🔥🚆 On Board the Sounder – Full Ride Experience (Auburn to Tacoma) 🚆Part 2

Описание: This video is from when I was actually riding the Sounder commuter rail from Auburn to Tacoma. Full onboard railfan perspective — real mainline action.

After boarding at Auburn Station, I found a good window seat on the upper level so I could get a clear view of the tracks ahead and beside us. The doors closed with that familiar Sounder chime, and a few seconds later you could feel the locomotive begin to pull.

At first, it’s a slow, steady movement. Then the power builds. You can hear the diesel locomotive up front — that deep rumble — and feel the weight of the train as it starts accelerating down the mainline. This isn’t light rail. This is heavy commuter rail running on BNSF track.

As we cleared the station area, the speed increased. The rails started producing that smooth, continuous rolling sound underneath the car. Every once in a while, you hear the subtle click as we pass over track joints or switches. If you listen carefully in the video, you can hear the slight change in tone when we cross over a turnout.

Outside the window:

• Signal masts lining the mainline
• BNSF freight equipment in sidings
• Grade crossings activating as we approached
• Crossing gates lowering and red lights flashing
• Cars waiting as we passed through

When we approached crossings, you could hear the locomotive horn up front — loud and clear, echoing through the area. Even from inside the passenger car, that horn cuts through everything.

The best part was watching the rail ahead. You can see the polished shine on the top of the rails from constant wheel contact. As we curved slightly along the route toward Tacoma, the train leaned just a bit — you can feel it through your seat. That’s real rail movement.

Midway through the ride, I zoomed in slightly through the window to capture:

🔴 Active railroad crossings
🟢 Trackside signals showing clear aspects
🛤 Parallel freight tracks
🚧 Maintenance-of-way equipment parked nearby

You can also see how smooth the ride is at speed. The Sounder coaches are built for commuter comfort, so even moving fast, the ride feels stable — but you still get that authentic rail vibration through the floor.

As we got closer to Tacoma, you could tell we were beginning to slow. The engine sound changes pitch. The brakes engage gently. The scenery shifts from open trackside views to more urban surroundings.

Then Tacoma Station comes into view. The train reduces speed steadily, rolling in smoothly. You feel the final deceleration, a slight forward motion as we stop. The doors open, and the ride is complete.

This wasn’t just a train ride — this was full mainline commuter rail experience.

Heavy rail.
Real diesel power.
Real BNSF mainline.
Real Sounder action.

Railfanning from onboard gives you a completely different perspective compared to trackside. You experience the acceleration, the vibration, the sound changes, and the flow of the railroad from inside the train itself.

Another solid railfan moment captured. 🚆🔥