:Icicle Station

Icicle Station is located {{convert|1|mi|km|spell=in}} northeast of downtown Leavenworth on North Road. It consists of a single platform on the north side of a double-tracked section of the Scenic Subdivision, owned and operated by BNSF Railway.{{cite web |title=Leavenworth, WA (LWA) |url=http://www.greatamericanstations.com/stations/leavenworth-wa-lwa/ |work=Great American Stations |publisher=Amtrak |access-date=February 26, 2018}}{{cite web |date=June 2017 |title=City of Leavenworth Comprehensive Plan |page=CF9 |url=https://cityofleavenworth.com/col-assets/uploads/2018/03/2017-Comp-Plan-Appendices.pdf |publisher=City of Leavenworth |access-date=January 9, 2020}} The platform is {{convert|600|ft|m}} long and has two small covered shelters, a bicycle rack, and a portable toilet.{{cite news |last=Cantwell |first=Brian J. |date=October 29, 2009 |title=Amtrak to Leavenworth: nice ride to Oompahtown, with a few hiccups |page=D6 |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/amtrak-to-leavenworth-nice-ride-to-oompahtown-with-a-few-hiccups/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=February 26, 2018}} The station has 20 short-term parking spaces and a small cabin with a passenger waiting room.{{cite news |last=Steigmeyer |first=Rick |date=February 6, 2009 |title=Icicle Station on track to open this fall |page=A2 |url=https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/icicle-station-on-track-to-open-this-fall/article_45035285-538e-551f-8c35-e2d613b6e26b.html |work=The Wenatchee World |access-date=January 9, 2020}}{{cite news |date=November 26, 2008 |title=Icicle Station will bring trains and tourists to Leavenworth |url=https://www.djc.com/news/co/12000520.html |work=Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 9, 2020}}

File:Great Northern Railway train station, Leavenworth, ca 1929 (PICKETT 1101).jpg

Leavenworth was founded in 1892, shortly after the Great Northern Railway arrived in the area to begin construction of its route across Stevens Pass towards Seattle, which was completed on January 6, 1893.{{cite news |last=Steigmeyer |first=Rick |date=September 3, 2006 |title=Leavenworth 100: It's the centennial of the town that's gone from boom to bust to a bustling, tourist-filled bit of Bavaria |page=A1 |url=https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/leavenworth-it-s-the-centennial-of-the-town-that-s/article_a3ca3f9c-684b-5529-9472-24a647d582fe.html |work=The Wenatchee World |access-date=January 9, 2020}} The town grew around the railroad, as Great Northern operated mines and lumber mills in the area, until the railroad relocated its train operations in 1926. Great Northern ceased its regular passenger train service to Leavenworth in the mid-1950s, but continued to run special trains from Seattle to serve spectators for the city's annual ski jumping competition.{{cite news |last=Livesley |first=Bud |date=January 28, 1966 |title=Experts Are Away; It's an Off Year |page=25 |work=The Seattle Times}}{{cite news |last=Prochnau |first=Bill |date=February 12, 1960 |title=Ski-Jump Records Due To Fall at Leavenworth |page=16 |work=The Seattle Times}}

A city program in the 1960s promoted the renovation of buildings to fit a Bavarian Alpine theme that successfully began to draw tourists to Leavenworth.{{cite news |last=Green |first=Emily |date=March 11, 2003 |title=A Couple's Defining Moments: To the Pacific Northwest, they gave 'Bavarianization' |page=A1 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-mar-11-na-leavenworth11-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=January 9, 2020}} Annual excursion trains for the Autumn Leaf Festival and holiday festivals began in 1964, which were initially operated by Great Northern and funded by a nonprofit group until private travel agencies took over.{{cite news |date=September 15, 1968 |title=Leavenworth Rail Excursion Is Scheduled |page=D6 |work=The Seattle Times}}{{cite news |last=Morris |first=Maribeth |date=February 26, 1987 |title=In other words, don't give up! |page=C2 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer}} The excursion trains continued for a year under Burlington Northern, the successor to Great Northern, and Amtrak after it took over national passenger rail operations in 1971.{{cite news |last=Moody |first=Dick |date=February 28, 1975 |title=All-day excursions railroaded out |page=A13 |work=The Seattle Times}}{{cite news |last=Lacitis |first=Erik |date=May 14, 1985 |title=Rail rally: It's time to support your local Amtrak |page=E1 |work=The Seattle Times}} The excursion trains were canceled in 1991 because of inadequate facilities and partially replaced by a free shuttle bus from Wenatchee station.{{cite news |last=Bjorhus |first=Jennifer |date=December 28, 1995 |title=Amtrak weighs holiday train |page=B1 |work=The Seattle Times}}{{cite news |date=November 26, 1996 |title=Snow train heads to Leavenworth for the holidays |page=E5 |work=The Seattle Times}}

