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The FRA has finally given the go-ahead to the Point Defiance Bypass project. Sounder trains are already using the Tacoma to Lakewood section of the corridor, but design work and construction are still needed on the rest of the corridor, so Cascades trains won't be moving inland until 2017. Two more daily roundtrips will be available once the project is complete and the Tacoma Amtrak station will move to Freighthouse Square.
Posts: 831 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2011
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I think the most needed change would be a train from Portland to Eugene which would get in at a reasonable hour. The earliest train, from PDX to EUG, now gets in at 8:50 PM.
I wonder about WSDOT's plan for a high-speed train from Eugene to Vancouver, BC and back. It would take about 6 hours. I don't expect that to happen but it would be nice if it did.
What about a through train, both Northbound and Southbound, from Eugene to Vancouver, BC with the present Cascades? They could extend 513, southbound from Vancouver, all the way to Eugene. It would probably arrive around 5:30 PM or 6:00 PM in Eugene. Likewise, train 504 now leaves Eugene at 9:00 AM. If they extended it to Vancouver, it could get in by early evening.
Looking at the Cascades schedule, I don't see a real need for 507, Southbound, or 516, Northbound. Both could be deleted, in my opinion.
It will be interesting to see the new schedules. I would be satisfied if the only change would be in the PDX to EUG timetable.
Richard
Posts: 1933 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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Construction and rehabilitation work is ramping up on the Seattle to Portland corridor and trains are going to be delayed by the work. New schedules have been published that add up to 25 minutes to the previous schedules to allow for delays caused by the work.
Posts: 831 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2011
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The new Oregon Talgos are on their way to Seattle. I don't know what route they are taking, but I would expect to see this them weekend.
Posts: 831 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2011
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I've been told by several sources that the new trainsets are basically going to allow Amtrak to operate more trains between Seattle and Portland. So it seems that these Oregon trainsets were purchased largely to preserve existing service south of Portland to Eugene. I'd love to see better train schedules on the Portland to Eugene segment, and even an additional frequency, but I don't think that is in the cards. Moreover, I've also heard that the Portland to Seattle corridor will be hitting its limit with the number of trains BNSF will allow. So for example, if Oregon and Washington were to buy the Wisconsin Talgos, I am not sure they could continue to augment Amtrak Cascade Service.
One suggestion was to run either a daylight train to/from Portland and an eastern point somewhere on the Oregon side of the Columbia River, or run a daylight train to/from Seattle and Spokane (opposite the Empire Builder).
I was surprised about the suggestion to run on the Oregon side of the Columbia River, but this actually came from a UP engineer who was on the Coast Starlight.....
Posts: 337 | Registered: Jun 2003
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Amtrak will be adding one daily roundtrip between Seattle and Bellingham to help travelers deal with the I-5 Skagit River Bridge collapse. WSDOT, Amtrak and BNSF are still working on the details, but there will be an extra morning departure from Seattle to Bellingham and a return trip in the evening. I guess that Oregon Talgo trainset will be pressed into immediate service.
Posts: 831 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2011
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Amtrak's website is showing the 3rd northline trip, starting tomorrow, May 31st and operating until the Skagit River Bridge is fixed. The new train trip leaves Seattle at 815am and arrives Bellingham 1055am. The southbound trip leaves Bellingham at 515pm and arrives in Seattle at 755pm. These trips will be using Sound Transit Bombardier BiLevel coaches.
Posts: 831 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2011
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Work has started on the new Tukwila Station which will replace the wooden platforms that have served as the temporary Tukwila Amtrak/Sound Transit station since 2000. (And you thought the King Street Station remodel took forever.)
