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Post by Mike on Sept 12, 2012 21:14:38 GMT -8
Nice photos, "MileagePhoto"! Engines 919 and 952 are AEM-7 electric locomotives ( ASEA Electro- Motive 7000 hp). They are also known as "Toasters". I have a cab ride video from Pentrex of a trip done from Washington DC to Philadelphia PA. This is part of it as placed on YouTube by a train fan: AEM-7's pull trains up to about 125 MPH. Here are Jim Hebner's photos of some of them in action: www.hebners.net/amtrak/amtaem7_900_909.htmlI have a couple of these "Toasters" on my HO track. They're also called "Meatballs" by Amtrak maintenance personnel because their electrical components are made in Sweden. ;D
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Post by Mike C on Feb 14, 2013 21:39:21 GMT -8
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Post by Mike C on Apr 7, 2013 21:10:18 GMT -8
Amtrak's Empire Builder service derails on Everett-Seattle corridor as it is hit by a mudslide. Note that this corridor is also shared by the Amtrak Cascades service that operates multiple daily trains between Vancouver, BC and Portland, OR.
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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Post by FNS on Apr 8, 2013 9:17:35 GMT -8
These Empire Builder riders were very lucky.
I've been aboard this train many times and is one of the most beautiful rides in the Amtrak's system.
The Seattle branch of this train consists of locomotives, a baggage car, a crew dorm, two public sleepers, a dining car, and two coaches.
Seeing the photos in the Times, the dining car and the two coaches were left on the spot. The sleepers took the passengers to Mukilteo.
Breakfast service in the Dining Car usually ends in the Cascade Tunnel as the crew has to prepare for the turnaround crew in Seattle. Pillows are usually taken before or after Everett in the seating areas.
You can separate a Superliner trainset as well as Amfleet, Horizon, Heritage, Acela, and commuter trains. You can't really separate a Talgo trainset, though, unless it's in an Amtrak yard.
Looking at the train status page we see:
Seattle branch (CHI-SPK-SEA), no continued service into Seattle from Everett on Sunday morning. No eastbound trip from Seattle that evening. No service today.
Portland branch (CHI-SPK-PDX), Train 27 arrived PDX 0951PDT Sunday morning. Turned around. Departed as Train 28 from PDX at 1645PDT on time, arrived SPK at 2354PDT. It would have mated with the Seattle branch and continued east at 0130PDT. Instead, I think it waited for the westbound combo's arrival at 0140PDT. The Portland branch of that train arrived PDX early this morning. The Seattle branch would send its passengers to Seattle from SPK on buses and the set would be turned around, cleaned, and mate to the waiting eastbound Portland branch. The set departed SPK late at 0506PDT, giving its passengers a rare daylight passage along the Kootenai River this morning (this passage usually takes place overnight). ETA Havre MT: 1701MDT today.
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Post by Mike C on May 11, 2013 10:16:47 GMT -8
Being a regular on Amtrak's Cascades service, I am driving down to Bellingham today to check out the Amtrak National Train Day display. I had my hopes up that they would be showing off the new Talgo Cascades equipment, but I think that will be down in Portland, as the sets are owned by Oregon DOT. More information can be found here: nationaltrainday.com/s/
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Post by Low Light Mike on Oct 9, 2013 10:36:06 GMT -8
A thread for all things Amtrak. Company website here: link
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Post by Mike on Nov 10, 2013 11:26:17 GMT -8
Meant to post this awhile go. Amtrak train #517 departing Mount Vernon, WA in September 2013.
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Post by Mike on Feb 23, 2014 12:33:56 GMT -8
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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Post by FNS on Feb 23, 2014 20:53:56 GMT -8
That's one nice photo of a mode of transportation I used four years ago in getting to and from the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Today was closing day for Sochi's Winter Olympics. Like Vancouver, the Russians outdid themselves in making these games memorable. Congratulations, Canadians, on your Golden performances! Wished we had this kind of snow on my train rides to Vancouver's Olympics. Kind of an urge to go to, or do, a winter sport!
