New train movie:
Posted on 08/02/2025 10:06:03 AM PDT by Morgana
PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — A new era of train travel is set to begin in the Pacific Northwest as Amtrak Cascades introduces a fleet of new trains in 2026.
The eight new trainsets and two locomotives will operate along the I-5 corridor, connecting cities such as Seattle, Vancouver, B.C., Eugene, and Portland.
The new trainsets will feature the iconic Amtrak Cascades color scheme of evergreen, cream, and mocha, adorned with Cascade Range mountain graphics.
The trains comply with the Federal Railroad Administration Buy America Standards and were manufactured in the U.S. at Siemens facilities.
Earlier this year, Amtrak pulled it's "Horizon" trains as part of a recall and in compliance with federal requirements. Since the recall, the Cascades route has been served by the "Amfleet" trains, borrowed from other Amtrak locations.
The Amtrak Cascades route will be the first in the nation to receive the new Airo trains, which are designed to be more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly.
They are expected to produce 90% less particulate emissions compared to traditional diesel trains and can reach speeds of up to 125 miles per hour.
"Amtrak Cascades is eager to welcome new trains to our scenic 18-city route linking Washington, Oregon and British Columbia," said Ron Pate, Director of WSDOT's Rail, Freight and Ports Division. "The branding of our new trains is unique to the Amtrak Cascades corridor, distinguishing them from others in the Amtrak fleet. Their arrival will herald a new generation of train travel in the Pacific Northwest."
(Excerpt) Read more at kval.com ...
I can only speak for the Seattle - Vancouver BC run, but it’s gorgeous and worth doing just for the ride.
I agree. I’d love to ride it
katu barada nikto
Trainsets?
Amtrak received $2.4 billion in Federal taxpayer subsidies in 2024, so that’s a pretty expensive pleasure ride, though at least you’re contributing to the slender ridership ...
The rail system in Europe is great because it has regular and frequent passenger service between cities...even cities spaced a few miles apart. In the US, unless you’re in a cardboard box, you’re not going anywhere soon.
Meeting 2100 issues with 19th century technology. Ain’t communism wonderful.
I live in the PNW and have taken the Amtrak Cascades train to Vancouver, BC and Seattle a few times. The trains are rarely full and aren’t reliable enough for daily commuters to use. They are fun to take for an occasional outing, but that’s it.
Exactly. Trains take you to a train station. Cars take you to your final destination. Trains also can't swing by your child care drop-off and pick-up locations.
We just took Amtrak from Rochester NY to Whitefish,MT. I had this fantasy of big cigars and fancy dining cars. Reality bites in the form of dirty outdated sleeper amenities, rude employees (not all), mediocre food.. did I mention dirty? Inside and out; filthy. Chicago Union Sta is like a cathedral with a catacomb beneath. To get to the train there is like navigating a WV coal tunnel. Diesel dust covers everything. Just nasty.
How about resending the laws, rules and regulations the have made it uneconomical from the railroads to offer passenger service?
While they are at it they could do the same our merchant marine.
Of course doing that would hurt the income of lawyers and unions so that idea is DOA.
if Elon Musk or someone of similar ingenuity (not the Dems who have been running it) were mayor, Seattle would be even cooler with a high speed electric aerial monorail by now. Tomorrowland could have been today.
If you would like more information about what’s happening in Oregon, please FReepmail me. Please send me your name by FReepmail if you want to be on this list.
The current Cascades trains are old and uncomfortable as heck (recent experience).
They have not realized that trains are not a thing of the past and in fact I predict will be even more demand in the next ten years.
I went to California and back twice (from the east coast) this spring by Amtrak. I was on the USA Rail pass so that meant I was in coach.
I found their trains to be clean. Chicago station was clean enough, but big. The second floor had a food court with over priced food but that is the same at any airport. I did notice a lot of Amtrak police with “Officer Cujo” (police dogs) patrolling the place. That made me feel safer and when I left a review with Amtrak I told them so.
Majority of the workers I was in contact with were very helpful and kind. Much better than the airlines.
The trains were late but I expected that, it’s Amtrak.
Because I was on the train a lot, mainly the Cardinal, Empire Builder, and Coast Starlight, I ran into the same employees over and over. I was shocked that at one station out west one employee remembered me and smiled when she saw me. This woman had only seen me one time before. I must really make a good impression on people?
bkmk
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