I have my television on. Watching the Seattle Mariners versus Detroit Tigers. Being played in Seattle. No, this isn't about baseball! As they returned from a commercial break, instead of camera views showing the players getting ready for a new inning, they had one out on Royal Brougham Way. (East-west street on north side of stadium.) And a BNSF freight, inbound to Interbay Yard, was just approaching. In bright evening sunlight, we got to watch much of it passing, before they went back inside to the game. Someone in production must be a railfan! For those familiar with Safeco Field, it's located partly on the former site of the Amtrak Coach yard in Seattle. Just south of King Street Station. It has a retracting roof, which slides out, and actually covers ALL the BNSF multi-tracks at that point. Unique! Boxcab E50
Lately, listening to the horns of passing trains, and a few views such as this, are the *only* reasons to watch. Boxcab E50
One of the neat things about Seattle Baseball is if they are in Seattle and the roof is open, you can hear each and every horn of a passing train! During the All Star Game a few years back, the MLB was trying to have the BN NOT blow their horns during that game. The BN said no it was a safety issue, as most fans have to cross the tracks to get in and out of the stadium. And believe it or not, Seattle Baseball fans also said keep 'em blowin' since the trains are apart of the Seattle Baseball scene. The MLB wanted it stopped because they thought it would annoy baseball fans from other parts of the Country as they watched the game on tv. Glad they didn't though, made the game nicer.
I like hearing those horns. Part of the "mystique" about Seattle baseball. In fact, at times the commentators even remark in a positive light about them, and railroads. What's happening with you lately, Clayton? You need to stop by, and say hello more often! Boxcab E50
There are quite a few sporting venues (sp?) that are located close enough to the rails to hear the trains. I agree with Harold, it would be fun to go to the game to se trains. Sort of like a double header for us railfans...
The high school where I went in Dickinson, Texas had its football stadium next to the tracks. There was a small street between the fence behind the visitors bleachers and the MKT-MoPac joint line that ran from Houston to Galveston. Many a game had the anouncer pause when a train was sounding its horn for the crossing at Farm Road 517. I saw a few trains on the visitor side at high school games at the stadium in Alief, just west of Houston, when my kids were in high school. The old San Antonio & Aransas Pass line that the UP was still using went about a block from one end zone. It is now a toll road so no more trains there.
Harold- In Seattle, as I noted, the tracks are right next to their stadium. It is a multi-track line. Amtrak has tracks just to the south. And their station to the north across the street. BNSF trains are constantly going through, between two yards, and other facilities. It's a major route, eventually connecting to Canada, Portland, and many points east to Chicago, Denver, Texas, etc, etc...... The only way you'd not see trains, is if railroads somehow became invisible. Boxcab E50
check out www.stlcardinals.com the new Busch stadium is thisclose to hwy-40 (hard to see unless you know what to look for--the entire south side of the stadium <first base line> is within 50 feet of the over/under configuration of hwy-40. the former mopac yard ins next to hwy 40, so I'm wondering if we'll be hearing horns at the new stadium! Besides, the easiest way to get to/from the stadium is the bi-state light rail system. very easy to use.
