# Northern Transcon

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Railroad route in the United States

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Northern Transcon The Empire Builder crosses the Two Medicine Trestle at East Glacier Park, Montana on the Hi Line Subdivision in 2011. Overview Owner BNSF Railway Locale Northwestern and Midwestern United States Termini Chicago Vancouver / Portland Connecting lines Chicago Subdivision Aurora Subdivision St. Croix Subdivision Midway Subdivision St. Paul Subdivision Staples Subdivision KO Subdivision Glasgow Subdivision Milk River Subdivision Hi-Line Subdivision Kootenai River Subdivision Spokane Subdivision Columbia River Subdivision Scenic Subdivision Lakeside Subdivision Fallbridge Subdivision Yakima Valley Subdivision Stampede Subdivision Seattle Subdivision Service Type Freight rail Inter-city rail Commuter rail Operators BNSF Railway Metra Amtrak Sound Transit Technical Number of tracks 1–4 Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge Train protection system PTC[1]

The **Northern Transcon,** a route operated by the [BNSF Railway](/source/BNSF_Railway), traverses the most northerly route of any [railroad](/source/Railroad) in the western [United States](/source/United_States). This route was originally part of the [Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad](/source/Chicago%2C_Burlington_and_Quincy_Railroad), [Northern Pacific Railway](/source/Northern_Pacific_Railway), [Great Northern Railway](/source/Great_Northern_Railway_(U.S.)) and [Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway](/source/Spokane%2C_Portland_and_Seattle_Railway) systems, merged into the [Burlington Northern Railroad](/source/Burlington_Northern_Railroad) system in 1970.

## Route

The route starts at [Chicago](/source/Chicago)[2] and runs west across northern [Illinois](/source/Illinois) to the [Mississippi River](/source/Mississippi_River). It follows the eastern shore of the river through [La Crosse](/source/La_Crosse%2C_Wisconsin) and [Prairie du Chien](/source/Prairie_du_Chien%2C_Wisconsin), [Wisconsin](/source/Wisconsin) before turning west again in [Minneapolis](/source/Minneapolis%2C_Minnesota) and [St. Paul, Minnesota](/source/Saint_Paul%2C_Minnesota) to [Casselton, North Dakota](/source/Casselton%2C_North_Dakota). From Casselton the route runs northwest to [Minot](/source/Minot%2C_North_Dakota), [North Dakota](/source/North_Dakota), then west through [Montana](/source/Montana) and [Idaho](/source/Idaho) to [Spokane, Washington](/source/Spokane%2C_Washington).

In Montana, the line passes the East Gate of [Glacier National Park](/source/Glacier_National_Park_(U.S.)) and crosses the [Two Medicine River](/source/Two_Medicine_River) on a high trestle. From [East Glacier Park, Montana](/source/East_Glacier_Park%2C_Montana), the route continues ascending until it crests the [Continental Divide](/source/Continental_Divide) at the summit of [Marias Pass](/source/Marias_Pass). The line descends down the west side of the pass for 20 miles (32 km) to [Essex, Montana](/source/Essex%2C_Montana), running mostly double track on a narrow shelf, and crossing several high trestles over the [Flathead River](/source/Flathead_River). Essex is home to the [Izaak Walton Inn](/source/Izaak_Walton_Inn), which was constructed when the line was built to shelter railroad employees during the winter months. It also contains a small railyard used to store helper engines, which are used to supply additional power to freight trains crossing Marias Pass. Prior to the invention of the powerful diesel locomotives used today, longer trains often had to be split in order to make it up the pass.

From Essex, the line follows the Flathead River valley to [Whitefish, Montana](/source/Whitefish%2C_Montana). Located in Whitefish is a restored passenger depot/museum (also serving [Amtrak](/source/Amtrak)). The line continues northwest to Stryker, Montana, then turns south and passes through the 7-mile-long (11 km) [Flathead Tunnel](/source/Flathead_Tunnel) as it runs west toward [Sandpoint](/source/Sandpoint), [Idaho](/source/Idaho). The line leaves the Rocky Mountains after [Athol, Idaho](/source/Athol%2C_Idaho) and reaches [Spokane, Washington](/source/Spokane%2C_Washington).

At Spokane the route splits into two, with one line going to [Seattle, Washington](/source/Seattle%2C_Washington) and the other to [Portland, Oregon](/source/Portland%2C_Oregon).

The two longest railroad tunnels in the country are along the Northern Transcon: the [Flathead Tunnel](/source/Flathead_Tunnel) through the [Rocky Mountains](/source/Rocky_Mountains) in [Montana](/source/Montana) and the new [Cascade Tunnel](/source/Cascade_Tunnel) through the [Cascade Mountains](/source/Cascade_Range) in [Washington](/source/Washington_(U.S._state)).

From St. Paul to the West Coast, this is basically the route of [Amtrak](/source/Amtrak)'s *[Empire Builder](/source/Empire_Builder).* But the *Builder* turns north in Fargo onto a BNSF secondary line to reach [Grand Forks, North Dakota](/source/Grand_Forks%2C_North_Dakota), while the Northern Transcon heads directly toward Minot. The *Builder* rejoins the Transcon main route at Minot and continues on to Seattle, though a section branches off to serve [Portland, Oregon](/source/Portland%2C_Oregon). BNSF also owns trackage with running rights in [Winnipeg](/source/Winnipeg), Manitoba, Canada, where it has a yard operated by a switch unit and full crew. The track is maintained by a small track crew.

