The History of Amtrak's Cascades Service

Amtrak Cascades is easily recognizable from it's signature green, white, brown, and beige paint scheme to the trains' unique Talgo train-sets. Before the Cascades though, the Pacific Northwest region of America was a tough to get-to location for the early railroad pioneers. If it weren't for the determination of Great Northern Railway tycoon James J. Hill, we may not have the route we know today. But what else led up to the creation of Amtrak's Cascades service and where did the Talgo's come from? In this video, I take a look at how the railroads of America made it out west and how Amtrak got the route it runs today!
Thanks to everyone who submitted photos and videos for this video, I greatly appreciated your help!
Music Used:
Yuru Camp OST - Let's Go Camping!
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 OST - Ice Cap Zone (Act 2)
JR Tundra - Moonshine Town
Sonic 3D Blast (Saturn) OST - Green Grove Zone (Act 2)
Railroad Tycoon - Switch Yard Blues
Sonic Jam OST - Digital Manual
Sonic Adventure OST - Emerald Coast (Windy and Ripply)
Links:
Instagram: / amtrakguy365
Twitter: / amtrakguy365
My Site: amtrakguy365.weebly.com/
Flickr: www.flickr.com/people/1424538...

[@thenewpatticakes4214]

I like how the single-axle sets don't make a clickity-clack over rail joints, they just go *clack*

[@BNSF_7777_Productions]

that would mess with me so much lol. unless there were two joints about 6 feet from each other so it would at least go *clack clack*

[@ikriestiana]

Because its 1 axle per cars / coaches

[@Professional_Foaming]

I have welded rail I don't hear any click or clack

[@jonathanaina7754]

Let’s just hope the Talgo sets don’t actually get replaced by the Venture passenger cars

[@TPB-OPA]

@@jonathanaina7754 never heard of them could you show an image of them?

[@SolidCold]

i love how one color on the color palette is NUGGET

[@robertbalazslorincz8218]

What do you mean?

[@xott99]

SouthernPacific 8535 It’s an American train as you can clearly see 🤣

[@maotingdew]

Róbert Balázs Lőrincz check out 6:20.

[@ClarkEmbree]

Makes sense. The area was first settled during the gold rush.

[@griffinrails]

c h i n k i n k i e n n u g g e g e t

[@georgiatrainproductions5986]

F40PH NPCU's and F59PHI's. One of my most classic pair. Edit: Thanks for the likes.

[@govnik]

NPCU F40PH’s and GE Genesis are also VERY classic

[@empirestaterailfan4960]

Chargers? 🤮 I like F40PH’s and Genesis

[@georgiatrainproductions5986]

@@empirestaterailfan4960 Are you talking about F59PHI's? Those aren't Chargers.

[@empirestaterailfan4960]

No I mean I don’t like the Siemens Chargers

[@georgiatrainproductions5986]

@@empirestaterailfan4960 Very true.

[@himbourbanist]

Love the Cascades service!! The unique livery really makes it stand out. I know nowadays some of the Talgo 8 sets are getting a little dated but I'm really excited to see the new Siemens venture cars and full Cascades-specific Airo sets in the coming years

[@northwoodsrailproductions4538]

For those interested, there’s a really cool multiple episode podcast out by Wisconsin Public Radio that talks about why the Wisconsin order fell through. It’s called Derailed, and it goes into detail on the planned high speed rail between Chicago and Madison that the coaches were to be part of

[@BeaverBoy7]

I feel like Amtrak Cascades should extend their services to Bend, OR via the Columbia Gorge.

[@nathancorcoran5347]

I have rode on one of these Amtrak Cascade trains from the USA and Canada. And I remember seeing another Cascade train in 2019.

[@drxdxr4443]

How was the experience

[@nathancorcoran5347]

Diego happydorid it was great. I think the ride on the one from USA and Canada was in 2013 I think.

[@ivanoffw]

The new passenger cars have harder seats, the older Talgo's have/had more comfortable seats, even if they were worn from a lot of use, even in coach class.

[@metraforce441]

I remember back in the days Metra used Burlington northern units. Man it seemed so different back then...

[@rnrailproductions5049]

They also used SDP35 and SDP40s

[@D.O.T.D.]

@Metra Force dang you're lucky. The closest I ever got to a BN unit was an executive passing under a bridge!

[@trashrabbit69]

@@D.O.T.D. Check for your local BNSF yards. Tons of former BN units are still used for local switching and freight service, and quite a few of them are unpatched.

[@D.O.T.D.]

@@trashrabbit69 mmpf. Where? Even if I was in Colorado right now the closest one was in Denver, more than an hour away from Boulder, CO!

