Seattlest: The PDX Train, Take 2

annie

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 10:54:30 -0800

Also, don't take the Coast Starlight. It's the route, not the BNSF, that inflicts 2.5 hour waits on people. I have never known Amtrak Cascades to be so egregiously delayed.

Ian

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 01:06:01 -0800

"The kid at the window was playing his GameBoy and shut the curtain." Grrr!!

catalina vel-duray

Mon, 21 Aug 2006 23:24:09 -0800

Since Amtrak does not own the tracks, they are at the mercy of the host railroad (the Burlington Northern Santa Fe - operators of those long freight trains) BNSF is actually quite responsible when it comes to working with Amtrak and improving the infrastructure, but Rome was not built in a day. Or so they tell me - I'm not THAT old. If you want to get really wonkish (like me!), you can read all about the improvements on the Washington State Department of Transportation website, but I won't bore you with that. I've lost too many friends by attempting to get them to do things that already. Suffice to say they are doing all sorts of things with boring names like "Nanino High Speed Crossover" that will make it much easier for the passenger trains to bypass the freights. Patience, darlings! As far as everything else goes: The lasagna is actually quite good, but the Macaroni 'n Cheese is better. The little lever is to change the direction of the seats on the train so you don't have to ride backwards all the way to Portland (they don't turn the train around, they just operate it from the other end - like the monorail). The levers are to be operated by uniformed professionals only - unauthorized operation has been known to cause explosive bowel movements. King Street Station is much less homeless shelter-ish than it previously was. It is due to be donated to the city by the BNSF any second now, at which time lots of things will be happening to make it a more respectable place. Until then, don't be scared - they probably didn't really kill that person they are telling you about, and a little stale urine never hurt anyone. Besides, consider your alternatives: a liquid-less mini-flight on Alaska, which is a mere shadow of it's former self, or a not-so-jolly jaunt down the moronic enclave that is known as I-5. At least any alcohol you consume on the train is legal.

Jake of 8bitjoystick.com

Mon, 21 Aug 2006 14:36:37 -0800

If you and your friends bring your own flask of rum you tend not to care about any minor delays. I seriously recommend bringing your own food and booze so you can arrive in the Rose City with all your cash so you can spend it on the state run gambling machines all over the place (http://www.flickr.com/photos/39882521@N00/105144943/ ) and the vast book stores (http://www.flickr.com/photos/39882521@N00/105145224/). Hey it is still faster than I-5 in rush hour and you can just take the Tri-Met light-rail everywhere you want to go in Portland (http://www.flickr.com/photos/39882521@N00/105145035/ ). I tell ya once the affordable oil runs out Portland is going to be a post-automobile Mecca. Just be careful to avoid the Mad Max style bike gangs of aging Baby-boomers in spandex (http://www.flickr.com/photos/39882521@N00/105144995/ ).