### Historical alignments in Montana

The portion of the Northern Transcon line from [Columbia Falls](/source/Columbia_Falls%2C_Montana) to [Libby, Montana](/source/Libby%2C_Montana) has been significantly rerouted twice since its initial construction in 1892.

#### Kootenai River valley

Prior to the opening of the [Flathead Tunnel](/source/Flathead_Tunnel), trains left the modern route at [Stryker, Montana](/source/Stryker%2C_Montana) and traveled northwest to [Eureka, Montana](/source/Eureka%2C_Montana), then traveled southwest along the [Kootenai River](/source/Kootenai_River) and rejoined the present-day line at Jennings, located just below the Libby Dam.

In 1970, the construction of the [Libby Dam](/source/Libby_Dam) formed [Lake Koocanusa](/source/Lake_Koocanusa), flooding the towns of [Rexford, Montana](/source/Rexford%2C_Montana) and [Waldo, British Columbia](/source/Waldo%2C_British_Columbia) and the railroad line.[3] This required the relocation of more than 60 miles (97 km) of track between Stryker and Jennings and the building of Flathead Tunnel which, like the dam, was constructed by the [US Army Corps of Engineers](/source/US_Army_Corps_of_Engineers). Part of the original main line from Stryker to Eureka is still in use as the [Mission Mountain Railroad](/source/Mission_Mountain_Railroad). Before the construction of the tunnel, the *[Empire Builder](/source/Empire_Builder)* also had a station stop in Eureka.

The only visible remnants of the original route are a stub track at Jennings, where the unused original track still remains close to the current main line, and Northwest of Eureka the original mainline is now a trail that meanders over towards Lake Koocanusa, with the old right of way eventually diving into the reservoir.

#### Haskell Pass

The alignment that travelled from Whitefish to Libby via Eureka was created in 1902 to replace a predecessor alignment over [Haskell Pass](/source/Haskell_Pass), farther to the south.

The pass was named for its founder, Charles Haskell, who in the winter of 1891 had set out to locate a reasonable alignment for the Great Northern railroad to take between [Kalispell, Montana](/source/Kalispell%2C_Montana) and the Kootenai River. Ranging as far north as the Canada–US border, Haskell's party eventually returned to Kalispell in early spring, having crossed a low notch in the [Salish Mountains](/source/Salish_Mountains) on the return trip. A year after the scouting trip, construction was begun on what was to be the first of three Great Northern lines through the Salish.

Completed in 1892, the Haskell Pass line left the modern alignment of the route at [Columbia Falls, Montana](/source/Columbia_Falls%2C_Montana), a few miles east of Whitefish. The line travelled almost due south to Kalispell, where a branch split off the route that ran to [Somers, Montana](/source/Somers%2C_Montana) on the shore of [Flathead Lake](/source/Flathead_Lake). The line travelled west from Kalispell to Marion, then alongside Little Bitteroot Lake, looping up on a high trestle over Herrig Creek, and passing through a 1,425-foot-long (434 m) tunnel at the summit of Haskell Pass, emerging high on the mountains above Pleasant Valley. The line descended to the valley floor, then turned north along Island Creek, and west down [Wolf Creek](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wolf_Creek_(Lewis_and_Clark_County,_Montana)&action=edit&redlink=1), to the [Fisher River](/source/Fisher_River_(Montana)). The line followed the Fisher River north to the [Kootenai River Valley](/source/Kootenai_River_Valley), where it returned to the 1902–1970 alignment at Jennings.

The Haskell Pass line was used only for ten years before the Kootenai River alignment opened. Shifting to the Kootenai River alignment was controversial because the new alignment was 20 miles (32 km) longer than the old route, although the new route had less steep grades.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Much of the Haskell Pass route was abandoned in 1902. The leg from Columbia Falls to Marion remained in use as a branch line until 1948, when it was truncated to Kalispell. When Flathead Tunnel was constructed in 1970, part of the Haskell Pass alignment along the Fisher River was recycled, namely the leg from Jennings to Tamarack siding (originally Sterling).[4] On Haskell Pass, much of the right-of-way has been grown over, but small remnants of infrastructure and the original tunnel through the pass itself are still intact.

## Winter operations

Keeping the Northern Transcon open during the winter is a significant challenge, whether from snow in the Midwest and mountains, or rain in the Pacific Northwest. Heavy rains have the potential to cause mudslides along [Puget Sound](/source/Puget_Sound) between Seattle and Everett and in the [Nisqually, Washington](/source/Nisqually%2C_Washington) area between [Tacoma](/source/Tacoma%2C_Washington) and [Olympia](/source/Olympia%2C_Washington). For example, in early January 2006, there were four slides between Seattle and Everett. In late January 2006 and again in early February 2006, mudslides occurred both between Seattle and Everett and around Nisqually. Heavy snow in the Rockies around Marias Pass have the potential to cause avalanches that can block the tracks. Following the clearing of a slide or an avalanche, no passenger train can run on the track for 48 hours to ensure that the slide area has stabilized, per BNSF policy.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Passenger trains

The *Empire Builder* traveling through [Glacier National Park](/source/Glacier_National_Park_(U.S.)), [Montana](/source/Montana). (1947)

The *Empire Builder* train at [Winona Junction, Wisconsin](/source/Bluff_Siding%2C_Wisconsin), in 1958