[@trashrabbit69]

@@D.O.T.D. Well I don't know much about their roster in the Rockies. I live in Milwaukee but frequently go to Central WI/Southern MN and their power on the Staples Sub and La Croix Sub for smaller jobs are frequently that.

[@Berubium]

I’ve taken this train a few times from Vancouver, BC to Seattle, WA (& vice versa) & have thoroughly enjoyed it. The temporary Amfleet cars allow elevated views as you get to observe from the second floor. This is especially nice when enjoying a coffee & snack in the observation car alongside the ocean. It would be nice if the train travelled a bit faster between White Rock & Vancouver though. From the bridge over the Fraser to downtown Vancouver is an absolute crawl.

[@reesochacon1448]

The Cascades service looks and sounds wonderful. I’ll have to travel on it sometime. Love your work, Amtrak.

[@OregonRailfan216]

I love seeing Amtrak cascades all time.There a cool railroad

[@rodrigorosatoalves]

I rode the Cascades in 2016 between Seattle and Vancouver, BC. It’s an unique route operated by unique service, much more convenient and comfortable than the Boltbus. Although a bit more expensive and an hour slower I would take the Cascades at any opportunity over riding the bus. It hardly felt like a travel, much rather 4 hours of lounging around, enjoying the view and meeting new interesting people!

[@megarollxrgmbroadcasting91]

I’ve taken Cascades Portland to Seattle. It was a cool relatively short trip.

[@superjesse645]

1. Thank you for talking about one of my favorite services. 2. THANK YOU FOR PRONOUNCING 'OREGON' RIGHT. 3. I wish Amtrak Cascades had dome cars. Fun fact btw: The first time I saw one a Cascades train, I was all like 'wtf why is that not a superliner like in MSTS?'

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

A set of Superliners operated from December 2017-March 2020, as the Mount Adams set was destroyed and they needed a new set.

[@GreenbeanProductions]

Wow this will be great it’s a beautiful train

[@user-oq6jk7dm8o]

My wife and I have ridden Amtrak Cascades for many years. It is wild that the Wisconson Talgo sets are now running service in Lagos Nigeria. What a wild twist.

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

I still want a Vancouver, BC-San Diego train.

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

@Acerailfan3101 F40PH Yep. At least do through cars on 763/14 and 11/796 again.

[@amcaljosh]

Would be nice. Stopping at maybe Seattle, Portland, Oakland/Emeryville (san francisco), la, and etc.

[@ianmalone6847]

I agree

[@rudolphkopp9902]

Your 'want' is nothing more than a 'pipe dream'. Won't ever happen.

[@TackyJhudiel3]

Same, that's my dream as well.

[@bcshelby4926]

...well so much for the revival of the Hiawatha line since Gov. Walker (who led the drive to cancel the project in 2011) was booted from office. The plans were for 120 - 125 mph service (with an average speed of around 90 mph) along the entire Stretch from Chicago to Minneapolis, which even with stops would have cut travel time to less than half of what it currently is and tripled frequency between the two endpoints. . . So for now it's still just one train the Empire Builder which averages around 45 - 47 mph along the route taking nearly 10 hours (on a good day) to cover the distance. Had the Hiawatha project not been killed a decade ago (all capital costs were covered by federal grants, not a dime of state money would have been involved), the entire line would likely have been completed by now and in operation. It would have been the second high speed corridor on Amtrak's system (next to the Northeast between Boston and DC). Indeed, it was politics. For perspective, the distance between Chicago and Minneapolis is slightly less than Paris to Marseilles where the TGV makes the run in about 3 hrs 15 - 20 min, (including stops) about the same amount time it takes a Cascades train to travel between Portland and Seattle which (with the new bypass) is 186 miles.

[@TalenGryphon]

First train I ever rode. Amtrak Cascades from Seattle to Vancouver Canada. The non-power control unit thing explains why I STILL saw the rugged old F40PHs on Cascades trains until last year. I thought they were there as backup power

[@Josh_Fredman]

Worth noting that the Cascades service has been completely inoperative north of Seattle since the pandemic got bad in March. I miss seeing them go by! Four times a day: twice in the morning (one in each direction) and twice in the evening.

[@trainsupporter9088]

Terrific video!!!! Thanks for uploading it. I've ridden the Cascade service Talgo trains once and it was a lovely trip.

[@DesertMonsoon32]

Used to go on this route as a kid during the summer. Great memories. Thanks for posting!

