Amtrak to build new locomotive shop in Seattle

Amtrak will build a $28 million locomotive service facility in Seattle, the railroad announced yesterday.

The announcement marks the third major investment in the Seattle facility that provides services for the Empire Builder and Coach Starlight long-distance trains, Amtrak Cascades-supported corridor service, and maintenance for Sound Transit and Sounder trains, Amtrak officials said in a press release.

The project will entail demolition of the site's existing buildings, utilities, track and other structures, as well as construction of a 31,000-square-foot locomotive shop.

Existing track will be reconfigured to allow access to the new facility, which will be equipped with a new 125-ton drop table and a 55-ton overhead bridge crane. The Washington State Department of Transportation will fund the drop table.

PCL Construction Services will begin the work this month on the facility and complete the project in June 2019, Amtrak officials said.

PCL has built other structures for Amtrak in Seattle.