Station, located at the south portal. The bridge at upper right is the Alaskan Way Viaduct of U.S./Washington Highway 99. Note the ex-NP, nee-MKT Texas Special coach and Autoliner Corporation's ex-D&RGW, nee-C&O Chessie dome lounge observation #200 Linoma, which was later Amtrak #9384. The Linoma was named for a lake between Lincoln and Omaha. September 1st, 1972: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=615357 (Greg Smith photo and caption info)

39. BN SD45 #6487 leads the WB (SB) Pacific Zip priority on main 2 past King Street Station, while an ex-NP switcher occupies main 1 with a string of passenger cars. September 1st, 1972: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=615373 (Greg Smith photo and caption info)

40. SP dome lounge #3601 in Amtrak Phase I (later Amtrak #9370) on the then-tri-weekly train #11, the SB Coast Starlight, before departure from King Street Station on September 1st, 1972. Originally built as T&NO parlor #700 (P-S, Lot #6515, Plan #7381A), converted to dome in 1955. The #9370 was wrecked in March 1977 at Corning, CA, and sold in 1978 to a private owner in Kansas; the car was later scrapped after being damaged by a tornado. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=615404 (Greg Smith photo and caption info)

41. BN Cascade Green-painted (ex-NP) cafeteria #456 is in the coach yard with other Cascade Green and Loewy Two-Tone Green-painted cars in 1973. #456 was one of two cars built in 1953 by P-S in Lot #6933 to Plan #7534B as 40 seat diners, the other being #457. Both cars were reconfigured in 1962 to 32 seat diner 11 seat lounges, and reconfigured again in 1967 to 38 seat cafeterias; seating was later reduced to 36. Planned to be renumbered as BN #1284, the car retained its NP number when repainted into Cascade Green. #456 was later transferred to MofW as #968126, and #457 as #968127. Note the steel skeleton for the roof of the new Kingdome being assembled in the far left background: http://www.trainpix.com/bn/PASSCAR/PASSENGE/19201140/456.JPG (Cliff West photo) (click once to enlarge)

42. BN F7A #9772 (ex-NP #6513C) with 3 ex-GN units pulls away from the platform with Amtrak train #8, the EB Empire Builder, which at this time was routed over Stampede Pass. April 1973: http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/7/5/5/2755.1298729100.jpg (Don Oltmann photo and caption info) (click once to enlarge)

43. Amtrak F7A #100 (ex-BN #9764, nee-NP F3A #6502C). The front facade of Union Station (UP-MILW) is in the upper background. June 20th, 1973: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3708375 (Ron Hawkins photo and caption info)

44. BN's WB (SB) priority Pacific Zip waits for Amtrak SDP40F #538 and #532 with train #7, the WB Empire Builder, to clear main 2. At this time, the Builder went via the former NP's Stampede Pass line, instead of the traditional GN route over Stevens Pass. E8A #332 (ex-BN #9933, nee-CB&Q #9940B, later #463), the power for train #793, the Pacific International, idles at the platform, while train #11, the SB Coast Starlight, waits to depart at the far left. SDP40F #538 was later traded in for F40PHR #369, and #532 was traded in for #331. Note the Kingdome under construction. April 15th, 1974: http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/5/7/9/2579.1267841437.jpg (Don Crimmin photo and caption info) (click once to enlarge)

45. Amtrak E8A #333 (ex-BN #9934, nee-CB&Q #9941B), F7B #154 (ex-BN #9771, nee-NP #6513B), and E8A #340 (ex-BN #9946, nee-CB&Q #9946A) pull the then-tri-weekly train #11, the SB Coast Starlight, out of King Street Station on April 15th, 1974 (note the Kingdome under construction): http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/2/5/9/3259.1267282571.jpg (Don Crimmin photo and caption info) (click once to enlarge)

46. GN Mid-Century Empire Builder buffet lounge observation #1290 Appekunny Mountain (AC&F, Lot #3447, 1950) in the coach yard with an ex-NP North Coast Limited dome on May 15th, 1974. This would have been soon before or after the sale of the Appekunny Mountain to the Grant Supply Corporation. Under Grant Supply ownership, the #1290 was painted in SP Daylight colors and used in the consist of the 1984 World's Fair Daylight. The Appekunny Mountain is now California Northern (CANR) #100 (#800005) (Napa Junction, CA). http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3713232 (J. Fischer photo and caption info)

