Waiting for the Interurban

Lonely Planet review

Seattle's most popular piece of public art, this lively sculpture in recycled aluminum depicts people waiting for a train that never comes. The train that once passed through Fremont stopped running in the 1930s, and the people of Seattle have been waiting for a new train - the Interurban - ever since. Finally, in 2001, Sound Transit trains started once again to connect Seattle with Everett, much like the original train did.

The sculpture is prone to regular 'art attacks,' where locals lovingly decorate the people in outfits corresponding to a special event, the weather, someone's birthday, a Mariners win - whatever. Rarely do you see the sculpture 'undressed.' Take a look at the human-faced dog peeking out between the legs of the people. That face belongs to Armen Stepanian, one of the founders of today's Fremont and its excellent recycling system. Sculptor Richard Beyer and Stepanian had a disagreement about the design of the piece, which resulted in Beyer's spiteful yet humorous design of the dog's face.