Spirit of Washington Startup, 1992

[Steven J Brown]

Photo series documenting the Spirit of Washington Dinner train's move to Western, WA and the inaugural runs.

The train was originally based on the Washington Central and did runs out of Yakima. It was decided to move to Seattle since there was a much larger customer base. The Stampede Pass line wasn't in service, so they had to run via the Columbia River.

Spirit of Washington Dinner Train equipment move from Yakima to Renton, prior to the start of service on the Woodinville Sub, approaching Wishram, Washington - April 26, 1992.

Spirit of Washington Dinner Train equipment move from Yakima to Renton, prior to the start of service on the Woodinville Sub, along the Columbia River at Roosevelt, Washington - April 26, 1992.

 

[Steven J Brown]

Now that the train has reached Renton, the inaugural trips began.

Waiting to board the pre-inaugural trip for the press of the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train in Renton, Washington - April 29, 1992. — at Spirit of Washington Dinner Train.

Spirit of Washington Dinner Train with ex-NP GP9's along Lake Washington in Kennydale, Washington - May 2, 1992. This was a pre-inaugural political fund raising trip. The train started regular service the following day. — at Kennydale Beach.

Washington Central GP9 302 (built 1957 as NP 316 became Columbia Basin 302) pulling the Spirit Of Washington Dinner Train's first revenue run at Ripley Way in Renton, Washington - May 3, 1992. — in Renton, Washington.

Washington Central GP9 302 (built 1957 as NP 316 became Columbia Basin 302) pulling the Spirit Of Washington Dinner Train's first revenue run at Woodinville, Washington - May 3, 1992

The Spirit of Washington Dinner Train with ex-NP GP9's cross the Wilburton Trestle in Bellevue, Washington - July 1993. The following month, the Geeps will be replaced on the train by F7's. — at Wilburton Trestle.

Spirit of Washington Dinner Train at sunset with balloons landing and Mt Rainier as a backdrop in Kirkland, Washington - September 1993. These F7's are ex-Bessemer and Lake Erie. They now reside on the Carrizo Gorge Railway. — in Kirkland, Washington.

 

[Bill Anderson]

Nearly 30 years ago. How time flies.

 

[Bob]

I know, right? Been a while since it ended too. Can't recall when the short lived Tacoma version was but it sure didn't last. Apparently stopping next to some random lake doesn't have the same charm as a winery, LOL! Though I seem to recall they dropped the Winery stop at one point?

I recall riding it one time with some train pals, and we wanted to ride around the wye in Woodinville. They'd drop folks off, go turn the train and then pick them up. So you'd miss a small section of the trip. Being train geeks, we said "Nah, we'll stay on..." They just about begged us to get off "No, we're good!" Pretty sure they wanted a break from taking care of passenger, LOL. But we made it easy on them.