posted http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Rail/AmtrakCascades/2ndTrain.htm ********************************* The article talks about plans, for the summer of 2008, for a 2nd Cascade morning train, from Vancouver to Seattle. Does anyone have more information on whether the "summer of 2008" is definite? Any info on which month in 2008, or is it too early?
The reason I ask has to do with anticipated planning/reservations for a Canadaian train trip in the summer of 2008. Included will be a round-trip excursion on the Cascades from Seattle to Vancouver. I hope to get in a trip on either the Whistler Mountaineer and/or Rocky Mountaineer, as well as the VIA between Jasper and Vancouver. Having a morning train back from Vancouver to Seattle will great and help out with the old intinerary. Problem is, if I plan on the trip this fall, it would help to know which month the new train service will be in effect.
Richard
RRRICH Member # 1418
posted
That is good news indeed -- my wife and I are planning another long train trip for next summer (2008), and one of the options was to get to Vancouver from the W Coast (where we'll be visiting family and friends) and take the Canadian across from VAC to Toronto again -- a morning Cascade would be great and would get us to Vancouver in time to catch the Canadian
yukon11 Member # 2997
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I feel the same way, Rich. I did not like having to wait, in Vancouver, until 6PM and then not get into Seattle until 10PM. The morning run will be much appreciated. By the way, (I am sure you already know this) you will have to have a passport, next year, to get into Canada.
Richard
royaltrain Member # 622
posted
Does anyone know if the Cascades will be Talgo equipment anytime soon? I booked a trip from Vancouver BC to Seattle and there was no Business Class, so I presume even as late as December this year it will still be a Superliner train?
yukon11 Member # 2997
posted
I rode the Cascade, round trip, from Seattle to Vancouver last summer and they did have regular and business class. Maybe a change?
Richard
notelvis Member # 3071
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I read several months ago (can't remember where...Trains, Passenger Train Journal, NARP Newsletter are the places I get this stuff) that all the agreements for this service are in place. It hinges on the completion of a passing track (maybe just ver the Canadian border?) where the two trains can meet.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Royal Train - the Cascades have been Talgo equipment for the last several years........
or did I misunderstand your question?
royaltrain Member # 622
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RRRich, I was told by the Amtrak agent in Toronto, and I believe I read this either on Rail forum or another one, that superliner equipment has been substituted for Talgos on the run from Vancouver BC to Seattle due to some problem with the equipment. I was also told that there is no diner on the substituted equipment. So assuming all this is true, does anyone know anything about the return of the Talgo on trains 510 and 517?
P.S. I finally found Amtrak's announcement about the Cascade and it says: "From April 10 through June 10 trains 510 and 517 will operate with superliner equipment." It goes on to say there will be no diner or Business class. However when I randomly checked several dates on Amtrak.com only coach seats were offered from April 11 through Dec 31.
quote: Because Superliner equipment does not have a bicycle rack, bicycles must be boxed and shipped through Checked Baggage service.
Actually, Superliners DO have bicycle storage. The compartment is located at one end of the car and must be accessed from the outside by an employee. I witnessed a car attendant retrieving a bicycle from said compartment in Glenwood Springs as the owner detrained there.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Thanks for clearing that up, Royal Train -- I was not aware of the equipment substitution. Hope they get the Talgos back soon!!!
smitty195 Member # 5102
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This should help to clear up the Superliner/talgo issue:
CATEGORY-MGC SUBJECT-MAY ... 12MAY07 1118 8210 PAGE NO 28 01 SEATTLE-VANCOUVER TRAIN SUPERLINER THRU END OF YEAR 02 03 IN ORDER TO ALLOW EXTENSIVE OVERHAUL WORK ON ALL THE CASCADE 04 TALGO TRAINSETS, ONE SET AT A TIME WILL NOW BE OUT OF SERVICE 05 THROUGH THE END OF 2007. THEREFORE - 06 07 FROM APRIL 10 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, TRAINS 510/517 WILL OPERATE 08 WITH SUPERLINER EQUIPMENT: A 31000-SERIES BAGGAGE COACH, 09 34000-SERIES COACHES (WITH LOWER LEVEL AND ACCESSIBLE 10 SEATING), AND A SIGHTSEER LOUNGE CAR. 11 12 THE FOLLOWING SERVICES NORMALLY PROVIDED ON THIS TRAIN WILL 13 NOT BE AVAILABLE DURING THIS PERIOD: CHECKED BAGGAGE (EXCEPT 14 AT SEA AND VAC), BUSINESS CLASS, UNBOXED BICYCLE SPACE (MUST 15 GO IN BOXES AS CHECKED BAGGAGE AT SEA AND VAC ONLY), MOVIES 16 ON THE TRAIN (CAN RENT A DIGEPLAYER AT SEA), A GPS DISPLAY 17 OF THE TRAIN'S POSITION, ELECTRIC OUTLETS AT SEATS, RAILFONES, 18 AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE SIT-DOWN DINING CAR STYLE MEALS 19 WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE - SNACK ITEMS ONLY IN THE LOUNGE.
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