47. SP&S heavyweight postal storage #58 (ex-RPO-baggage #43, exx-GN #186, nee-#21) in the coach yard with SP&S heavyweight RPO-baggage #45 on May 15th, 1974: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3713237 (J. Fischer photo and caption info)

48. SP&S heavyweight RPO-baggage #45 (ex-Pullman 12S-1DR sleeper TC #1251, nee-Elswick, Lot #3866, Plan #2410, 1911/41/47) in the coach yard on May 15th, 1974: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3713239 (J. Fischer photo and caption info)

49. Amtrak 14 seat lunch counter 8 seat diner 18 seat lounge #8381 Dixie Journey in the coach yard with ex-BN cars in Cascade Green and NP Loewy Two-Tone Green on May 15th, 1974. The #8381 was built in 1947 as MEC 24 seat diner 18 seat club lounge #16 Arundel (P-S, Lot #W6778, Plan #W46544), sold in 1951 to C&EI #604, sold in 1959 to L&N and reconfigured to 28 seat diner 18 seat lounge #2801 Dixie Journey, changed to the lunch counter diner lounge configuration in 1964. The #8381 was retired and sold in 1977 to the Hancock County Port Commission (Bay St. Louis, MS), later to the Waccamaw Coast Line. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3713820 (J. Fischer photo and caption info)

50. SP&S heavyweight postal storage #56 (ex-Pullman 12S-1DR sleeper TC #1317, nee-Gratwick, Lot #3881, Plan #2410, 1911/41/47) in the coach yard on May 15th, 1974: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3713260 (J. Fischer photo and caption info)

51. GN 60' RPO-baggage #44 (AC&F, Lot #3035, 1949) in the coach yard on May 15th, 1974. Built as C&NW #8226 for the Overland Pool, sold to GN in 1964, planned to be renumbered as BN #605, not applied. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3713248 (J. Fischer photo and caption info)

52. CB&Q California Zephyr 10RM-6DB sleeper #424 Silver Shore (Budd, Lot #9660-019, Plan #9509, 1948) in the coach yard on May 15th, 1974. Planned to be renumbered as BN #1413, not applied, later Amtrak #2651, converted in 1983 to HEP #2469. Sold in 1988 to Henry Quadrachi-Quad Graphics and rebuilt to 1SR-4DB sleeper diner lounge observation (#800062). Note the SP&S ex-MKT car coupled to the Silver Shore: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3713951 (J. Fischer photo and caption info)

53. CB&Q California Zephyr 48 seat leg rest chair #4743 Silver Larch (Budd, Lot #9639-019, 1948) in the coach yard on May 15th, 1974. Built as Plan #9507 16S sleeper #401, converted to chair in 1964, later Amtrak #4806, converted in 1981 to HEP #4740, sold in 2000 to St. Louis Chapter, now MRLX #800728. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3713245 (J. Fischer photo and caption info)

54. UP business car #101 and a second car occupy a stub track at King Street Station on June 15th, 1974. Built in 1950 as 44 seat leg rest chair #5447 (P-S, Lot #6844, Plan #7617), converted in 1957 to business car #100 (5th), renumbered in 1965 to #103 (5th), renumbered in 1968 to #102 (4th), renumbered in 1971 to #101 (4th), to UPP #101 Pocatello in 1989, renamed Lone Star in 2001. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3713840 (J. Fischer photo and caption info)

55. Amtrak articulated coaches #7526-#7527 in the coach yard on June 15th, 1974. This pair of coaches was one of several acquired from the SP in 1973, having been built in 1941 as SP 46 seat coaches #2457-#2458 (P-S, Lot #6638, Plans #7424A-#7423A), SP increased the seats to 50 in 1968. The #7526-#7527 was retired and sold in 1976 to Rail Service Industries (Mira Loma, CA). Note the ex-NP Lewis & Clark Traveller's Rest [sic] to the left and the Kingdome under construction to the right. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3713826 (J. Fischer photo and caption info)

