Three trains at Tukwila Station, 8-7-2012

I hung out at the Tukwila Amtrak/Sounder station for a couple of hours and managed to catch three interesting trains. Tukwila is about 12 miles south of Seattle. This "station" is just two temporary platforms being used until a proper station is built.
First up was BNSF 4655 (C44-9W) leading a northbound MOW (Maintenance Of Way) train on Main 2. This train is made up of all the specialized machines used to by the MOW crews to maintain and build the right of way. These machines lay ties, drive spikes, tamp ballast, etc. Some of the smaller machines are transported on flat cars, the larger ones are coupled together like regular train cars.
Next up, a southbound Amtrak Cascades train rolled into the station and stopped to load and unload passengers. Motive power was provided by AMTK 470 (F59PHI). The loco was wrapped in "King Tut" livery advertising a King Tut exhibit in Seattle.
The Amtrak train waited at the station for a northbound train to pass. This train turned out to be a rail train on Main 1.
A rail train transports long lengths of rail. Flat cars are equipped with a rack on each end. Sections of rail are slid through the racks and secured. The rail bends as the train goes through curves. With 26 cars, lengths of rails of around 1300 feet long can be transported. Obviously, this train is carrying rail to be used by the preceding MOW train somewhere down the line.
Once the rail train cleared, the Amtrak departed the station.
4655 / C44-9W
AMTK 90340 / 470
NPCU / F59PHI
5353 / 4025
C44-9W / C44-9W

[@MikeSnow9]

An interesting two hours Todd...Liked that MoW train......Mike

[@ngreed]

Nice video!

[@ShoresRailfan]

Loved the King Tut wrap on the Cascades.

[@Amtrak116]

Great catches!

[@bacon525]

Great video!

[@washingtonnorthern]

Great set of trains!

[@BrenardoSanchez]

I hope they made it...