[@penguinmaster7]

4:55-5:10 5:46-5:58 footage from "Awesome Trains"

[@dvnrhillary]

Since the Amtrak Cascade Service is considered as a higher speed rail route, why or why not can the entire line be completely electrified?

[@D.O.T.D.]

Well... there is narrow track, lots of bridges and tunnels (not like NEC), and mountains. They just use electro-diesel power.

[@griffinrails]

@@D.O.T.D. but switzerland

[@edata5898]

I think the plan was to build a new higher-speed railway line there in the 1990s, but no funding has ever been allocated to it. Currently the line is owned by BNSF and used for freight as well, and since most of BNSFs network is non-electrified and only a few passenger trains run on the service, it is not worth the cost of electrifying it. Also, BNSF might not want to electrify it as it might interfere with their cargo services, though that is unlikely (currently they don't want trains to run faster than 79mph, as it would interfere with their freight services).

[@vaska00762]

Freight operators *hate* electrification and will do everything to stop it from happening. I'm not sure what their problem is, but I think it's just paranoia that overhead catenary wire will suddenly collapse and then zap their locos or freight and cost them money. Only Florida East Coast is genuinely interested in electrification.

[@robk7266]

Money

[@RichManSCTV0]

I still remember the really bad derailment they had on the new bridge near Tacoma and Washington. That was so bad to see

[@cabcar82]

I love the clips of Vancouver and Ridgefield. I go to thoes spots alot.

[@jeffreyhunt1727]

I love your content. I love the Cascades line and you did a terrific job of documenting its history.

[@businessbuilding1]

Fantastic! I rode the Cascades from Seattle to Vancouver. Great trip!

[@northeasttraxter5815]

Another Great video Jared!

[@trainroomgary]

Like • Cheers from The Detroit & Mackinac Railway 🚂

[@braysfinds7479]

There are a few pictures on the web with talgos in surfliner paint. I have no idea why though.

[@lectrician2]

because they also use the F59PHI (which i assume you are talking about) , which was also used on the surfliner, and sometimes amtrak moves around locomotives to other lines, so it was just a odd thing (probably after it was sold to WSDOT, if it did)

[@joshmeister4449]

I remember seeing the Las Vegas Talgo set at Railfair 99...

[@503railfan]

The talgo in surfliner paint (only one was painted this way) was intended to be used between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. The idea was cancelled, likely due to budget/money reasons. The set was repainted into the regular cascades colors as "Mt Adams" set, and wrecked in 2017 & scrapped.

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

That was the Las Vegas Talgo set, a 14 car Series 6 set that got reassigned to the Cascades in 2004. This set was also used on the Surfliner to test them at higher speeds. This set would be modified in Seattle to become a 12 car set, with 2 excess cars going to other sets, creating 4 13-car sets. This set would be named Mt. Adams, and go on serving the Cascades until 12/18/17, when it was destroyed in the Point Defiance Bypass derailment.

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

He explained this in the video as well.

[@satiric_]

If only Amtrak Cascades went up to Bellingham at a reasonable hour - I would have ridden it all the time before COVID if it had run in the middle of the day instead of either super early or super late.

[@ianmalone6847]

Yeah I live in Bellingham and I agree hopefully we can get another train that arrives at like 12-1

[@silverfin113]

@@ianmalone6847 At least its not the 6:30 am train people catch south from Vancouver in the morning

[@ianmalone6847]

@@silverfin113 I never thought about that that has to suck

[@anortherner2626]

Glad to have helped! Keep up the great work!

[@railwaycityrails8552]

You always produce some of the highest quality rail videos on this site. Fantastic work Jared, very informative!

[@TheWinnipegRailfan]

Amtrak Cascades? more like VIA cascades! ~CascadesGuy364

[@Token_Nerd]

Great video as always. Keep the series going!

[@hi55us2]

Love the Cascades. Just wish they would have more service to the east side of Washingtion, actually across the Cascades! The 1 train a day from Spokane to Seattle and Portland is not enough.

[@SCL6054Prouctions]

I love your videos so much i could watch them all day

[@lectrician2]

Amazing video! And quite interesting, when i've seen videos of the newer train sets with the non-powered train control cab (which looks quite odd) i've always wondered the story behind it!

[@sparky107107]

the cascade trains look awesome. thanks for the history lesson on Amtrak

[@64jmoore]

Wow! Great video! Very informative! Thanks!

[@radioflowers]

this is the exact video i was looking for a few months ago

[@alexanderip1003]

I Hope the Cascades And the *Maple Leaf Makes a Comeback If there is a Travel Bubble (Which I fear would never establish) *New Rolling stock needed (Siemens Charger Locomotive and Venture coaches all in Amtrak's Phase 1 Livery)

[@sculli722]

Your choice of music is fantastic, subscribed.

