Amtrak Cascades: Seattle-portland

Discussion in 'Suggestions' started by nathanodell62, Feb 10, 2020.

  1. nathanodell62

    nathanodell62 New Member

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    Amtrak Cascades is one of Amtrak's regional passenger services, operating in the Pacific Northwest from Vancouver, BC, to Eugene, OR. It uses Siemens SC-44 Charger locomotives and Talgo train sets, as well as ex-F40PH NPCU's (non powered control units). This route is currently the only one in the US to use Talgo sets.

    This area is also a busy mainline for BNSF and Union Pacific, and operating between Seattle and Lakewood is Sound Transit's Sounder commuter rail service, which uses EMD F59PHI's and MPI MP40PH-3C's, and bombardier bi-level coaches.

    [​IMG]
    A map of the full Amtrak Cascades route.

    The Amtrak Cascades runs along the Puget Sound at some parts between Tacoma and Olympia and north of Seattle, offering great views of the water. The route generally follows Interstate 5, even running in the middle of it for a few miles between Kelso and Vancouver.

    This route offers scenic views and unique trains. From King Street Station in Seattle to riding along the Puget Sound coastline, to crossing the Columbia River into Portland, this route has a lot to offer.

    [​IMG]
    Columbia River bridge between Vancouver, WA and Portland.

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    Amtrak Cascades being led by an NPCU.

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    A pair of the new Siemens Chargers.

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    Seattle King Street Station

    Here's a few links to articles with more information:
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amtrak_Cascades
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_Defiance_Bypass
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sounder_commuter_rail
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Street_Station
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_Union_Station
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burlington_Northern_Railroad_Bridge_9.6
     
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  2. jedi247

    jedi247 Well-Known Member

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    This sounds like a cool route idea. I'd like the BNSF and UP trains if it is made. Please include UP and BNSF ET44s, ES44s, or SD70ACes for heavy freight, GP60s or maybe a Genset Switcher for locals and switching, and the SC44 Charger for passengers.
     
  3. Anthony Pecoraro

    Anthony Pecoraro Well-Known Member

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    There is a problem with this. DTG can’t sell BNSF content outside the US, so therefore they won’t do BNSF. Also, They don’t have a license for Sounder. If they were to make this, it would be a small section of it, with nothing but Amtrak.
     
  4. LativaBoy

    LativaBoy Active Member

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    I would definitely love the Cascades route in TSW. Although BNSF doesn't want their content sold outside the US so Union Pacific will probably have to do for freight operations
     
  5. Callum B.

    Callum B. Well-Known Member

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    It's not that BNSF doesn't want their content sold outside the U.S., it's that they can't allow it because they don't own the trademark globally. They legally can't give permission because they don't have the legal power to do so. In actuality, I doubt they actually care.
     
  6. Anthony Pecoraro

    Anthony Pecoraro Well-Known Member

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    Right
     

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