Cascade Tunnel First Train

July 21, 1911, saw the inaugural train traverse the Great Northern Railway's Cascade Tunnel near Stevens Pass, Washington, a 2.6-mile engineering marvel bored through solid granite. Overcoming avalanches and steep grades that plagued earlier switchback routes, the tunnel used electric locomotives initially to combat ventilation issues from steam exhaust. Engineer John F. Stevens oversaw the project, which slashed transit times between Seattle and Spokane. This innovation supported booming lumber and mining traffic while enhancing safety. The tunnel's success influenced later double-track upgrades and the famous 1929 replacement tunnel. Its legacy endures in modern BNSF operations and as a testament to early 20th-century tunneling prowess.