[Amtrak](/source/Amtrak) operates its *[Empire Builder](/source/Empire_Builder)* on the corridor between [Twin Cities](/source/Twin_Cities) and points west, though the train utilizes a more northerly route between Fargo and Minot. Until the formation of Amtrak in May 1971, both [Burlington Northern](/source/Burlington_Northern_Railroad) and its predecessor, the [Great Northern](/source/Great_Northern_Railway_(U.S.)), ran the *Builder* on the section between Chicago and Twin Cities via Savanna, part of today's BNSF Northern Transcon route. When Amtrak took over service, it rerouted the train to run between Chicago and [Minneapolis](/source/Minneapolis)-[St. Paul](/source/St._Paul%2C_Minnesota) through [Milwaukee](/source/Milwaukee) via the [Milwaukee Road](/source/Chicago%2C_Milwaukee%2C_St._Paul_and_Pacific_Railroad).[5] Both Burlington Northern and Great Northern at the time also used to operate west from the Twin Cities before turning northwest in [Willmar, Minnesota](/source/Willmar%2C_Minnesota), to reach Fargo.

Between 1971 and 1979, on the parallel route of the former [Northern Pacific](/source/Northern_Pacific_Railroad) between Twin Cities and [Spokane](/source/Spokane%2C_Washington) via [Staples](/source/Staples%2C_Minnesota), Fargo, [Bismarck](/source/Bismarck%2C_North_Dakota), [Missoula](/source/Missoula%2C_Montana) and [Helena](/source/Helena%2C_Montana) run the *[North Coast Hiawatha](/source/North_Coast_Hiawatha)*, which also served stops such as [St. Cloud](/source/St._Cloud%2C_Minnesota), Staples and [Detroit Lakes](/source/Detroit_Lakes%2C_Minnesota).[6]: 158 [7] Between Chicago and Minneapolis, and between Spokane and Seattle, the *North Coast Hiawatha* run combined with the *Builder* three days a week.[8][9][10][11]

When Amtrak suspended the *North Coast Hiawatha*, it rerouted the *Builder* over the former NP mainline between Minneapolis-St. Paul and Fargo to continue to serve St. Cloud, Staples and Detroit Lakes, which otherwise would have lost service when the *North Coast Hiawatha* was suspended.[6]: 158 The realignment of the *Builder* from the former GN mainline to the NP mainline however resulted in the loss of the stops at Willmar, [Breckenridge](/source/Breckenridge_station) and [Morris](/source/Morris_station_(Minnesota)).

Between 2009 and 2013, when BNSF suspended freight traffic between Fargo and Minot via Grand Forks because of overflows of [Devils Lake](/source/Devils_Lake_(North_Dakota)), threatened to allow the rising waters to cover the line unless Amtrak could provide $100 million to raise the tracks. BNSF also offered Amtrak, during that time, to accommodate the *Builder* on the segment of the Transcon between Fargo and Minot, but that would have meant the loss of the [Grand Forks](/source/Grand_Forks%2C_North_Dakota), [Devils Lake](/source/Devils_Lake%2C_North_Dakota) and [Rugby](/source/Rugby%2C_North_Dakota) station stops. To compensate for the loss of station stops at Grand Forks, Devils Lake, and Rugby that would have been caused by the shift, BNSF suggested that Amtrak add a station stop at [New Rockford, North Dakota](/source/New_Rockford%2C_North_Dakota). However, Amtrak said that they would continue using the line by the lake. In 2010, analysts estimated that Amtrak would soon either have to rebuild the bridge that crosses the lake at Churchs Ferry, or reroute its passenger trains.[12] In June 2011 agreement was reached that Amtrak and BNSF would each cover 1/3 of the cost with the rest to come from the federal and state governments.[13]

In December 2011, North Dakota was awarded a $10 million [TIGER](/source/Transportation_Investment_Generating_Economic_Recovery) grant from the [US Department of Transportation](/source/US_Department_of_Transportation) to assist with the state portion of the cost.[14] Work began in June 2012, and the track is being raised in two stages: 5 feet (1.5 m) in 2012, and another 5 feet in 2013. Two bridges and their abutments are also being raised. When the track raise is complete, the top-of-rail elevation will be 1,466 ft (446.84 m).[15] This is 10 feet above the level at which the lake will naturally overflow and will thus be a permanent solution to the Devils Lake flooding.

The [Metra](/source/Metra) [BNSF Line](/source/BNSF_Railway_(Metra)) operates in the whole [Chicago Subdivision](/source/Chicago_Subdivision), providing [commuter rail](/source/Commuter_rail) service. These are the only passenger trains directly operated by BNSF via a "purchase of service agreement" with Metra. This stretch of track also hosts the [Amtrak *California Zephyr*](/source/California_Zephyr), the [Amtrak *Southwest Chief*](/source/Southwest_Chief), and the Chicago-Quincy sections of the [Amtrak *Illinois Service*](/source/Illinois_Service) on their way to [Galesburg](/source/Galesburg%2C_Illinois) and points west.

Between October 2009 and January 2026, the [Northstar Line](/source/Northstar_Line) operated north of Minneapolis on the Midway and Staples Subdivisions. Also, the Seattle Subdivision hosts [Amtrak *Cascades*](/source/Amtrak_Cascades) as well as [Sounder commuter rail](/source/Sounder_commuter_rail) trains.

