Highlights of Washington’s passenger rail network program over the last five years include:

• Significant increase in ridership in 2024 compared to 2023: A record-breaking 40% increase in riders on Amtrak Cascades; an 11% increase on the Empire Builder; a 12.5% increase on Sounder trains; and a 6% increase on Coast Starlight.
• Five federal grants awarded between 2020 and 2024 for capital improvements along the BNSF corridor in western Washington to reduce landslide risk, rehabilitate bridge structures and make track and switch improvements.

BNSF Railway is the major Class I railroad in the state, with Union Pacific also operating some rail lines. Over the last 15 years, WSDOT and BNSF have developed a collaborative relationship leading to more than $920 million in capital investments to improve the network.

Washington’s 27 short-line railroads also play an important role in transporting goods. The state’s largest short-line railroad system, the PCC Railway, is owned by WSDOT and operates in eastern Washington. It primarily moves agriculture products to national and international markets. WSDOT also provides grants and loans to short-line railroads to help fund improvements.

By 2050, the freight rail system is projected to haul 36% to 45% more tonnage, while 1.5 to 3 times as many passenger trains use some routes over today.

With continued growth in Washington State, the expected rail traffic will exceed our estimated capacity of the current network in several locations. However, there are a number of things that affect capacity such as available infrastructure, operating strategies, traffic, the use of technology, and business decisions. Privately-owned railroads manage their operations and capital investments to meet changes in traffic volumes on their systems.

Increasing passenger rail service could create constraints on parts of the statewide rail network.

Strategy: Include projects that will address capacity issues for freight and passenger service.

Image descriptions: Under low growth and high growth scenarios, the result is similar; Washington’s rail network becomes more crowded. Here, two maps show BNSF’s primary network would be at capacity (81%+) for all scenarios. BNSF’s I-5 corridor and Columbia River routes are projected to operate at well over 100% capacity (shown in red).

Reliable operating performance is key to growing and sustaining ridership.

Strategy: Explore a plan that offers predictable and intuitive operations, allowing for increased train frequency over time. In partnership with rail owners, this could take the form of an integrated operating plan.

Strategy: Increase multimodal access to the rail network through improved and expanded bus and transit service connections.

Strategy: Improve on-time performance.

Strategy: Improve bike/pedestrian connections to stations.

Image description: Annual Amtrak Cascades on-time performance has ranged between 42% and 57% in the last five years. On the bar graph, Seattle-Vancouver, BC service is shown in dark green, and Seattle-Portland service is shown in light green. On-time arrival is defined as no more than 10 minutes after the scheduled time. Service was suspended between Seattle and Vancouver, BC from Q2 2020 to Q3 2024, and not shown.

Train-involved injuries and fatalities have been rising; over 70% of all high-risk crossings are located within overburdened communities.

Strategy: Include proposed projects that address safety, including grade separations between railroad tracks and roads.

Image description: Map shows areas where overburdened populations exist across Washington State (gray hashed areas), as well as where high-risk crossings occur.104 out of 147 total high-risk crossings in Washington State are located in overburdened communities.

Under all growth assumptions, demand will exceed capacity over much of the primary freight rail network without critical investments. BNSF’s primary network is estimated to be at capacity (81%+) for all scenarios. Exceptions are Pasco-Ellensburg-Auburn (Stampede Pass), and Ellinson to Tukwila. BNSF’s I-5 corridor, Columbia River and Stevens Pass routes are projected to operate at well over 100% capacity. Union Pacific is below capacity on all of its primary routes.

Strategy: Include proposed projects that address freight movement specifically.

Strategy: Coordinate closely with host railroads on upcoming passenger service needs and integrated operations.

Image description: Bar graph shows that by 2050, the rail freight forecast shows that the network is projected to haul 36 to 45 percent more tonnage than in 2023.

Source: S&P Q3 2025 macroeconomic forecast, STB Confidential Waybill Sample.

Rail infrastructure contributes to, and is subject to climate change. In coastal settings, the network is exposed, while eastern routes have increasing exposure to rain and wildfire (i.e. landslides, wildfires, floods). 

Strategy: Include proposed projects that can address resiliency opportunities.

Image description: Two Washington State maps show exposures in the eastern part of the state that may affect the rail network. For eastern Washington, this includes wildfire exposure, and increased precipitation and potential flood events. One example station area with wildfire exposure is Leavenworth, WA. Pasco and Wenatchee have exposure to precipitation.

Image description: One map of Washington State shows areas of western Washington with rail lines that could be affected by a 3-foot sea level rise. Bellingham, Everett and Edmonds station areas are exposed.