Hi, I am looking for architectural plans for Seattle's Union Station for model building. Bruce Weilepp
Bruce- Welcome to TrainBoard! Although the Milw was 50% tenant, that station was built by the UP. I wonder if someone at UPHS might have a suggestion where to try? Do they have any archives in Omaha? Also, you could try the Seattle building department, tax assessor, etc. Someone in town might have an older copy. Let us know what you find! Boxcab E50
Ken, Thanks. UPHS does have collections in Omaha, so that is my next stop. I was kind of hopeing someone had digitized the plans as part of recent rennovations. Bi-Polar Bruce ps: As a correction to the above, it was the Union Pacific Museum in Omaha where I found archival collections previously, not the UPHS. BTW
Bruce- I know the plans exist. I have seen them. But I am embarrassed to say I cannot for the life of me recall where. :embarassed: Seems as though it was someone in the Seattle area. However, it's been a few long years. :sad: Boxcab E50
Thank you everyone for the warm welcome. I had a call back today from Andrea, librarian at Sound Transit, the current owner of Seattle's Union Station. On my behalf she is looking for either new or old plans for the station. Andrea only works part time, so it might be a little while for a response. Bi-Polar Bruce
Boxcab 50, et al, The Sound Transit librarian says she has found plans for Seattle's Union Station, but I have to file a Freedom of Information Act (FIA) request to see them. The kicker is that I can't have copies of their drawings under any circumstance (national security, need to know). So, the search continues. I have ordered a book on the history of Union Station through interlibrary loan (no need to know, but the FBI can look at my library record anytime they want to without my knowing). As always, your suggestions and assistance are very much appreciated. more and more Bi-Polar Bruce
And yet someone a while ago had plans for Tacoma's Union Station for sale on E-Bay, its now a federal Court House! Have you tried the Milwaukee Road Historal socity (sp)?
MRHA wouldn't have any plans for US. But the Milwaukee Public Library- Milwaukee Road Collection would be a good possibility. Boxcab E50
The Book by Charles R. Woods MILWAUKEE ROAD WEST ( out of print) has a photo of the inside of Seattle Union Station someone might have a copy you could look at
Boxcab and NP, Thanks for the suggestions. I will try the Milwaukee Public Library. I think the problem at Sound Transit is that they are a public agency. The CYA syndrome is particularly strong in the public sector. I was also thinking that modern format drawings might be easier to get. It may be that original blueprints, although less user friendly, would be easier to obtain. The National Archives makes copies of their ship plans available through licensed contractors. "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." Robert Frost Bi-Polar Bruce
Boxcab, Yes, Kirk and I have had exchanged several messages. He is moving, and can't immediately locate his Union Station plans, but was otherwise very encouraging. He got his set of plans, at some expense I gather, from the UP's real estate division some years ago. After considering my options I went ahead and sent in the request to Sound Transit's legal department. The librarian has not seen the plans yet, but thinks they might be from the most recent remodel. Tomorrow I am off to Kent WA for the annual Milwaukee meet at the Boeing Employee's Recreation Center. It's a long jaunt (100+ miles one way) but the only time each year I can count on seeing my Milwest and MRHA friends. They told me you helped start this little tradition. Bi-Polar Bruce
Bruce- The meeting was started by Don Dietrich. That first gathering was the last Saturday of March, 1981. After Don passed away, November of 1985, I did 1986, 1987. Then passed the baton... Hope Kirk can find his plans! Boxcab E50
Boxcab, I just got back from the Milwaukee meet in Kent. Nice turn out. The usual eastside MilWest visitors. Dave Sprau, Warren Wing, and Doug Nighswonger were noshows. Had a nice chat with Noel Holley. No one seems to have heard of TrainBoard yet. No leads on Union Station plans. Bi-Polar Bruce
I'm not sure what his health is these days. Warren might be a no show due to that. He's up there in years. Dave lives in Oregon. Keeps busy. I just had contact from him this week. Doug, last I'd heard, might be switching his modeling theme to another RR. I wonder if he's still involved with doing the books? That had turned into somewhat of an unhappy mess. Boxcab E50
Boxcab, et al, Stan Johnson was also at the Kent meet. His new book on the Milwaukee's Western Extension is out. Rocky was selling them for the publisher, Museum of North Idaho. As always, the text is the best part of Stan's books. The photo reproduction was better than his Olympian book, although still not as good as they probably could be. I will report again when I have finished reading the book. Stan says he has an idea for one more short book, but let's see how that developes. Stan is a doer, so I am confident we will see more from him. Speaking of books, I am trying to keep track of the Pacific Coast RR book project Warren started. Last I heard the research files were in in Kurt Armbruster's (author, Orphan Road: The Railroad comes to Seattle) hands. Rumor has it that most of Warren's photo collection went to Walt Ainsworth, however, and getting the two parts back together for the book may be difficult. Sure would like to see this project get done. Bi-Polar Bruce
