Rail lines 125th anniversary also marks potential return
Published 9:14 pm Monday, September 9, 2013
SNOHOMISH — A celebration planned here and in Woodinville this weekend is about more than just the passenger trains that started serving the area 125 years ago.
It’s about the hope that the Eastside Rail Corridor between Woodinville and Snohomish can be revived. That includes visions of a regional recreation trail, tourist trains and even commuter rail.
The first trains on the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railroad ran between Seattle, Woodinville and Snohomish on Sept. 19, 1888.
The city of Snohomish and the Woodinville Heritage Society are jointly presenting “Let ‘er Boom: 125 Years of Trains Then and Now.”
“Besides just being an anniversary, it’s now turned into a celebration of the possibilities,” said local historian Warner Blake, who organized a Saturday symposium in Snohomish about the rail line.
The symposium is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with historical presentations, music and a free lunch. There’s also a planned unveiling of a painting by railroad artist Craig Thorpe showing what a future Snohomish rail station might look like.
The symposium will be at AngelArmsWorks, 230 Ave. B, Snohomish. Doors open at 9 a.m. The event is free, but registration is required at bagnew@discovery.org.
Sunday events are planned from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Snohomish and Woodinville. They include historical presentations and costumes, a mini-train ride for children, model rail cars and music.
Snohomish events are at Harvey Airfield, 9900 Airport Way. Historical displays also are planned at the Snohomish Visitor Information Center at 1301 First St.
Woodinville events are scheduled at the tracks across from the Woodinville Post Office at 17610 Woodinville-Snohomish Road.
A special passenger train is set to leave Woodinville at noon on Sunday carrying local and state elected officials. The slow-moving train is expected to arrive in Snohomish around 2 p.m.
The Eastside Rail Corridor still exists, though traffic has dwindled to freight only. Snohomish County is looking to buy the approximately 11-mile segment between Snohomish and Woodinville from the Port of Seattle for $5 million. The county intends to pay most of the price with conservation grants, which are pending approval.
Leaders in the county and the city of Snohomish envision building a recreation trail alongside the tracks for cyclists, horseback riders and pedestrians. They also hope to start up a tourist train between Snohomish’s antiques district and Woodinville’s wineries. Future commuter trains have been discussed, as well.
Snohomish Mayor Karen Guzak and Woodinville Councilman Les Rubstello co-chair the Eastside TRailway Alliance, a group working to promote trail and rail use on the corridor.
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@heraldnet.com.
All aboard
Saturday symposium
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Location: AngelArmsWorks, 230 Ave. B, Snohomish
RSVP at bagnew@discovery.org or 206-228-4011
Sunday events
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (VIP train to leave Woodinville at noon, arrive in Snohomish around 2 p.m.)
Locations: Harvey Airfield, 9900 Airport Way, Snohomish; Woodinville Post Office at 17610 Woodinville-Snohomish Road
Websites