quote: The new facility, with a total budget of $46 million, will include two 600-foot-long platforms, two new passenger shelters, improvements to the underpass connecting the two platforms, and a bus transit area supporting better access to King County Metro Transit services, including the future Rapid Ride F line. Parking for transit users will nearly double from 208 to 390 stalls, and a plaza, improved walkways and lighting will offer better pedestrian access to the station. The facility will also house four electrical charging stations, and bicycle storage will increase from 27 to 76 spaces
This station won't be as grand as the KSS project--2 platforms, 2 shelters and a bigger parking area--but it will be a huge improvement over the existing facility. The City of Tukwila is also planning to rezone and rebuild the area around the station with more of a transit-oriented-development focus. Currently, the city of Tukwila is home to big box stores, the largest shopping mall in south King County, numerous mid-range motels, fast food and all the auto traffic that those businesses generate. So Tukwila's plan to develop a densely populated, pedestrian friendly community within walking distance of the train station represents a huge shift in civic priorities. The area around the new station could be quite nice if the redevelopment plans are carried out--the Green River with a bike trail is close by and there are 2 ponds within walking distance of the station.
Posts: 831 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2011
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Work has finally begun on 2 projects designed to prevent mudslides on the BNSF tracks near Everett. Both projects should be complete by October, which should reduce the number of Amtrak and Sounder cancellations this winter. Four more projects will be started next year, so cross your fingers for better winter travel on the line north of Seattle.
Posts: 831 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2011
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Hello rail fans! The Oregon Department of Transportation and our partners invite you and your family to celebrate Oregon's new Talgo trains, soon to join the Amtrak Cascades fleet operating from Vancouver, B.C. to Eugene.
WHEN: Sat. Oct, 19, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
WHERE: Union Station, 800 NW 6th Ave., Portland, Ore.
WHAT: Guest speakers, displays, giveaways, train tours and more!
I guess this means that the Oregon Talgos will finally enter revenue service.
Posts: 831 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2011
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Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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If Oregon purchased and owns the Oregon Talgos, does it mean that Amtrak has to play ball with Oregon? In other words, if Oregon wants to change train schedules, timetables, delete a Cascade train, etc, for the Cascade trains that run in Oregon, does Amtrak have to acquiesce to the state of Oregon?
Or, does it just mean that Oregon owns the Talgos but Amtrak still runs the Oregon show?
Richard
Posts: 1933 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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Now that Oregon owns 2 trainsets the ODOT will be able to have a say in scheduling (along with WSDOT, Amtrak, BNSF and UP). If you look at the current Cascades schedules you can see that Oregon riders between Eugene and Portland don't get great service. That's because WSDOT (owner of 3 trainsets) and Amtrak (owner of 2 trainsets) were calling the shots. Now that OR has made a contribution to the equipment pool we may see a morning train from Portland to Eugene and an evening return trip, if negotiations with UP work out.
There also was talk of breaking up the existing 5 trainsets and reconfiguring them into 4 longer trainsets. I haven't heard if that is still planned.
Posts: 831 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2011
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I find that very interesting, Vincent. I hope we will eventually see a morning train from Portland to Eugene. Who knows, maybe a Eugene to Ashland train if there is maintained and suitable track provided.
Richard
Posts: 1933 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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The summer construction season is underway in the Pacific Northwest and due to trackwork projects between Seattle and Vancouver BC, there has been a new schedule in effect since July 7th that adds 30 minutes to the Seattle to Vancouver BC trip times. A large part of the construction should be for landslide prevention work, so these delays should result in more dependable service on the north line for Amtrak and Sound Transit once the rainy season starts.
Amtrak's online timetables still show the old timetable, but the reservations page shows the new times operating through the end of September.
Posts: 831 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2011
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The 2 new roundtrips are slated to begin in 2017, when all the ARRA projects are completed. One of the trips will be an early morning departure from Portland to Seattle and an evening return trip. The other roundtrip will be slotted somewhere in the midday, with adjustments to the other trains.
Thirteen companies responded to the WSDOT Request for Information. Who knows what information was submitted? The WSDOT Rail Division has also published an Action Plan for 2014-15 which seems to involve spending a lot of time and money studying ways to save time and money.
Posts: 831 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2011
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Some interesting information, Vincent, with the your link "Action Plan" (above).
The pilot program for clipper vacations, with discounts on Cascade trains, might work well for cruise ship passengers. How about something similar for the Rocky Mountaineer excursions which now has Seattle to Vancouver runs.