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Post by Mike C on Mar 12, 2014 20:12:12 GMT -8
Amtrak Cascades Service operating South of the Fraser. This is one of two new Talgo trainsets that came into service at the beginning of this year, owned by the Oregon Department of Transportation. These pictures were taken in Burns Bog and White Rock. Amtrak #809, Cascades Service - Burns Bog, Delta by MileagePhoto, on Flickr Amtrak Mt Jefferson Cascades Set, Cascades Service - Burns Bog, Delta by MileagePhoto, on Flickr Cascades Service - White Rock Beach by MileagePhoto, on Flickr Amtrak #809, Cascades Service - White Rock Beach by MileagePhoto, on Flickr Amtrak Mt Jefferson Cascades Set, Cascades Service - White Rock Beach by MileagePhoto, on Flickr
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Post by Mike C on Mar 18, 2014 11:33:31 GMT -8
This morning, Amtrak and the FRA awarded the contract for new diesel high-speed locomotives to Siemens USA. The locomotives will be of their 'Charger' series, similar to what already exists in Europe. They will be similar in appearance to the 'City Sprinters' currently being rolled out on the Northeast Corridor, except without the overhead gantry. In addition to Washington's Amtrak Cascades service, these locomotives will be used in California, Chicago and the Midwest. Illinois Department of Transportation led the procurement for six other state DOTs. They will be built at Siemens USA facility in California. Press release from Siemens USA: news.usa.siemens.biz/press-release/infrastructure-cities/siemens-awarded-225-million-contract-multi-state-passenger-rail-
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Post by paulvanb on Mar 18, 2014 20:01:16 GMT -8
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Post by Scott on Mar 21, 2014 15:34:17 GMT -8
Amtrak is cutting back on perks for sleeping car passengers:
- John H
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Post by Mike C on May 26, 2014 22:04:18 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on Oct 11, 2014 22:19:19 GMT -8
Here are a few photos of Amtrak's west bound Empire Builder en route to Seattle via J.J. Hill's one-time Great Northern Railway (now BNSF's Scenic Subdivision). The first two photos show the train approaching the east portal of the Cascade Tunnel under Stevens Pass. The third photo is from further west near Skykomish, Washington. These were seen & photographed by me on 10 October 2014. All photos © WCK-JST by Wett Coast, on Flickr
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Post by Scott on Oct 12, 2014 20:42:17 GMT -8
Has anyone taken the Empire Builder? From what I've heard, it's not as popular or as scenic as the more southern cross-continental routes, but it must go through some spectacular scenery through the Rockies and Cascades.
- John H
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Post by R30A on Nov 18, 2014 8:55:05 GMT -8
The Builder is nice, however the scenery of the Southwest Chief and especially the California Zephyr make both of the central routes more appealing in my view. However the Columbia River branch of the Builder is fantastic as well.
The two southern routes are also usually cheaper than the Builder, and the Chief especially is a lot more reliable.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jun 6, 2015 17:58:58 GMT -8
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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Post by FNS on Jun 6, 2015 23:57:47 GMT -8
By the way, Seattle should be seeing something new in the Coast Starlight and Empire Builder (the Seattle branch) train consists in the months ahead. I'll keep you in suspense and let you see it for yourself whenever it appears.
If anyone gives a correct clue on this thread, however, I'll tell you what it is.
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Post by Mike C on Jun 7, 2015 8:48:37 GMT -8
By the way, Seattle should be seeing something new in the Coast Starlight and Empire Builder (the Seattle branch) train consists in the months ahead. I'll keep you in suspense and let you see it for yourself whenever it appears. If anyone gives a correct clue on this thread, however, I'll tell you what it is. Internet forums are the ultimate breeding ground for speculation, but I recall seeing photos of one of the new roll-on bike carrier cars in Spokane. Is this what you have in mind?
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 7, 2015 11:26:35 GMT -8
By the way, Seattle should be seeing something new in the Coast Starlight and Empire Builder (the Seattle branch) train consists in the months ahead. I'll keep you in suspense and let you see it for yourself whenever it appears. If anyone gives a correct clue on this thread, however, I'll tell you what it is. Internet forums are the ultimate breeding ground for speculation, but I recall seeing photos of one of the new roll-on bike carrier cars in Spokane. Is this what you have in mind? Here's a link H E R E
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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Post by FNS on Jun 7, 2015 15:36:36 GMT -8
Internet forums are the ultimate breeding ground for speculation, but I recall seeing photos of one of the new roll-on bike carrier cars in Spokane. Is this what you have in mind? Here's a link H E R EYou two are getting very close. One hint I'll give you is that this new rolling stock equipment measures about 85 feet long.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jun 7, 2015 16:56:57 GMT -8
You two are getting very close. One hint I'll give you is that this new rolling stock equipment measures about 85 feet long. New Bilevel cars for the trains or brand new engines. I love that you take your bike on a Inter-city train. I find it kinda of funny.
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Post by Mike on Jun 7, 2015 17:59:21 GMT -8
Based on recent photos I've seen through railfan circles, I'm going to guess it is the new baggage cars.
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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Post by FNS on Jun 7, 2015 20:42:40 GMT -8
Based on recent photos I've seen through railfan circles, I'm going to guess it is the new baggage cars. Right, you are! Amtrak is getting a lot of new rolling stock for its eastern services as well as its long distance service across the country. These are called VIEWLINER II's. Four variations are being built: VIEWLINER II BAGGAGE (ALL LONG DISTANCE SERVICES) VIEWLINER II BAGGAGE DORM (EAST COAST SINGLE LEVEL SERVICES) VIEWLINER II DINING (EAST COAST SINGLE LEVEL SERVICES) VIEWLINER II SLEEPING (EAST COAST SINGLE LEVEL SERVICES) All four types follow an identical body shape. Only the interiors are different as well as a few under car and exterior details. These follow most of the design of the original VIEWLINER I sleepers and lone dining car. Amtrak is retiring its fleet of heritage baggage and dining cars. They may be off the active roster by the end of this year(2015), if all goes well with the new equipment. Do an internet search for "viewliner" to see lots of photos and go to youtube.com to get videos. Here's one with a "parade" of shiny new baggage cars:
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