56. GN SW1 #81 performs its usual duty of switching cars at the King Street platforms on June 22nd, 1974. Later BN #81, this engine still calls the Evergreen State home, currently owned by Relco as #504 and assigned to AgriNorthwest's grain elevator in Plymouth, WA. The 73' baggage-messenger is NP (BN) #201 (P-S, Lot #6981, Plan #DP-1-20033, 1956), one of several ex-NP baggage cars retained by BN and leased to Amtrak until 1981, when the cars were traded to Amtrak in return for ex-GN full dome lounge #1390 Glacier View. The #201 was converted in 1982 to Amtrak HEP #1175, and was renumbered in 1995 to #1801 for the Vermonter. Sold to Morristown & Erie in 2006, the #201 was scrapped on January 14th, 2012. Note the Kingdome under construction: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3719581 (Jack Smith photo and caption info)

57. BN track measuring car #B9 on one of the stub tracks at King Street on a cool, cloudy day in July 1974. The #B9 was built in 1924 as Pullman 28 seat parlor-1DR Cordelia (Lot #4801, Plan #3416). The Cordelia was sold to GN in 1938 as parlor #1083. Due to wartime restrictions, the #1083 was reconfigured to a coach in 1942, and returned to a parlor configuration in 1945. In 1952, GN rebuilt the #1083 to a streamlined buffet parlor for the Gopher-Badger with the name Twin Cities. Initially renumbered BN #968084, the Twin Cities was rebuilt to #B9 in 1973, later BNSF #80, and was of 2007 stored at the Topeka Shops. http://www.trainpix.com/bn/PASSCAR/TRACKGEO/19201140/B9C.JPG (Cliff West photo and caption info) (click once to enlarge)

58. Although noted as SP&S #58, I believe this is actually SP&S heavyweight 74' baggage-express #52, formerly RPO-baggage #40 (Barney & Smith, 1915), now at the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, WA. In the coach yard on May 25th, 1975: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3723612 (J. Fischer photo and caption info)

59. On a cloudy November 1st, 1975, SP Daylight #4449 and the American Freedom Train were in Seattle for display, and were met at King Street Station by CP Royal Hudson #2860: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7414/8883523538_ecf506a6ac_o.jpg (Mark S. Horne photo, Rick Horne collection and caption info) (click once to enlarge)

60. Amtrak dome lounge observation #9301 Silver Vista at the platform on a misty, gray January 1st, 1976. Built in 1947 as CB&Q dome parlor observation #361 for the Texas Zephyr (Budd, Lot #9652-015), planned to be renumbered as BN #1191, not applied, retired and sold in 1976 to private ownership #800300. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1937914 (John Hill photo and caption info)

61. GN SW1 #81 idles between switching duties on one of the platform lead tracks on January 1st, 1976. Construction of the Kingdome is near completion; the Seattle Sounders FC held their first match at the new stadium three months later on April 9th against the New York Cosmos. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1937916 (John Hill photo and caption info)

62. A pair of Amtrak SDP40F's depart King Street in the mist of January 1st, 1976: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1937918 (John Hill photo and caption info)

63. Three-year-old BN caboose #10770 carries the markers for a SB manifest passing King Street on January 1st, 1976: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1937926 (John Hill photo and caption info)

64. The consist of Amtrak train #793, the SB Pacific International from Vancouver, B.C., is being pulled to the coach yard after deboarding, the power having already departed to the ex-GN Interbay Yard for servicing. The consist includes dome parlor blunt end observation #9320 Silver Terrace (ex-CB&Q #365, Budd, Lot #9652-112, 1952, Kansas City Zephyr, planned to be renumbered as BN #1192, not applied) and dome lounge round end observation #9301 Silver Vista. The Silver Terrace is now owned by Branson Scenic. January 1st, 1976: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1937936 (John Hill photo and caption info)

65. #9301 Silver Vista at the platform after deboarding of the #793 Pacific International. January 1st, 1976: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1937939 (John Hill photo and caption info)