Nothing about extending the Cascades to other towns/cities in Oregon and Washington. Maybe down the line.
Richard
Posts: 1933 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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I enjoyed the video, Mr. Norman. Thanks for posting.
I'm a little confused. Is the Amtrak station in Lacy serving both Lacy and Olympia? Or is it in Olympia also serving Olympia and Lacy? I once detrained in Olympia/Lacy back in the 1980's, but I can't remember much about the station other than it was small. I do remember thinking it was a nice jumping off point for renting a car to explore northern Washington state.
Another thing I miss, regarding the new Amtrak website, is a list of all Amtrak stations with station services available. I'm not sure if even the old website had a listing of stations.
Is the Olympia brewery still around? I can't seem to find Olympia beer at the local supermarket. Olympia beer was a favorite. Back in college we would frequently, at night, go out for a pizza and an "Ole".
Richard
Posts: 1933 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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Olympia beer is currently owned by Miller/Coors and is brewed somewhere in California. It's pretty much a forgotten brand in the PNW. The brewery in Tumwater is also closed and I don't know what plans there are for the site.
Miller bought the brewery about 15-20 years ago and I spent a week in Tumwater working on the transition. I got to meet the Miller CEO and he had big plans for the facility. He said the well water that the brewery was famous for really is extraordinary and that Miller was hoping to use the facility for special products. Those plans were never realized and within a few years the Tumwater brewery was making soda pop.
The location of the Olympia-Lacey train station hasn't moved since the 1980s. The location used to be surrounded by farms and pastures, now it's in the middle of suburbia. But it's still a long way from the main population centers of the region.
Posts: 831 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2011
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I never knew, Vincent, that Olympia was bought out by Miller/Coors, and quite some time ago. No wonder I haven't seen it at the local supermarkets. Maybe, someday, it will return to Tumwater under the Olympia name, brewed by the Artesians.
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Without a doubt, the most iconic Pacific Northwest beer commercial of all time was this one for Rainier Beer, one of Oly's biggest competitors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtWQK_O8UdQ
The old Rainier brewery--with its signature neon "R"--still stands in Seattle. It's across the street from the Link light rail O&M base and it's been converted to lofts, office space and commercial uses. The old Olympia Tumwater brewery is located next to a river and it would be a great place to live or work if it were re-habbed.
Posts: 831 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2011
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(Not quite the whole truth), but I haven't had a beer since college.
OK I lied; I do recall visiting a friend's daughter during '14 (think she was then 19) at University of Wisconsin, and there was some "local" beer that she said "you have to have". It had some kind of cow on the bottle. She was able to have one with me, as Wisconsin has a law which states "The drinking age in Wisconsin is 21. Those under the legal drinking age may be served, possess, or consume alcohol if they are with a parent, legal guardian, or spouse who is of legal drinking age. Those age 18 to 20 may also possess (but not consume) alcohol as part of their employment" and allows an otherwise underage to have a beer so long as they are with an adult that could "pass" for a parent or (in my case) grandparent.
Her Mother emailed me saying "you're now a real Schontce" if that means anything to anyone.
But I ask, what is all the "thing" about the water?
Posts: 10969 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Beer is essentially flavored water. Beer brewed using water from Tumwater WA will probably have a better taste than a beer brewed with water from Flint MI. Two molecules of hydrogen combined with one molecule of oxygen produces a tasteless liquid, but in nature there are always traces of other chemicals mixed in with the H2O. When Miller tested the water supply for the Tumwater brewery they were surprised at how good the water was. I remember the CEO saying that "it really is great water" and hoping to create something special at the Tumwater plant.
Olympia Beer is now brewed in Irwindale CA which is located between Pasadena and Pomona, 2 of the cities on this list of cities with the worst drinking water in America. I'm guessing that the 2017 "vintage" of Oly is vastly inferior to a 1988 "vintage".
Posts: 831 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2011
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Put down your beers, there's some actual local rail news...
WSDOT has announced that the new Siemens Charger locomotives will start operating this week on the Cascades trains, just in time for the Thanksgiving rush. Until the Chargers have been fully tested in revenue service all trainsets using a Charger will be paired with an older, proven and reliable locomotive from the Amtrak pool.