The regional economic development council and the Port of Chelan County began studying the feasibility of year-round train service to Leavenworth in the early 1990s.{{cite news |date=December 16, 1992 |title=EDC: Train to Leavenworth feasible |page=12 |work=The Wenatchee World}}{{cite news |date=March 17, 1993 |title=Dinner train on track for Leavenworth |page=1 |work=The Wenatchee World}} The two agencies lured an undisclosed company from Utah to run an all-year weekend dinner train service after negotiations with Burlington Northern and Amtrak in 1993, including the construction of a {{convert|300|ft|m|adj=mid}} platform in Leavenworth and a depot to fit the city's Bavarian theme.{{cite news |date=April 21, 1993 |title=Excursion train plan hits snag |page=6 |work=The Wenatchee World}}{{cite news |date=May 5, 1992 |title=Bavarian depot designed |page=6 |work=The Wenatchee World}} Negotiations with Burlington Northern were stalled over scheduling issues and existing freight congestion, but civic boosters in Leavenworth returned with alternate proposals the following year.{{cite news |date=June 18, 1993 |title=Leavenworth train sidetracked |page=6 |work=The Wenatchee World}}{{cite news |date=June 12, 1994 |title=BN interested in Leavenworth |page=7 |work=The Wenatchee World}}

In April 1995, Amtrak announced its interest in adding a Leavenworth stop to the transcontinental Empire Builder if a platform were to be built with local funding.{{cite news |date=April 19, 1995 |title=Amtrak considers Leavenworth stop |page=10 |work=The Wenatchee World}} The port proposed joint funding of the platform with Leavenworth on the condition that Amtrak would commit to adding service once construction was completed.{{cite news |date=October 11, 1995 |title=Amtrak commitment sought for Leavenworth depot plan |page=6 |work=The Wenatchee World}} Amtrak and the port entered into further negotiations with an undisclosed tour operator who would organize potential excursion trains during the holiday season and other festival periods, rather than using the Empire Builder.{{cite news |date=December 21, 1995 |title=Amtrak considers excursion train: Scheduling Leavenworth run would be a tight squeeze |page=1 |work=The Wenatchee World}}{{cite news |date=December 31, 1995 |title='Snow train' report disputed |page=11 |work=The Wenatchee World}} The tour operator, Alki Tours, began running holiday excursion trains in December 1996.{{cite news |date=October 17, 1996 |title=Special train coming to Leavenworth |page=6 |work=The Wenatchee World}}{{cite news |last=Partridge |first=Michelle |date=December 5, 1996 |title=The Christmas train is coming back! |page=A3 |work=The Wenatchee World}} Amtrak, the port, and the local chamber of commerce contributed to funding a new temporary platform on North Road for the excursion train.{{cite news |last=Maher |first=Stephen |date=November 7, 1996 |title=Christmas train gets new stop |page=7 |work=The Wenatchee World}} Alki Tours also chartered a special round-trip train between Seattle and Spokane for the Lilac Festival in 1997, with a stop in Leavenworth.{{cite news |last=Clark |first=Doug |date=May 18, 1997 |title=Parade special attracts railroad fans |page=A1 |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/may/18/parade-special-attracts-railroad-fans/ |work=The Spokesman-Review |access-date=January 9, 2020}}

Following a second market feasibility study in 2002, the Leavenworth city government began campaigning for a permanent all-year stop on the Empire Builder to be located on North Road.{{cite news |last=Partridge |first=Michelle |date=June 9, 2004 |title=Briefly: City Council supports train station idea |page=A3 |work=The Wenatchee World}}{{cite news |last=Altaras |first=Sharon |date=February 11, 2005 |title=Leavenworth seeks its own train station |page=A1 |url=https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/leavenworth-seeks-its-own-train-station/article_44537b7a-61a4-5fe0-97f3-02658b8246f0.html |work=The Wenatchee World |access-date=January 9, 2020}} The proposal earned the support of U.S. Senator Patty Murray and state senator Linda Evans Parlette, and the city government entered into negotiations with Amtrak and BNSF Railway.{{cite news |last=Lacayo |first=Erik |date=July 25, 2005 |title=Push under way to bring Amtrak to Leavenworth |page=C1 |url=https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/business/push-under-way-to-bring-amtrak-to-leavenworth/article_2c89c15c-b548-5d67-88ae-7159e1f9956c.html |work=The Wenatchee World |access-date=January 9, 2020}}{{cite news |last=Altaras |first=Sharon |date=August 25, 2005 |title=Lawmakers back Leavenworth train project |page=A2 |url=https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/lawmakers-back-leavenworth-train-project-parlette-is-a-real-big/article_b14ae2bf-c797-5700-afa5-adb5dfa34329.html |work=The Wenatchee World |access-date=January 9, 2020}} The city was awarded a $75,000 grant from the federal government to initiate design work on the station project, which would be funded by a mix of government grants and private donations.{{cite news |last=Mehaffey |first=K.C. |date=March 16, 2006 |title=Eight NCW projects selected for federal transportation grants |page=A2 |work=The Wenatchee World |url=https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/eight-ncw-projects-selected-for-federal-transportation-grants/article_b6fbc035-1a14-5aeb-9bee-6244e53f4209.html |access-date=January 9, 2020}}