## Subdivisions

v t e BNSF Aurora Subdivision Legend mi BNSF St. Croix Subdivision 299.9 Grand Crossing CPKC Tomah Subdivision 296.3 Graf 294.7 Herrington CB&Q to La Crosse 286.7 Stoddard 280.7 Genoa 274.8 Victory 270.1 De Soto 262.2 Ferryville 254.4 Lynxville 247.4 Charme 239.7 Prairie du Chien 237.0 Crawford Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Wisconsin River 235.6 Ports 232.0 Wyalusing 228.4 Bagley 222.8 Glen Haven 213.0 Cassville 205.5 McCartney 200.0 Potosi Wisconsin Illinois 185.0 East Dubuque 184.9 East Cabin CN Iowa Division to Sioux City 177.2 Menominee 172.3 Portage CN Iowa Division to Chicago 171.6 Galena 163.8 Blanding 156.9 Robinson Spur to Savanna Army Depot BNSF-CPKC crossing 143.7 Savanna 142.3 BNSF Barstow Subdivision to Galesburg 138.5 Burke 129.4 Chadwick 122.5 Milledgeville 117.9 Hazelhurst 116.0 Carter 111.9 Polo Illinois Central Railroad 107.4 Stratford Burlington Road Illinois Railway to Mt. Morris 98.4 Oregon Rock River 92.4 Chana Illinois Railway to Rockford 86.3 Flagg Center ↑ single track ⇓ double track 83.2 UPRR Geneva Subdivision Rochelle Railroad Park 77.9 Steward Junction Milwaukee Road 77.3 Steward ⇑ double track ↓ single track 71.6 Lee 67.1 Shabbona 65.0 Union Pacific Railroad 62.2 Waterman 55.1 Hinckley 50.2 Big Rock 44.7 Sugar Grove 40.0 to North Aurora Virgil Gilman Trail former Milwaukee Road 38.4 Mendota Subdivision Fox River Aurora 38.1 Aurora Transportation Center BNSF Chicago Subdivision

v t e BNSF St. Croix Subdivision Legend mi CP Merriam Park Sub 410.5 St. Croix Junction CP River Subdivision 407.8 Burns St. Croix River Minnesota Wisconsin 407.7 Prescott 396.3 Diamond Bluff 391.0 Hager City 386.3 Bay City 378.7 Maiden Rock 372.6 Stockholm 366.2 Pepin 362.9 Mears Chippewa River 362.1 Trevino 358.7 Nelson 351.3 Alma 343.1 Cochrane 333.9 Fountain City 328.2 Winona Junction former Chicago & North Western Ry 325.7 East Winona CN 317.4 Trempealeau 311.2 Lytle 303.1 Sullivan 300.2 North La Crosse 299.9 Grand Crossing CP Tomah Subdivision Aurora Subdivision

v t e BNSF Midway Subdivision Legend to Staples Subdivision 13.9 Northtown Yard 12.4 mi East 35th Avenue 11.7 University Avenue to St. Paul Subdivision 8.9 Rollins Avenue to Wayzata Subdivision 8.4 Union Yard to Minnesota Commercial Railway 7.1 St. Anthony to Minnesota Commercial and Midway station Union Cutoff to St. Paul Subdivision 5.1 Midway Yard 2.2 Jackson Street Saint Paul Union Depot 0.0/1.4 Seventh Street/Westminster to St. Paul Subdivision to Union Pacific Altoona Sub CP Merriam Park Subdivision

v t e BNSF St. Paul Subdivision Legend Midway Subdivision 11.4 mi University Avenue Midway Subdivision 9.8 East Minneapolis 7.9 Park Junction Minnesota Commercial Railway 6.7 Union Junction to Midway Subdivision NP Como Shops (Bandana Square) 2.3 Canadian Pacific/Soo Line St. Paul Sub 1.3 Mississippi Street west to BNSF Midway Sub and east to UP Altoona Sub Westminster 0.0 430.0 Seventh Street 429.7 Division Street 429.1 Hoffman Avenue to CP Merriam Park Sub 428.3 Daytons Bluff 426.7 Oakland 422.2 Newport 410.5 St. Croix to CP River Subdivision to BNSF St. Croix Subdivision

v t e BNSF Staples Subdivision Legend to KO Subdivision 250.2 East Dilworth spur to Felton 248.8 Glyndon 236.1 Witherow 234.4 Hawley 230.6 Manitoba Junction spur 222.0 Lake Park 217.2 Audubon 213.6 Richards Spur Canadian Pacific Railway 210.1 Detroit Lakes Frazee 189.3 Perham 178.5 New York Mills Bluffton former Northern Pacific branch 165.6 Wadena spur former Great Northern 159.0 Verndale Aldrich 150.1 Dower Lake 148.0 Staples 140.2 147.8 to Brainerd Subdivision 134.0 Philbrook 127.8 Lincoln Cushing 116.5 Randall 110.8 Darling spur to Camp Ripley 106.0 Little Falls Mississippi River 103.3 Gregory former Soo Line now Soo Line Trail 95.7 Royalton 88.7 Rice Watab Watab River 78.4 Sartell Sauk Rapids 73.9 St. Cloud and Northern Lines Railway Cable 62.7 Clear Lake 57.5 Becker 47.0 Big Lake 38.6 Elk River Elk River (Metro Transit) Ramsey 26.8 Anoka Coon Rapids–Riverdale to Hinckley Subdivision 21.1 Coon Creek Fridley 15.5 Interstate East Interstate 13.9 Northtown Yard to Midway Subdivision Amtrak Empire Builder Metro Transit Northstar Line This diagram: view talk edit

v t e BNSF Hi-Line Subdivision Legend Milk River Subdivision Havre Big Sandy Subdivision Chester Great Falls Subdivision Shelby Sweet Grass Subdivision Cut Bank Browning East Glacier Park Continental Divide Marias Pass elev. 5,213 ft (1,589 m) Essex Nyack West Glacier Kalispell Subdivision Whitefish Kootenai River Subdivision

