(The following story by Jefferson Robbins appeared on The Wenatchee World website on September 19, 2009.)
LEAVENWORTH — For decades, you could see Leavenworth pass by from your Amtrak windows, but forget about stepping off the train.
No more. On Friday Amtrak’s Empire Builder chuffs into the new $1.4 million Icicle Station, just outside the Bavarian-themed vacation town, to deposit its first load of eastbound passengers. As far as most can recall, it’s been 50 years since Leavenworth — then a declining mill town — had regular train service, said Mayor Rob Eaton.
“I have a few friends trying to do the research, but it’s been quite some time,” said Eaton, who’s championed the new train stop since his early years as a city councilman. “We had a station up there as late as 1949, ’50, but I can’t pinpoint the last service date.”
The station along North Road (itself still under construction) was financed by partners including the city, Chelan County, the Port of Chelan County and state and federal funding sources. It’s been a six-year project, occasionally delayed — but when the first passengers arrive about 8:12 p.m. Friday, they’ll be met by music, a dance troupe and dignitaries, including state Sen. Linda Evans Parlette, Chelan County Commissioner Keith Goehner and Port of Chelan Commissioner JC Baldwin.
After the Friday stop, the train begins daily westbound stops in Leavenworth on Saturday, at 6:15 a.m., and eastbound stops each night.
Leavenworth city officials, chamber of commerce representatives and others plan to travel to Seattle’s King Street Station on Friday morning, where they’ll greet passengers and distribute Leavenworth tourism information — some while wearing traditional Bavarian garb, or “trachten.” Representatives from U.S. Sen. Patty Murray’s office will aid in the sendoff.
The group will return via the Empire Builder, departing Seattle at 4:45 p.m., to reach the Icicle Station reception. There, Eaton and Parlette will cut the ribbon inaugurating the station.
The new station structure — a 600-foot platform with an 8-foot-by-15-foot enclosed, heated shelter — is just part of the first phase of construction. Parking, lighting and landscaping will follow, with phase two involving a larger, semi-enclosed passenger shelter. The station won’t be manned by Amtrak personnel. Leavenworth continues to campaign for public funds and private donations for the project.
Heavy construction on North Road is not expected to impair Friday’s ceremonies. A single lane of traffic will open on Monday for North Road residents and station users.
As of Friday, reservations to and from Leavenworth could not be booked on Amtrak’s Web site. Amtrak spokeswoman Vernae Graham said Leavenworth bookings should be available online by week’s end.