In February 2007, Amtrak and BNSF gave conditional approval for an Empire Builder stop in Leavenworth that would begin after completion of the permanent station, named "Icicle Station".{{cite press release |date=February 8, 2007 |title=Icicle Station project receives critical nods of approval |url=http://www.iciclestation.com/pdf/approval.pdf |publisher=City of Leavenworth |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713002156/http://www.iciclestation.com/pdf/approval.pdf |archive-date=July 13, 2011 |access-date=January 9, 2020}} In the agreement with BNSF, the city government was required to acknowledge that the Empire Builder could move to the Stampede Pass corridor and bypass Leavenworth entirely.{{cite news |last=Mehaffey |first=K.C. |date=February 9, 2007 |title=Train service to Leavenworth on track: Amtrak, railroad give green light, but conditions raise concerns |page=A1 |url=https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/train-service-to-leavenworth-on-track-amtrak-railroad-give-green/article_3c9809da-913c-506c-85fd-011cdaded6b5.html |work=The Wenatchee World |access-date=January 9, 2020}} The $750,000 project received $250,000 from the state government and $300,000 from the federal government's development funds, in addition to $200,000 raised by the city government.{{cite news |date=December 26, 2007 |title=Murray makes NCW projects a priority in spending bill |url=https://www.leavenworthecho.com/murray-makes-ncw-projects-priority-spending-bill |work=Leavenworth Echo |access-date=January 9, 2020}}

The station was designed by HNTB and split into two project phases, to be built on a former BNSF staging area. The first phase would construct a platform, two shelters, and a parking lot. The second phase would include a larger, Bavarian-style shelter, additional parking stalls, and a longer platform. In May 2008, the first phase's estimated cost was revised to $850,000, with the shortfall planned to covered by private donations in a funding campaign launched by the city mayor.{{cite news |last=Dunn |first=Ian |date=May 27, 2008 |title=Full steam ahead for Icicle Station |url=https://www.leavenworthecho.com/full-steam-ahead-icicle-station |work=Leavenworth Echo |access-date=January 9, 2020}} The planned opening date of November 2008 was also delayed to September 2009.{{cite news |last=Patrick |first=Jay |date=June 4, 2008 |title=Leavenworth train stop delayed |page=A1 |url=https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/leavenworth-train-stop-delayed/article_06525a25-b446-5d07-960b-7d154f65bfc3.html |work=The Wenatchee World }} By the end of the year, the city government had raised an additional $175,000 to cover the construction of the first phase.{{cite news |last=Dunn |first=Ian |date=November 4, 2008 |title=Train station project steaming forward |url=https://www.leavenworthecho.com/train-station-project-steaming-forward |work=Leavenworth Echo |access-date=January 9, 2020}}