We're also less than 30 days from the start of the 2 additional daily roundtrips between Seattle and Portland. I'm very ready to see what $800 million of "shovel-ready" ARRA projects actually look like when they are finally done.
Posts: 831 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2011
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quote: Most people who don't care for a beer they've purchased simply switch brands. Brendan Peacock goes a bit further. He sues. ... Peacock's suit says the beer company falsely implies that the beer comes from artesian spring water in Tumwater, Wash., when, in fact, the company brews Olympia in the San Gabriel Valley city of Irwindale, Calif.
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Vincent, ignorance on where our beer is made is probably a good thing, especially in some of the metro areas. But I do like the regional beers as it gives the illusion at least of having something a bit unique and maybe more carefully made rather than a national mass produced brand. Remember the days when Coors was considered exotic (Smokey and the Bandit) because you couldn’t get it east of the Mississippi.
I do hope Amtrak can get back to some regional food (and drink) on their trains. It’s always enjoyable to ride some of the state supported trains where the catering is done locally. But I think CEO Anderson is more concerned with the bottom line than a memorable customer experience!
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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I do agree that regional beers are often the best.
I'm not much of a beer aficionado as "Coors Light" is what I usually drink on those rare occasions when I do drink beer. There is a very good beer, out of Chico Calif, called "Sierra Nevada" that seems to be quite popular among the local folk.. I don't know if Sierra Nevada beer is available outside Calif.
I was up in BC, Canada, last summer, and I wanted to visit the "Billy Miner Alehouse" in Maple Ridge, BC. Never got there. The ale house is named after Bill Miner, who was known as a "gentleman bandit" and staged the first train robbery in Canada, at Silverdale, which is east of Vancouver. If you ever come by a 1982 movie called "The Grey Fox", it is a great movie about Bill Miner. Miner is played by Richard Farnsworth. One scene of a steam locomotive traveling through a snowy landscape is a real standout.
quote: Plans for restoring the Oregon City Siding include laying new track, ties and equipping both ends with power-operated switches and switch heaters to avoid snow delays in the winter. After the completion of the Oregon City Siding Project, ODOT will work to secure funding for an additional track on an adjacent three-mile section between Oregon City and an existing siding to the south.
There are a lot of delays incurred between Portland and Salem. This project and the proposed double tracking are desperately needed. Amtrak and UP will both benefit from this work. It's good to see Amtrak putting money into a project off the NEC.
Posts: 831 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2011
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WSDOT awarded $37.5 million federal grant for train equipment WSDOT received notification this week from the Federal Railroad Administration that it was awarded a $37.5 million Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair grant to acquire at least three sets of new passenger rail cars for the Amtrak Cascades service. WSDOT plans to procure the new passenger train equipment as part of Amtrak’s 2019-20 national equipment replacement contract. By participating in this national procurement process with other states that sponsor passenger service, WSDOT will be able to leverage the buying power of both Amtrak and other states. The new passenger rail cars are expected to be delivered from the selected manufacturer in the mid-2020s. The award of this grant will allow for the replacement of the WSDOT-owned Talgo 6 trainsets, including the two currently in service and the one lost in the derailment. In the interim, prior to delivery of the new equipment, Amtrak is working to identify temporary passenger equipment to replace the Talgo 6 train sets currently in service. This is consistent with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendations following its investigation of the 2017 derailment in DuPont. WSDOT continues to work with Amtrak, Sound Transit, and FRA to address other safety measures identified by NTSB in anticipation of the return of Amtrak Cascades service to the Point Defiance Bypass between Tacoma and Nisqually. A date for that shift to the Point Defiance Bypass has not yet been determined. You will receive notice from Amtrak and WSDOT well in advance of the move to the new route. The new modern train equipment that will be acquired through this grant will help increase ridership and ticket revenue by improving reliability, comfort and capacity on the Amtrak Cascades system that connects 18 cities between Vancouver, British Columbia and Eugene, Oregon.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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So the Wisconsin sets will continue to sit in their new role as easels for "The Beech Grove Arts Society".