v t e BNSF Kootenai River Subdivision Legend Hi-Line Subdivision Whitefish Yard Eureka Branch Flathead Tunnel 36955 ft 11263.9 m Lincoln County Port Authority Railroad Libby Troy Montana Idaho Bonners Ferry UP Spokane Subdivision UP Spokane Subdivision MRL 4th Subdivision UP Spokane Subdivision Spokane Subdivision

v t e BNSF Spokane Subdivision Legend Kootenai River Subdivision UP Spokane Subdivision Sandpoint Athol UP Spokane Subdivision Hauser Yard Coeur d'Alene Subdivision Idaho Washington Kaiser Aluminum Yardley Yard Wallace Subdivision Spokane Lakeside Subdivision Latah Junction Columbia River Subdivision Scribner UP Junction UP Ayer Subdivision Lakeside Subdivision

The Northern Transcon is divided into many subdivisions. From east to west, these include:[16][17]

- [Chicago Subdivision](/source/Chicago_Subdivision) (Chicago, IL to Aurora, IL)

- [Aurora Subdivision](/source/Aurora_Subdivision) (Aurora, IL to La Crosse, WI)

- [St. Croix Subdivision](/source/St._Croix_Subdivision) (La Crosse, WI to St. Croix Jct.)

- Joint [Canadian Pacific](/source/Canadian_Pacific)-BNSF lines (St. Croix Jct. to St. Paul, MN)

- [Midway](/source/Midway_Subdivision)/[St. Paul Subdivisions](/source/St._Paul_Subdivision) (St. Paul, MN to Minneapolis, MN)

- [Staples Subdivision](/source/Staples_Subdivision) (Minneapolis, MN to Dilworth, MN)

- KO Subdivision (Dilworth, MN to Minot, ND)

- Glasgow Subdivision (Minot, ND to Glasgow, MT)

- Milk River Subdivision (Glasgow, MT to Havre, MT)

- [Hi-Line Subdivision](/source/Hi-Line_Subdivision) (Havre, MT to Whitefish, MT)

- Kootenai River Subdivision (Whitefish, MT to Sandpoint, ID)

- [Spokane Subdivision](/source/Spokane_Subdivision) (Sandpoint, ID to Spokane, WA)

To the west of Spokane, WA (at Latah Jct, as of June 1973[18] to the present day[19]), the line splits into two main routes,[19] one using mostly the old [Great Northern Railway](/source/Great_Northern_Railway_(U.S.)) route directly to [Seattle, WA](/source/Seattle%2C_Washington), and the other using mainly the former [Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway](/source/Spokane%2C_Portland_and_Seattle_Railway) route, but also a large section of the former [Northern Pacific Railway](/source/Northern_Pacific_Railway) route, to [Portland, OR](/source/Portland%2C_Oregon) via Pasco and Vancouver, WA; then it travels north to Seattle.

Expedited Transcon traffic is generally routed via the direct Seattle route, and slow bulk-freight traffic is generally routed via the Spokane–Portland–Seattle route (through Vancouver, WA). The Spokane–Portland–Seattle route is mostly water level with a 1.15% maximum grade near [Marshall, Washington](/source/Marshall%2C_Washington). (Note that there is a parallel BNSF-owned route that bypasses the 1.15% grade with a maximum grade of 0.8%; they operate it directionally.) There is a 0.95% maximum grade in the [Napavine, Washington](/source/Napavine%2C_Washington) area.[19] The direct Seattle route traverses the [Cascade Range](/source/Cascade_Range) at the [Cascade Tunnel](/source/Cascade_Tunnel) (Scenic and Berne, Washington); it has 2.2% [ruling grades](/source/Ruling_grade) in the vicinity of the tunnel.[19]

Direct Seattle route:[19]

v t e BNSF Columbia River Subdivision[21] Legend 1481.6 Latah Jct. Jct. Spokane Subdivision 1489.8 Lyons 1495.2 Fairchild Storage Track Washington Eastern Railroad 1499.3 Espanola 1505.1 Waukon 1510.8 Edwall 1514.5 Canby 1520.1 Bluestem Elevator 1520.2 Bluestem 1520.6 1527.8 Harrington 1534.5 Mohler 1538.2 Downs 1541.6 1542.9 Lamona 1553.2 Odessa 1562.1 Irby 1565.6 Gibson 1570.4 Marlin 1577.0 Wilson Creek 1584.8 Stratford 1588.6 Adrian 1697.1 Air Base (spur) 1599.3 Ephrata Ephrata Station Amtrak Empire Builder[20] 1603.8 Naylor 1608.9 Winchester 1615.5 Quincy 1621.5 Tunnel 11.1 1626.6 Trinidad 1635.0 Albus 1637.6 Voltage 1640.1 Rock Island Columbia River 1641.3 Alcoa Spur 1643.3 Malaga 1646.7 Appleyard 1650.2 Wenatchee Columbia Station Amtrak Empire Builder[20] Jct. to Scenic Subdivision