[@chafanonash3418]

Great video mate. Keep em’ up.

[@TrainsNStuff]

Awesome! Thanks for using some of my videos, it means a lot.

[@amtrakpepsiproduct1605]

The retirement of the Amtrak series 6 Talgos is a really sad one to me. The one and only Las Vegas set was totaled in the derailment of 501, and now all of them are retired because the NTSB said that they "didn't adequately protect the passengers." I'm not trying to discredit the peoole who died and/or were injured in the accident, but I's say they held together quite decently, compared to cars like the Amfleets, which have gotten crushed and mangled like pop cans in accidents like Frankford Junction, where 8 people died in that accident. Then again, I'm no NTSB or FRA employee, so I could be missing a whole lot here, but I am still infuriated that nothing but 1 bistro car will be preserved, and everything else will be presumably scrapped. This was probably one of the first successful Talgo trains in the U.S., and Amtrak decides to completely let it go extinct? I get preserving an entire set would be too cumbersome for a museum, due to their length, but at least a small set with a baggage car, a couple of coaches, and a generator car would've been nice, not just one single bistro. Let's at least hope that Amtrak won't do the same thing for their other historically significant equipment, such as the Acelas.

[@mbtaghost2583]

Awesome love it I love the f40 and f59

[@kellybrown8638]

The stations on this line are among the most beautiful in all of North America

[@SuperDave30]

Awesome story also “Facts”💯

[@hamburgrailfan7620]

Fascinating video!

[@elijaha773]

I like those Talgo 6 fins

[@erik_griswold]

Designed by Cesar Vegara.

[@oregonwesternrailroadprodu5239]

Glad i was able to help again

[@TransitkidJason]

Great video man!

[@bradleyblack3800]

Oh my god I have been riding this train for years and a video finally came out about it

[@HSMiyamoto]

When I rode the Cascades between Vancouver, BC and Portland, OR, I was struck by how many curves are on that route. There are some long tangets between Seattle and Tacoma, and north of Everett, but otherwise, the track seems to wind back and forth. Talgo equipment shows it's worth on this line.

[@miguelsojo3376]

Talgos where made with that kind of geography in mind. One of their advantage is reduced tear and wear on the montainius curvy Spanish railways.

[@HSMiyamoto]

For those that haven't examined the physical plant, the tracks from Vancouver to Portland carry three speed limits: Freight, Passenger and Talgo, abbreviated F, P, and T. The value of these trains on this line is amply apparent.

[@blueridgerails7779]

Do the history of the Capitol Limited next please!

[@blueridgerails7779]

I railfan it everyday and I would love to know the history behind it

[@adamhart9555]

We take the Cascade once or twice a year from Seattle to Portland. Beats driving even if it takes a little longer.

[@erichuxel5408]

3:10 Can we talk about Amtrak service from Seattle to Ellensburg and Yakima? That would be amazing!

[@alank122]

Check out All Aboard Washington for current efforts for that route. Unfortunately, significantly decreased ridership due to COVID, little money for required upgrades, and little demand has slowed this significantly. www.aawa.us/

[@ogjk]

Didn't know their were so many train and Sonic fans.

[@Brandon_vollmer]

A little tidbit for the 2017 derailment, I-5 was shutdown in the right lane for four days as NTSB investigated.

[@willberestartingthischanne9984]

I Love Amtrak Passenger Trains

[@SantaFe19484]

Nice video!

[@gamerfan8445]

Ok who think the changer is ugly. Am ok with them on short lines. But long distance train that crossing the line.

[@mattanatior97studios9]

Well you have to grow to like them they don't look the best if the back was like the front they would look better

[@gamerfan8445]

matt scheerschmidt you are right but it look like it built for the EU. The p 40 look amazing with any train it pull.

[@lectrician2]

I dont like the front of them compared to the P42DC, and amtrak should have gone with the SCB-40 (what brightline has) because the front of the SCB-44 (what amtrak has) look like crap and the SCB-40 has a streamlined design. Though the only issue is that there is 400 less horse power, so if it had the design of the SCB-40 and the horsepower of the SCB-44 i would love it. Another major bug of mine is that it's so short compared to the P42DC, when i see it on the talgo sets (which were made for the 56PHI and other locomotives that are taller then the SCB-44) it makes me go crazy because of the fin on the baggage cars are taller than the locomotive!

[@gamerfan8445]

lectrician2 SCB 40 are good with short distance trains. For long distance trains I will use P42DC.