66. A pair of Amtrak covered wagons have a mixed bag of cars at the platform as dusk falls on January 1st, 1976. Note Amtrak 68 seat coach #6800 in BN Cascade Green (ex-BN #6800, exx-GN #6800, exxx-GN #1147, nee-lunch counter diner parlor observation #1147 Red River, AC&F, Lot #3125, 1950, converted to coach 1963), which is now owned by the Pacific Northwest Chapter as #6800 and painted in SP Daylight colors; the #6800 was part of the consist of the 1984 World's Fair Daylight: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1937940 (John Hill photo and caption info)

67. Wisps of steam waft upwards from a pair of Amtrak E units at the platform in the evening light of January 1st, 1976. E8A #340 was built as CB&Q #9946A in May 1950, later BN #9946. The #340 would last only another 8 months pulling Amtrak trains, being retired and sold for scrap on August 25th. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1937941 (John Hill photo, retirement data from Chuck Zeiler)

68. Amtrak P30CH #708, a second P30CH and 2 SDP40F's lead train #18, the EB North Coast Hiawatha, up main 2 past Golden Gardens Park in North Seattle on July 14th, 1976 (note the WB BN freight on main 1): http://www.railpictures/net/images/d1/2/5/6/9256.1365099284.jpg (Bill Edgar photo and caption info) (click once to enlarge)

69. BN F45's #6640 and #6625 lead Amtrak train #17, the WB North Coast Hiawatha, down main 1 past Carkeek Park in North Seattle on the morning of January 1st, 1977. By this time, due to the derailment issues with the SDP40F fleet, Amtrak trains on BN routes were piloted by BN engines with Amtrak steam heat cars or covered wagons, the steam generator on this particular run having been converted from a former UP E9B in 1975: http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/9/8/2/6982.1365174363.jpg (Bill Edgar photo and caption info) (click once to enlarge)

70. BN F45's #6640 and #6625 at King Street Station after disconnecting from Amtrak train #17, the WB North Coast Hiawatha. January 1st, 1977: http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/7/7/4/5774.1393557099.jpg (Bill Edgar photo and caption info) (click once to enlarge)

71. Another example of BN power heading an Amtrak run during the SDP40F debacle, in this case SD40 #6319 with Amtrak E9B #450 (ex-MILW #32B, renumbered later in 1977 to #473) and FP7 #377 (ex-#117, nee-SP #6454, renumbered later in 1977 to #493). This is train #11, the SB Coast Starlight, on January 5th, 1977. The whitewashed roof of the completed Kingdome is half-hidden by the exhaust erupting from the accelerating six-axle diesel: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2473323 (Brian Ambrose photo and caption info)

72. A lashup of classic BN power heads north (east) past the King Street platform leads and the Kingdome on the morning of January 10th, 1977. C636 #4363 (ex-SP&S #333), F7A #610 (ex-GN #274B), a B unit, and a GP30. The #610 is a longtime Northwest native: after being retired by BN in December 1980, the #610 saw service on the short-lived Seattle & North Coast shortline as the #101, and is now used on the Oregon Coast Scenic, restored to GN livery and number. The S&NC operated the Milwaukee Road's isolated Port Townsend-Port Angeles line on the Olympic Peninsula and the connecting carferry (actually a barge) after the MILW closed the Pacific Extension in 1980. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1450040 (Brian Ambrose photo and caption info)

73. Amtrak E8A #345 (ex-BN #9952, nee-CB&Q #9946B, renumbered later in 1977 to #465) on a departing Amtrak run with a BN pilot engine. January 26th, 1977: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1832060 (Brian Ambrose photo and caption info)

74. BN train #139 heads south down main 2 past King Street with a lashup of BN and WP runthrough power, Alco, EMD, and GE: BN C425 #4260 (ex-SP&S #322, sold 1980 to KYLE #4260, later Arkansas & Missouri #4260, then Connersville & New Castle #325), BN GP35 #2540 (ex-CB&Q #994, rebuilt 1990 to GP39E #2904, then BNSF #2904, currently based in Kansas City), BN GP35 #2537 (ex-CB&Q #991, rebuilt 1990 to GP39E #2901, then BNSF #2901), WP U30B #3052 (ex-#752), and WP GP40 #3534 (planned to be renumbered as UP #682, not applied, to lessor GATX in 1986, leased in 1987 to Chicago, Missouri & Western as #3017, then to Gateway Western #3017 in 1990, sold in 1990 to WC #3017 via Wilson RY Co.). #139 will run south on the ex-NP/GN Seattle Sub to Vancouver, WA, then east on the ex-SP&S Fallbridge Sub to Wishram, WA, then south over the ex-SP&S/OWR&N Oregon Trunk to Bend, OR, the ex-GN to Chemult, OR, the SP to Klamath Falls, OR, then over the WP High Line to Keddie Wye; the Inside Gateway route to California. BN SD40 #6319 occupies main 1. February 14th, 1977: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1607402 (Brian Ambrose photo and caption info)