It appears WashState, and I would presume Oregon, has "had enough of 'em". In this case, the rally chant of "send them back" is quite appropriate.
Posts: 10969 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Interesting news, but the numbers don't quite add up. On December 17, 2017 there were 7 trainsets in operation (5 @ Series 6 and 2 @ Series 8). The crashed set was a Series 6. The two Series 8 trainsets are supposedly compliant with all FRA crashworthiness standards while the four remaining Series 6 trainsets are going to be withdrawn.
If WSDOT is going to order 3 new trainsets, they will only have 5 total trainsets. That's enough for the current schedule, but not enough to add the 2 additional trips between Seattle and Portland. So, either WSDOT is planning to stick with the existing schedule or they are planning to add the WI Talgos and add the 2 additional trips.
Posts: 831 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2011
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First, Mr. Vincent, was the set involved at the Chamber's Bay incident ever returned to service?
I can't read into the press release Mr. Palmland linked that the agency intends to acquire the two Wisconsin "Beech Grove easels", nor can I read that the replacement equipment will be anything other than single level cars.
Now I realize I have had only one "take it or leave it" Talgo ride in this life, namely Bilbao to Madrid during 1990, and I missed out of same on the New Haven. But it certainly appears that the Cascades have their following both within and without the railfan community.
But the fact remains that there have been two incidents with the equipment. Even if both were clearly linked to Amtrak operator negligence, should there be another, any party that can be tied to such incident will "have more suits on their hands than Men's Wearhouse has on the racks".
I think it time to "wish 'em all a Bon Voyage" back to where they came from. Maybe RENFE can find some use for them.
Posts: 10969 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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The Chambers Bay set was repaired and returned to service (and I believe it was one of the Series 8 sets).
My guess is that the new equipment purchased with the FRA money will be traditional equipment, probably identical to what CA will be buying. Some of the Series 6 trainsets already have 20+ years of service and they are ready for replacement.
The question is whether the new equipment will be able to meet the timetable speeds that the Talgos can achieve between Seattle and Portland. Also, it doesn't make sense to have 2 different types of trains on a corridor that only requires 5-7 trainsets.
There are some big decisions ahead for the Cascades service.
Posts: 831 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2011
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Hopefully, with the "bypass" returned to service, and considering that both the GN and NP had "Heavyweights" in their consists even "late in the game", the existing schedule can be held with "traditional" single level equipment.
Even if 5-10 min need be added, so what. The prospect of another incident occurring, even if only slight injuries result, Glen Lerner (is the lawyer for you) would be screaming "they knew the trains were unsafe and they got more of them".
Seattle station KIRO aired a comprehensive (well, as TV News goes) report regarding this issue.
Posts: 10969 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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from the FRA's announcement on August 21st:
quote:Washington – Washington State Passenger Rail Car Replacement Project Up to $37,500,000 Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) The proposed project will procure three new consists for use in the Amtrak Cascades intercity passenger rail service between Eugene, OR, and Vancouver, B.C., on the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor. The project will replace the three Washington State-owned Talgo VI trainsets: two used in current service and one damaged in the December 2017 derailment. The loss of the damaged trainset reduced the Amtrak Cascades schedule from six to four daily round trips. The project will enable WSDOT meet existing and anticipated passenger demand, and allow Washington to retire its Talgo VI trainsets. Additionally, the new consists will provide flexible train car capacity, reduce infrastructure lifecycle costs for the Amtrak Cascades fleet, and improve onboard amenities.
This clarifies what is happening. Currently 3 Talgo 6 trainsets are owned by WSDOT and Amtrak owns 2 of the Talgo 6 trainsets. The FRA grant will allow WSDOT to replace its Talgos with new equipment. I presume Amtrak will provide another 2 consists to replace their Series 6 trainsets. What remains undetermined is what will happen with ODOT's 2 Talgo 8 trainsets.
The 8/21 announcement also awards money to the Hiawatha and Piedmont services for new railcars.
Posts: 831 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2011
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