January 2013
- Passengers will ride Amtrak Superliner equipment between Seattle and Vancouver, BC from January to March while WSDOT completes upgrades to the Cascades trainset.
- View photos of the first trainset to get upgraded bistro and lounge cars.
- WSDOT is working with Amtrak to upgrade on-board Wi-Fi systems on all Amtrak Cascades trains to bring greater bandwidth and faster connectivity. The upgrades are scheduled to be complete by spring 2013.
Why is WSDOT
overhauling the Amtrak Cascades trainsets?
There are five trainsets in the Amtrak Cascades fleet of equipment. WSDOT owns three - the Mt. Adams, the Mt. Rainier, and the Mt. Baker, and Amtrak owns two – the Mt. Hood and the Mt. Olympus. These trains operate over a 467-mile rail corridor that connects Eugene, Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, BC.
Amtrak Cascades trains are heavily used and require periodic upgrades so that they continue to provide amenities that Pacific Northwest travelers expect. The overhaul work will extend trainsets life so that they will continue to provide public benefits well into the future.
Since 2008, WSDOT, Amtrak, and the trainsets’ manufacturer Talgo Inc. have worked together to renovate the Business Class and Coach Class cars, upgrade the restrooms and vestibules, add safety features, and made upgrades to suspension systems and on-board computers. In 2011, Wi-Fi service was added and new video monitors were installed.
The End Result
The Amtrak Cascades fleet of equipment will continue to be safe, clean, and attractive to the travelling public.
Project Benefits
- Continued operation of Amtrak Cascades routes between Eugene, OR and Vancouver, B.C.
- Extended service life of the publicly owned trainsets
What is the project timeline?
- Work began in March 2012 and interior upgrades to the Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, and Mt. Adams are complete.
- Similar upgrades to the Mt. Olympus and Mt. Hood will begin in January 2013.
- Work on the Mt. Olympus and Mt. Hood will be finished by the end of March 2013.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following sources:
- 2005 Partnership Funding (Weight Fees) - $9 million
- Total Funding From All Sources - $9 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Kirk Fredrickson, Rail Operations Supervisor
State Rail and Marine Office
PO Box 47407
Olympia, WA 98504-7407
Phone: 360.705.7407
E-mail: Fredrik@wsdot.wa.gov
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