75. BN SDP45 #6599 (ex-#9863, nee-GN #333) pilots Amtrak SDP40F #561 (later traded in for F40PHR #254) on train #11, the SB Coast Starlight, on March 13th, 1977. Note the coach deadheading in front of the baggage cars, which include an ex-SP #67xx-series economy baggage built by Pacific Car & Foundry of Renton, WA (today known as PACCAR). http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2107333 (Brian Ambrose photo and caption info)

76. A lashup of BN F units lead train #139 south past the Kingdome and coach yard on March 16th, 1977. F7A #684 (ex-GN #464A, sold 1980 to Seattle & North Coast #102, later Grand Traverse Dinner Train #1951, now Columbia Star Dinner Train #1951), F7A #644 (ex-GN #314A), F9A #830 (ex-NP #7008D), and F7A #610 (ex-GN #274B, sold 1980 to S&NC #101, now on Oregon Coast Scenic). http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1607399 (Brian Ambrose photo and caption info)

77. Again we see BN train #139 heading south past King Street on May 19th, 1977. GP30 #2211 (ex-GN #3011), F3A #676 (ex-GN #306A, nee-#458A), GP9 #1746 (ex-NP #308, rebuilt in 1992 to GP28M #1502, then BNSF #1502), and F7A #752 (ex-NP #6019A, sold 1981 to Cadillac & Lake City #752, later Colorado & Eastern #752). http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1846848 (Brian Ambrose photo and caption info)

78. BN GP9 #1901 (ex-NP #284, now Dakota & Iowa #22) runs south past King Street with empty TOFC on the morning of June 10th, 1977. The clock tower of King Street Station is hidden by wisps of steam from a soon-to-be-departing SB Amtrak train with a BN pilot engine. Note that #1901 has roof-mounted air reservoirs ("torpedoes"): http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2408276 (Brian Ambrose photo and caption info)

79. Amtrak SDP40F #565 (later traded in for F40PHR #252) and #612 (traded in for #266) have arrived at King Street with train #9, the WB North Coast Hiawatha, on the morning of July 18th, 1977: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1832061 (Brian Ambrose photo and caption info)

80. BN F45 #6605 (ex-GN #432) is in charge of Amtrak train #11, the SB Coast Starlight, with some visiting power: leased SOU FP7 units. First FP7 is CNO&TP #6146. July 19th, 1977: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1604101 (Brian Ambrose photo and caption info)

81. BN GP9 #1910 (ex-NP #325, later BNSF #1625) and GP7 #1632 (ex-NP #558) are piloting two-year-old Amtrak F40PH #226 on train #796, the NB Mount Rainier, on August 5th, 1978. As of the October 31st, 1976 timetable, Amtrak trains #793/#794, the Pacific International, #795/#796, the Puget Sound, and #797/#798, the Mount Rainier, are listed as switching to new Amfleet I cars and F40PH locomotives. #795/#796 were later renamed the Mount Rainier, as trains #797/#798 were cancelled when the new Pioneer (#25/#26) went into service on June 7th, 1977. About to pass under Airport Way just north of Argo (Georgetown), #796 is only a few minutes away from King Street, due in at 12:20 PM: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=955910 (Brian Ambrose photo and caption info)