Construction of Icicle Station began in late June 2009 shortly after the bid was awarded to a Wenatchee firm.{{cite news |last=Steigmeyer |first=Rick |date=June 24, 2009 |title=Leavenworth train depot chugs along |page=A2 |url=https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/leavenworth-train-depot-chugs-along/article_aee97474-6346-51c2-bc94-651e0cae4125.html |work=The Wenatchee World |access-date=January 9, 2020}} The first half of the platform was completed in July and the second half was poured in early August.{{cite web |title=Project Updates |url=http://www.iciclestation.com/project-updates.shtml |work=Icicle Station Project |publisher=City of Leavenworth |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713001919/http://www.iciclestation.com/project-updates.shtml |archive-date=July 13, 2011 |access-date=January 9, 2020}} Icicle Station was opened on September 25, 2009, with a crowd of 200 people attending a dedication ceremony upon the arrival of the first eastbound train from Seattle.{{cite news |last=Pratt |first=Christine |date=September 26, 2009 |title=The little town that could: Leavenworth's got a train |url=https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/the-little-town-that-could-leavenworth-s-got-a-train/article_a848dfb4-cd92-54d0-80b6-558f1a5996f5.html |work=The Wenatchee World |access-date=January 9, 2020}}{{cite news |date=September 30, 2009 |title=Icicle Station is now open |url=http://www.leavenworthecho.com/icicle-station-now-open-0 |work=Leavenworth Echo |access-date=January 9, 2020}} The new station served 4,461 passengers in its first four months of service, exceeding ridership estimates set by Amtrak.{{cite news |last=Irwin |first=Mike |date=March 24, 2010 |title=Train riders, commuters all aboard to Leavenworth |url=https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/train-riders-commuters-all-aboard-to-leavenworth/article_3517b713-d699-5ceb-aacb-cc5a4e8c39ab.html |work=The Wenatchee World |access-date=January 9, 2020}} In January 2013, a small cabin was installed in the station's parking lot to act as a warming shelter for passengers.{{cite news |last=Dunn |first=Ian |date=October 24, 2012 |title=City Council moves forward to purchase temporary building for Icicle Station |url=https://www.leavenworthecho.com/city-council-moves-forward-purchase-temporary-building-icicle-station |work=Leavenworth Echo |access-date=January 9, 2020}}{{cite news |last=Dunn |first=Ian |date=January 2, 2013 |title=New Leavenworth city ordinance requires sidewalks be cleared of snow |url=https://www.leavenworthecho.com/new-leavenworth-city-ordinance-requires-sidewalks-be-cleared-snow |work=Leavenworth Echo |access-date=January 9, 2020}} The second phase of the station project remains partially funded, with $900,000 allocated by the federal government in 2010.{{cite news |date=August 18, 2010 |title=Station's second phase awarded $900,000 |url=https://www.leavenworthecho.com/stations-second-phase-awarded-900000 |work=Leavenworth Echo |access-date=January 9, 2020}}

Icicle Station is served by two daily Amtrak trains on the Empire Builder, a transcontinental route connecting to Seattle, Spokane, and Chicago. The next stops on the Empire Builder are Everett to the west and Wenatchee to the east.{{cite web |date=December 2019 |title=2019 Washington State Rail System Plan |page=19 |url=https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2019/12/31/draft-state-rail-plan-2019.pdf |publisher=Washington State Department of Transportation |access-date=January 9, 2020 |archive-date=January 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104063515/https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2019/12/31/draft-state-rail-plan-2019.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |date=April 29, 2018 |title=Empire Builder Schedule |url=https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/timetables/Empire-Builder-Schedule-042918.pdf |publisher=Amtrak |access-date=January 9, 2020}} During Saturdays in December, Alki Tours has offered daytime excursion trains between Seattle and Leavenworth using chartered Amtrak trains.{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Andrea |date=November 21, 2013 |title=Leavenworth lights up Christmas with Old World style |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/life/leavenworth-lights-up-christmas-with-old-world-style/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=January 9, 2020}}{{cite web |title=Alki Tours' Leavenworth Snow Train |url=https://leavenworthsnowtrain.net/wp-content/uploads/Seattle-Dec-2nd-Documents.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001214451/https://leavenworthsnowtrain.net/wp-content/uploads/Seattle-Dec-2nd-Documents.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 1, 2021 |publisher=Alki Tours |access-date=January 9, 2020 }}

The station has no direct bus service, with Northwestern Trailways and Amtrak Thruway using a separate facility in Leavenworth on U.S. Route 2.{{cite web |title=Icicle Train Station |url=http://www.leavenworthshuttle.com/Train-Station.html |publisher=Leavenworth Shuttle & Taxi |access-date=January 9, 2020 |archive-date=December 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230033240/http://www.leavenworthshuttle.com/Train-Station.html |url-status=dead }} Link Transit, the local transit operator serving Leavenworth, does not operate buses that reach the station.{{cite news |last=Dunn |first=Ian |date=May 27, 2008 |title=LINK considers fewer trolley stops in Leavenworth |url=https://www.leavenworthecho.com/link-considers-fewer-trolley-stops-leavenworth |work=Leavenworth Echo |access-date=January 9, 2020}}{{cite web |title=Leavenworth DART Service |url=http://www.linktransit.com/services_and_programs/dart_services.php |publisher=Link Transit |access-date=January 9, 2020}} A private company, Leavenworth Shuttle & Taxi, operates fixed-rate taxi service between Icicle Station and other areas of Leavenworth.{{cite news |date=February 17, 2010 |title=City council discusses train station issues |url=https://www.leavenworthecho.com/city-council-discusses-train-station-issues |work=Leavenworth Echo |access-date=January 9, 2020}}

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{{Amtrak web|LWA|Leavenworth, WA}}

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Category:2009 establishments in Washington (state)

Category:Amtrak stations in Washington (state)

Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 2009

Category:Transportation buildings and structures in Chelan County, Washington