What secrets do eighty acres hold? Here at Balmer Yard, the answer unfolds in a symphony of steel and motion. Balmer Yard isn’t just a rail yard. It’s a vital organ in Seattle’s Interbay neighborhood, pumping goods and resources throughout the region. Owned by BNSF Railway, this sprawling giant was originally known as Interbay Yard, built by the Great Northern Railway. In the late 1960s, the yard underwent a significant modernization. This included the addition of a sixteen-track hump, a clever system that uses gravity to sort rail cars. Though the hump is no longer in use, it stands as a testament to the yard’s innovative past. The yard was renamed Balmer Yard in honor of Thomas Balmer, a former vice president of Great Northern Railway. Imagine the sheer scale of this operation. Over eighty acres, forty-one parallel tracks stretch, a steel web designed for the intricate dance of switching cars. Balmer Yard is a testament to the power of logistics, a place where tons of goods are sorted and sent on their way. While the nearby engine servicing area still carries the name Interbay, Balmer Yard stands as its own entity, a humming hub of activity. Next time you see a BNSF train rolling through Seattle, remember Balmer Yard. It’s a hidden world of logistics, a vital part of the city’s infrastructure, and a place where the history of rail transport comes alive.
Queen Anne Boulevard
“A scenic loop,” they called it. Queen Anne Boulevard gracefully winds around the crest of Queen Anne Hill. It offers