Dunn and Patterson Work to Save the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train

On Monday, Metropolitan King County Councilmembers Reagan Dunn and Julia Patterson introduced legislation in support of the continued operation of the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train as the Council considers alternative uses for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line. “The dinner train is a very important pillar of the community – both cultural and economic,” said Dunn. “We need to do whatever possible to preserve it. This motion makes it clear that the Dinner Train should remain operating as an important business in King County.” “We are faced with an exciting opportunity to acquire the BNSF corridor into public ownership,” said Councilmember Patterson. “I support a rails with trails plan that ensures that current users of the rail line, like the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train, can continue their operations and continue to contribute to King County’s economy.” The legislation outlines many of the benefits of the dinner train and requests that the economic importance of the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train be taken into consideration when the County decides further uses of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line. The motion was proposed as the King County Council today approved a plan to review the purchase of a 47-mile segment of the BNSF rail line for future use as a transportation corridor.