82. Amtrak F40PHR #251 and #245 are running light EB (NB) along Alaskan Way and the waterfront on the cold morning of January 1st, 1979 between King Street Station and the ex-GN Interbay Yard for servicing. At this time, long distance trains such as the North Coast Hiawatha were still using non-HEP-converted Heritage equipment, hence the steam heat cars: the first converted from an ex-UP E9B in 1975, the second a former GN F3B. GN converted a total of 10 F3B units to steam generators (heater cars) #HC10-#HC19 in 1965-1967, 6 of which (#HC10-#HC15) went to Amtrak in 1972 as #1910-#1915, which were renumbered to #660-#665 in 1977. In 1975, Amtrak converted 6 of its 18 ex-UP E9B units to steam generators #1916-#1921, which were also renumbered in 1977 to #666-#671. F40PHR #251 used components from traded-in SDP40F #575, and #245 used components from #562. John Hill took this photograph from the well-known Edgewater Inn as the light power crossed Wall Street, which climbs the hill through the Belltown neighborhood. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1708210 (John Hill photograph and caption info)

83. A lightweight BN business car is the sole occupant of the stub tracks at King Street on a cold New Year's Day 1979. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1708212 (John Hill photograph and caption info)

84. The Amfleet-equipped train #796, the NB Mount Rainier, is detraining passengers on the inner through platform at 12:15 PM on New Year's Day 1979: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1708213 (John Hill photograph and caption info)

85. BN F9A #824 (ex-NP #7006A), F9B #825 (ex-NP #7006B), F9B #821 (ex-NP #7005B), and GP35 #2500 (ex-GN #3017) lead a manifest SB past King Street Station on September 18th, 1979: http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/6/6/7/2667.1226682974.jpg (Craig Walker photo and caption info) (click once to enlarge)

86. Further equipment changes have come to Amtrak trains in the Pacific Northwest, as Superliner I coaches layover in the coach yard while a BN A-B-A set of covered wagons, including F7A #708 (ex-#9740, exx-GN #369C, nee-#280A), lead a boxcar-dominated manifest SB on August 18th, 1980. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1045073 (Brian Ambrose photo and caption info)

Sources:

1. Tom Madden's Pullman Project CCR database: http://pullmanproject.com/Database.htm

2. "Streamliner Cars Volume One: Pullman Standard" by W. David Randall (RPC Publications, 1981)

3. "Streamliner Cars Volume Two: The Budd Company" by W. David Randall (RPC Publications, 1981)

4. "Streamliner Cars Volume Three: ACF - Other Builders" by W. David Randall (RPC Publications, 1982)

5. "Amtrak by the Numbers" by David C. Warner and Elbert Simon (White River Productions, 2011)

6. Jerry LaBoda's photo links website: http://passcarphotos.info/

7. Photos located on http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/

8. Photos located on https://www.flickr.com/

9. Photos located on http://railpictures.net/

10. Photos located on http://abpr2.railfan.net/

11. Don Strack's UP passenger roster pages: http://utahrails.net/pass/pass-index.php

12. Don Strack's UP diesel locomotive roster pages: http://utahrails.net/up-diesel-roster/up-diesel-roster-index.php

13. Charles Biel's BN diesel locomotive roster pages: http://www.trainpix.com/BN/ROSTER.HTM

14. Charles Biel's BNSF diesel locomotive roster pages: http://www.trainpix.com/bnsf/ROSTER.HTM

15. Charles Biel's update page for May 21st, 2007: http://www.trainpix.com/bn/WHATSNEW/MAY2007/052107V4.HTM

16. Burlington Route Historical Society's CB&Q passenger car roster page: http://www.burlingtonroute.com/docs/rosters/stainlessnumber.html

17. Friends of the Burlington Northern Railroad's passenger car roster pages: http://fobnr.org/bncarlist/passenger/bnpassmain.htm

18. Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association's passenger car roster pages: http://www.nprha.org/Lists/Streamlined%20Passenger%20Cars/Standard%20View.aspx

19. Amtrak timetable database at: http://www.timetables.org/

20. Phil Dohmen's dome car website: http://www.trainweb.org/web_lurker/WebLurkersDOMEmain/

I recently started an account on Flickr, and so I've finally gotten around to uploading the photos I took back on Wednesday, April 24th, 2013, at the grand (re)opening of King Street Station. The photos can be found in this album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/137798583@N02/sets/72157658813301443

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Additions and corrections are welcome. Thanks in advance.