v t e BNSF Scenic Subdivision[23] Legend to Columbia River Subdivision 1650.2 Wenatchee, Columbia Station Amtrak Empire Builder[22] 1652.9 Olds Jct. to Cascade and Columbia River Railroad Monitor 1661.2 Cashmere Dryden 1672.2 Leavenworth, Icicle Station Amtrak Empire Builder Chumstick Tunnel Swede Tunnel Winton Tunnel 1686.9 Winton 1692.4 Merritt Gaynor Tunnel 1698.5 Berne Cascade Tunnel 7.8 mi 12.6 km [23] 1709.5 1720.5 Scenic 1732.3 Skykomish (MOW Yard) 1739.5 Baring 1755.7 Gold Bar (Yard) Sultan 1768.6 Monroe 1775.2 Snohomish Jct. East to former Woodinville Subdivision 1776.2 Snohomish Jct. West to former Woodinville Subdivision 1781.2 Lowell 1782.7 PA Jct. Delta Yard Delta Junction to Bellingham Subdivision 1782.9 Broadway 1783.9 Everett, Everett Station Amtrak Cascades[24], Empire Builder[22] Sound Transit North Sounder[25] Bayside Yard 1784.7 32.1 Everett Jct. 31.4 Howarth Park 28.3 Mukilteo, Mukilteo Station Sound Transit North Sounder[25] 27.8 MP 28 27.1 MP 27 17.8 MP 18 17.6 Edmonds, Edmonds Station Amtrak Cascades[24], Empire Builder[22] Sound Transit North Sounder[25] 15.9 MP 16 7.7 MP 8 7.4 MP 7 6.4 Ballard 6.2 Salmon Bay Bridge crossing Lake Washington Ship Canal 4.9 Interbay (Balmer Yard) 3.3 Galer Street 1.4 North Portal Great Northern Tunnel 5141 ft 1567 m 0.1 South Portal 0.0 Seattle, King Street Station Amtrak Cascades[24], Coast Starlight[26], Empire Builder[22] Sound Transit North Sounder, South Sounder[25] to Seattle Subdivision

- [Columbia River Subdivision](/source/Columbia_River_Subdivision) (Spokane, WA to Wenatchee, WA)

- [Scenic Subdivision](/source/Scenic_Subdivision) (Wenatchee, WA to Seattle, WA)

Portland-Seattle route:[19]

v t e BNSF Seattle Subdivision[33] Legend to Scenic Subdivision 0.0x Seattle (King Street Station) Amtrak Cascades[27], Coast Starlight[28], Empire Builder[29] Sound Transit South Sounder[30] 0.3x King Street 0.4x 0.6x Stadium 1.2x Lander Street 2.1x Spokane Street 2.5x Coach Wye 3.2x Lucile 3.3x Argo 3.6x Bailey 4.2x Georgetown 5.4x Van Asselt 6.3x Rhodes 6.6x Boeing 9.5x Renton Jct. 9.6x South Seattle 10.0x Black River 10.3x CP Tukwila 10.8x Tukwila Amtrak Cascades[27] Sound Transit South Sounder[30] 11.3x Glacier Park 13.3x Orillia 15.7x James Street 16.1x Kent Sound Transit South Sounder[30] 16.9x Willis 21.0x Auburn North 21.5x Auburn Sound Transit South Sounder[30] 21.6x Rainier (Jct. Stampede Subdivision) 21.8x Auburn Yard 23.8x Ellingson 24.0x Pacific 29.0x Sumner Sound Transit South Sounder[30] 29.7x CP Sumner 30.6x Meeker 31.9x Puyallup Sound Transit South Sounder[30] 34.0x Stewart 37.8x Clear Creek 38.2x TR Jct. 38.4x Reservation (Tacoma Main) 38.6x Bay Street 39.0x River Street 39.3x Tacoma Station Amtrak Cascades[27], Coast Starlight[28] Tacoma Dome Station Sound Transit South Sounder[30] Point Defiance Bypass[31] 40.1x 0.0 21st Street 1.4 Davis 3.2 Harbor 5.1 Ruston Ruston Tunnel[32] Nelson Bennett Tunnel[32] 6.6 6.7 Nelson Bennett 10.0 Titlow 13.5 Pioneer 14.4 West Tacoma Point Defiance Bypass[31] 24.5 Nisqually 28.2 Saint Clair 32.2 Centennial Amtrak Cascades[27], Coast Starlight[28] 34.9 East Olympia 37.5 Plumb 43.2 Tenino 49.5 Wabash 52.5 Centralia North 54.0 Centralia Amtrak Cascades[27], Coast Starlight[28] 55.8 Centralia South 57.7 Chehalis 58.7 Chehalis Jct. 66.2 Napavine South 72.0 CP 72 77.0 Vader 85.0 MP 85 93.4 Ostrander Columbia and Cowlitz Railway 95.0 Tunnel 3 95.8 Rocky Point 97.3 Kelso Kelso Station Amtrak Cascades[27], Coast Starlight[28] 98.9 Kelso South 101.1 Longview Jct. 102.6 Longview Jct. S 107.5 Kalama 110.9 MP 111 118.3 Woodland 122.0 Ridgefield 123.6 Ridgefield South 130.7 Felida 132.5 Vancouver Jct. N 133.0 Rye Junction Chelatchie Prairie Railroad 133.5 Fruit Valley 135.1 39th Street Fallbridge Subdivision 136.5 Vancouver Station Amtrak Cascades[27], Coast Starlight[28], Empire Builder[29] Fallbridge Subdivision

- [Lakeside Subdivision](/source/Lakeside_Subdivision) (Spokane, WA to Pasco, WA)

- [Fallbridge Subdivision](/source/Fallbridge_Subdivision) (Pasco, WA to Portland, OR)

- Seattle Subdivision (Seattle, WA to Vancouver, WA)

The former [Northern Pacific Railway](/source/Northern_Pacific_Railway) route via [Stampede Pass](/source/Stampede_Pass) through Pasco and Auburn, WA to Tacoma, WA has had a checkered history. Since 1996 it has been a third route to the coast. As of 2010 it was seldom used but still in service.