[@lectrician2]

@@gamerfan8445 Thats the main purpose of them on amtrak right now, though it sucks that that not so great design will be taking over all of the P42DC's!

[@conceyullena]

Very nice video! Greetings 🚂👍👋

[@prairierailproductions6737]

God, love these commentary videos.

[@lilcattythewildnorwester7786]

Incredible Episode of Amtrak cascade

[@odielodie]

You should do an episode on ncpu's and cab cars. Edit. When I meen cab cars I mean ex metroliner amfleets

[@Lucius_Chiaraviglio]

Different author, but: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6qxkIyIfLh-jpI

[@nah_144]

Amtrak Cascade is very unique.

[@kimberleykultala1396]

As a person who lives in Oregon, this is accurate. Thank you.

[@VirtualRailfanProductions]

I would love see a video on the Pioneer service.

[@kommandantgalileo]

Got to take a ride on those

[@zackaBOSSSSS2]

Epic

[@DK-nv9zu]

Loved Ice Cap Zone!

[@dennisyoung4631]

Have seen this going out of Portland once - one Siemens, and one G.E. Hope to take it up to Seattle in a year or so.

[@AtTheCrossingProductions]

Glad to contribute 👍

[@unionpacificomaha]

Awesome video love the history

[@Kansasavation]

It’s not really history it still operates

[@unionpacificomaha]

Gavin Gamble The Railfan I know I’m talking about it’s past

[@southwestwashingtonrailfan6110]

I'm still salty about the F59PHI's being replaced.

[@hytale-cmb3238]

Some were sold to metra but it was their time to go because they were around 20 years old and did not comply with modern specifications. It’s okay to be salty but is their time to go.

[@kieltigs6463MPG]

F59PHI also Replaced into mp36ph thats why Headlight of mp36ph Is same of f59phi

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

They replaced them with ugly crimes against rail travel

[@kieltigs6463MPG]

@@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory agreed

[@joshbrony2204]

I saw the Red and White Talgo back in October 2019 at the Beech Grove Shops.

[@sirrliv]

Bonus Like for use of Yuru Camp soundtrack!

[@Gacha-Central-Railroad]

Noice video and Wonderful train

[@TheMrPits]

And that train from Seattle to Vancouver BC goes right past a nude beach just south of Bellingham WA. Always wondered what the staff on the train tell the passengers, do they warn them? The tracks are literally 10 feet from the beach which is frequented by many locals during the summer months, during a time the train does pass by during daylight.

[@AndrewNineTen]

9:05 I've always wondered what those weird, semi-truck cab looking trains were when they passed by on my route to high school, guess now I know!

[@CoalChrome]

that bypass is perfect for a tourist line.

[@CoalChrome]

@Sky Honkler i see

[@emdaem-771]

Cascades. Amtrak through the Mountains.

[@rocketman1969]

Good video

[@theelementofstupidity2665]

Cool!

[@robertbalazslorincz8218]

Wait thoae coaches SOO resemble Aerotrain coaches! How isn't the ride bad? *realises its European* Oh wait okay.

[@amfm889]

Interesting history! You left out that a second Seattle-Vancouver, BC train was added just before the 2010 Winter Olympics.

[@theflapjackaviation2645]

Amtrak is probably going to get venture car sets from Siemens. Most of their other lines already have them/have orders for them

[@NetGreen123]

I love this, THIS IS MY CASCADES

[@lilcattythewildnorwester7786]

Just hear that WSDOT SC-44 Charger Amtrak Engine #1408 Was Purchased by WSDOT as Replacement for the lost #1402 in August 5 ,2020.

[@BNSF_7777_Productions]

it has recently been delivered via BNSF, one of my friends got it in Colorado a week ago

[@toadtech]

I love it

[@anitrain]

Is there any video from inside the Talgo train sets? Series 6 or series 8? I once rode on a exhibition train they had on the surfline between Oceanside and San Diego but I was very young and don't remember anything. LOL

[@willberestartingthischanne9984]

Nice

[@BooBoo-po4eb]

Could you tell me all the places to see Amtrak cascade trains and all states (and Canada)

[@jackmarshallD9525]

I heard that Railroad Tycoon 3 music and instantly turned up the volume.

[@YaoboyProd2K15]

It's the only Amtrak service to use Spanish Talgo trainsets.

[@jwil4286]

I think Cascades is also Amtrak’s most successful state-funded route too

[@porneliushubertsthaicuisin1316]

anyone know why the talgo save 25 minutes in service compared to the standard Amtrak stock

[@californiaporg]

Yay! new vid.