I just moved back to Washington and I am wondering if there are any good railfanning sights on Stampede? Also how many trains a day do they run over it? Thanks Rob
Remember that access on the west side is restricted. Due to much of that area being in the Tacoma City Watershed. There are some interesting places to catch them. Such as the Kanaskat area, and Palmer Junction. Or Henry's. (North of Black Diamond.) Where Highway 169 bridges the tracks. Ravensdale. Covington. A scanner can be handy. This used to be under supervision of the "North Branch" dispatcher. I'll defer to someone else for current railfanning conditions. As I moved away about eight years ago.... Good luck. And maybe you'll have some pictures to share? Boxcab E50
Welcome Rob!!:teeth: I live in Covington and have been all over the west side with limited success. I will usually hang out at Auburn until an Eastbound is lined up and moving, follow it thru town, at East Auburn you can pace him for a little way's until it ducks under highway 18, then you see and hear him in the trees. He'll start climbing then up the grade and sounds pretty good, then I'll follow the backroads,(this is where a Thomas Guide comes in REAL handy), to Covington. Then I'll head out to Ravensdale, watch it go by, and then head out to Palmer jct. From there he's pretty much in the Green River watershed which is off limits to everyone. The a couple of grade crossings here and there, but not to picturesque. As for volume, an average 24 hour period is about 8-10 trains, 3/4 of them at night. Westbound freights are the same, except faster and hard to catch! Alot of action in the Auburn area though, if ya' get bored!