Stampede Pass line:[19]

v t e BNSF Yakima Valley Subdivision[34] Legend to Lakeside Subdivision or Fallbridge Subdivision 1.9 SP&S Junction 2.8 Kennewick 7.3 Vista 16.8 Badger 23.6 Kiona 34.4 Gibbon 40.0 Prosser 45.5 Byron 52.0 Mabton 60.4 Satus 70.9 Toppenish 78.3 Wapato 82.7 Parker 90.0 Yakima 93.8 Selah 97.2 Pomona 110.4 Wymer 121.8 Thrall 127.0 Ellensburg to Stampede Subdivision

v t e BNSF Stampede Subdivision[36] Legend to Yakima Valley Subdivision 0.0 Ellensburg 17.1 Bristol 24.9 Cle Elum 36.9 38.1 Easton 41.1 46.3 Martin Stampede Tunnel (1.86 mi [2.99 km] long) 49.0 Stampede Tunnel 4 Green River Trestle[35] 59.7 Lester 81.3 Palmer Jct. Buckley Line 82.3 Kanaskat 88.2 Ravensdale 102.6 Stampede Wye 102.9 Rainier (Auburn) to Seattle Subdivision

- Yakima Valley Subdivision (Pasco, WA to Ellensburg, WA)

- [Stampede Subdivision](/source/Stampede_Subdivision) (Ellensburg, WA to Auburn, WA)

## See also

- [Southern Transcon](/source/Southern_Transcon)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Leading the way in PTC"](https://www.bnsf.com/in-the-community/safety-and-security/positive-train-control/pdf/bnsf-ptc-flyer.pdf) (PDF). *[BNSF Railway](/source/BNSF_Railway)*. March 2018. Retrieved April 11, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Luczak, Marybeth (21 January 2021). ["BNSF announces $US 2.99bn 2021 capital plan"](https://www.railjournal.com/financial/bnsf-announces-us-2-99bn-2021-capital-plan/). International Railway Journal. Retrieved 25 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [The Flathead Tunnel: A Geologic, Operations, and Ground Support Study, Burlington Northern Railroad, Salish Mountains, Montana](https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc170843/m2/1/high_res_d/metadc67154.pdf) (PDF). *[University of North Texas](/source/University_of_North_Texas) Library* (Report). Spokane Mining Research Center. 1974. Retrieved 2 August 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Haskell Pass, Montana"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120425135025/http://www.viking.org/rail/haskell/may02.htm). Viking. May 2002. Archived from [the original](http://www.viking.org/rail/haskell/may02.htm) on 25 April 2012.[*[original research?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:No_original_research)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Empire Builder Timeline"](https://www.gnrhs.org/75th_anniversary.htm). *Great Northern Timeline*. Great Northern Railway Historical Society. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303194156/http://www.gnrhs.org/75th_anniversary.htm) from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2016.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-sanders_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-sanders_6-1) Sanders, Craig (2006). *Amtrak in the Heartland*. Bloomington, Indiana: [Indiana University Press](/source/Indiana_University_Press). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-253-34705-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-253-34705-3).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Edmonson_7-0)** Edmonson, Harold A. (1972). *Journey to Amtrak*. Kalmbach Publishing. pp. 102–104. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0890240236](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0890240236). as mentioned in ["Passenger trains operating on the eve of Amtrak"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210224220507/https://ctr.trains.com/~/media/import/files/pdf/f/7/7/passenger_trains_operating_on_the_eve_of_amtrak.pdf) (PDF). *[Trains](/source/Trains_magazine)*. Archived from [the original](https://ctr.trains.com/~/media/import/files/pdf/f/7/7/passenger_trains_operating_on_the_eve_of_amtrak.pdf) (PDF) on 2021-02-24.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Shuldiner, Herbert (June 1974). ["Take the train to your next campsite?"](https://books.google.com/books?id=iFzpLpXjYdkC). *[Popular Science](/source/Popular_Science)*. Vol. 204, no. 6. p. 111.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Amtrak (October 16, 2009). ["North Coast Hiawatha: Passenger Rail Study"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151019062312/http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/BlobServer?blobcol=urldata&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobkey=id&blobwhere=1249200498076&blobheader=application%2Fpdf&blobheadername1=Content-disposition&blobheadervalue1=attachment;filename=Amtrak_NorthCoastHiawathaServiceStudy.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/BlobServer?blobcol=urldata&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobkey=id&blobwhere=1249200498076&blobheader=application%2Fpdf&blobheadername1=Content-disposition&blobheadervalue1=attachment;filename=Amtrak_NorthCoastHiawathaServiceStudy.pdf) (PDF) on October 19, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-theday19711111_10-0)** ["New Trains to Carry Names of Yesteryear"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1_cgAAAAIBAJ&pg=2144,2610753). *[The Day](/source/The_Day_(New_London))*. November 11, 1971. Retrieved December 18, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Amtrak Nationwide Schedules of Intercity Passenger Service, Effective November 14, 1971"](http://www.timetables.org/full.php?group=19711114&item=0067). *The Museum of Railway Timetables*. p. 66.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Fred W. Frailey, "Minus its backbone, Amtrak makes a tempting target," *[Trains](/source/Trains_(magazine))*, August 2010, p. 18

