Talgo Train Tailfins

'59 Cadillacs everywhere are green with envy!

Thanks.  Very interesting.  I've been on it only one time, ever, and didn't know about those transition cars.  

I have been on this train many times between Seattle and Portland. I would not call the train exactly slow. The iPhone app regularly clocks the train at 82-85 mph. There are a few spots where the train slows down; especially right before the the train goes through the tunnel at the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Even so, the train is at least competitive with driving.  

Pretty neat looking.

I think that this train should pass through Nashville. 

Maybe it's just the Eugene to Portland segment that has a padded schedule.

If I recall correctly, most of the trains from Seattle do not go all the way to Eugene. Rather, the Cascades goes to Portland and then its a bus that goes to Eugene.

I think that there are one or two Cascades trains that go from Seattle to Eugene and then one Coast Starlight. The Coast Starlight is much slower than the Cascades; at least from Seattle to Portland. I made the mistake of catching the Coast Starlight on one of my trips to Portland.

Would make a cool Batman train.

Here is the rundown on current Talgo train schedules in the Northwest:

Vancouver BC - Seattle: 2 round trips daily

Seattle - Portland: 4 round trips daily

Portland - Eugene: 2 round trips daily

Some of these Talgo trains run through, for example:
Vancouver BC - Seattle - Portland: 1 round trip daily
Seattle - Portland - Eugene: 1 round trip daily

In addition, the Coast Starlight Superliner train runs Seattle - Portland - Eugene - Oakland - LA, 1 RT daily.

The printed 2014 schedules for the "Northwest Corridor" say:
"New trains are running along the Amtrak Cascades corridor ..."
A picture shows what looks like a newer custom-built control cab end car for the Talgo train, presumably to replace the older de-engined F40 control cabs. That configuration eliminates one of the "transition cars" with the "big fins".

I asked a station agent about Talgo trains running without a control cab on the trailing end, and he said that rarely happens.

The average scheduled speeds are not too spectacular, for example:
Seattle - Portland is 187 miles, most schedules about 3 hours 50 minutes.
Average speed 49 MPH, that includes 6 intermediate stops on double track with freight trains.

Interstate highway speeds are 70 MPH in Washington state, 65MPH in Oregon.

The new Talgos with the cab car are owned by the state of Oregon and just went into service in January.  I've seen the old sets operate with the usual Cascade painted F59PH, California service painted F59PH, Genesis units and a couple times with a GE 8-32BWH.  And I have seen them with Genesis units on both ends as well.  Guess the usual F40 cab car was out of service.