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Amtrak Service To Continue"](http://www.wdaz.com/event/article/id/9100/). WDAZ. June 15, 2011. Retrieved May 22, 2012.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["ND Leaders Review Strategy to Raise DL Rail Line"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120915185141/http://www.conrad.senate.gov/pressroom/record.cfm?id=336030). February 15, 2012. Archived from [the original](http://www.conrad.senate.gov/pressroom/record.cfm?id=336030&) on September 15, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-gfher0612_15-0)** Bonham, Kevin. ["Railroad raising underway in Devils Lake area"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151019062313/http://www.bakkentoday.com/event/article/id/239112/group/News/publisher_ID/40/). *Grand Forks Herald*. Bakken Today. Archived from [the original](http://www.bakkentoday.com/event/article/id/239112/group/News/publisher_ID/40/) on October 19, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Burlington Northern Transcon"](http://www.donwinter.com/Railroad%20Infrastructure%20and%20Traffic%20Data/Trunk%20Routes/GN%20Transcon/Index.htm). Don Winter.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))[*[original research?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:No_original_research)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** [*BNSF Network Map*](http://www.bnsf.com/bnsf-resources/pdf/ship-with-bnsf/maps-and-shipping-locations/bnsf-network-map.pdf) (PDF) (Map). [BNSF](/source/BNSF). June 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Burlington Northern Inc. Seattle Region Timetable 11

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Timetable2_19-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Timetable2_19-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Timetable2_19-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Timetable2_19-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Timetable2_19-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Timetable2_19-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Timetable2_19-6) BNSF Northwest Division Timetable No. 2

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-EBTT_20-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-EBTT_20-1) ["Empire Builder Timetable"](https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/temporary-timetables/Empire-Builder-Schedule-031620.pdf) (PDF). Amtrak. March 16, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NW#4_21-0)** ["Northwest Division Timetable No. 4"](http://fobnr.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/NORTHWEST-04-061709.pdf) (PDF). *Friends of the Burlington Northern Railroad*. BNSF Railway. June 17, 2009. pp. 13–15. Retrieved November 15, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Empire2_22-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Empire2_22-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Empire2_22-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Empire2_22-3) ["Empire Builder Timetable"](https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/temporary-timetables/Empire-Builder-Schedule-031620.pdf) (PDF). Amtrak. March 16, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Timetable2b_23-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Timetable2b_23-1) ["BNSF Northwest Division Timeable No. 3"](http://fobnr.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/NORTHWEST-03-042606.pdf) (PDF). BNSF Railway. April 26, 2006. Retrieved July 25, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Cascades2_24-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Cascades2_24-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Cascades2_24-2) ["Our Train Schedules"](http://www.amtrakcascades.com/our-train-schedules). *Amtrak Cascades*. Retrieved July 25, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Sounder2_25-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Sounder2_25-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Sounder2_25-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Sounder2_25-3) ["Sounder Train Schedule and Information"](https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/schedule-sounder.pdf) (PDF). *Sound Transit*. April 8, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Starlight2_26-0)** ["Coast Starlight Timetable"](https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/temporary-timetables/Coast-Starlight-Schedule-030220.pdf) (PDF). Amtrak. March 2, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Cascades_27-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Cascades_27-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Cascades_27-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Cascades_27-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Cascades_27-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Cascades_27-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Cascades_27-6) ["Our Train Schedules"](http://www.amtrakcascades.com/our-train-schedules). *Amtrak Cascades*. Retrieved July 25, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Starlight_28-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Starlight_28-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Starlight_28-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Starlight_28-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Starlight_28-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Starlight_28-5) ["Coast Starlight Timetable"](https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/temporary-timetables/Coast-Starlight-Schedule-030220.pdf) (PDF). Amtrak. March 2, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Empire_29-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Empire_29-1) ["Empire Builder Timetable"](https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/temporary-timetables/Empire-Builder-Schedule-031620.pdf) (PDF). Amtrak. March 16, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Sounder_30-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Sounder_30-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Sounder_30-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Sounder_30-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Sounder_30-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Sounder_30-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Sounder_30-6) ["Sounder Train Schedule and Information"](https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/schedule-sounder.pdf) (PDF). *Sound Transit*. April 8, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Bypass_31-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Bypass_31-1) Dunster, Chris; Mattson, Larry (July 15, 2010). ["Point Defiance Bypass Project"](https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2010/07/26/07152010TechTeamSlides.pdf) (PDF). *WSDOT*. Technical Advisory Team. Retrieved July 25, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Tunnel_32-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Tunnel_32-1) Dunster, Chris; Mattson, Larry (July 15, 2010). ["Point Defiance Bypass Project"](https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2010/07/26/07152010TechTeamSlides.pdf) (PDF). *WSDOT*. Technical Advisory Team. p. 10. Retrieved July 25, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Timetable_33-0)** ["BNSF Northwest Division Timeables"](http://fobnr.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/NORTHWEST-03-042606.pdf) (PDF). BNSF Railway. April 26, 2006. Retrieved July 25, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** [BNSF Northwest Division Timetables No.3, p. 69-71](http://fobnr.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/NORTHWEST-03-042606.pdf), 26 April 2006

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Trestle_35-0)** ["BNSF - Green River Trestle"](http://bridgehunter.com/wa/king/bh87770/). *Bridgehunter.com*. Retrieved July 25, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-36)** ["BNSF Northwest Division Timeables"](http://fobnr.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/NORTHWEST-03-042606.pdf) (PDF). BNSF Railway. April 26, 2006. Retrieved July 25, 2020.

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Northern Transcon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Transcon) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Transcon?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.