[SpongeG]

great news lets hope it stays after the Olympics :tup:

Second daily Amtrak train to Vancouver, B.C., starts Aug. 19

Long-delayed second train to from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C., will run at least through the Winter Olympics in February

By Kristin Jackson

Seattle Times Travel staff

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Amtrak Cascades will start a second daily round-trip train from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C., on Aug. 19th.

The Washington State Department of Transportation announced the start date Wednesday. The long-awaited service will run at least through the 2010 Winter Olympics in February in Vancouver.

Amtrak was ready to begin the second round-trip train about a year ago, but Canada's insistence that the railway cover $1,500 (Canadian) a day in costs for customs staff in Vancouver derailed the plan.

That fee has now been waived, at least for the next seven months, by the Canada Border Services Agency after pressure from train supporters and officials on both sides of the border.

The new train will make it easier for business travelers and vacationers from Western Washington to take quick trips to Vancouver. It will be especially convenient for travelers to B.C. during the Feb. 12-28, 2010, Winter Olympics, since vehicle border crossings will be busy and private vehicles will be restricted in much of downtown Vancouver.

It also will be convenient for travelers from Portland who will be able to get to Vancouver on one train (the new train originates in Portland). Previously there was a lengthy delay and train change in Seattle.

The new service will begin the evening of Aug. 19th with a northbound train from Seattle.

Trains will leave from Seattle for Vancouver at 7.40 a.m. (current train) and 6.50 p.m. (the new train) daily.

Trains will depart Vancouver at 6.40 a.m. (new train) and 5.45 p.m. (current train). The trip takes about four hours one-way.

Amtrak Cascades is operated by Amtrak in partnership with the Washington and Oregon Departments of Transportation. More information at www.amtrakcascades.com

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2009648652_webamtrak12.html

[SpongeG]

we can now get to Portland and probably beyond in one day!!

Second Amtrak Cascades train to Vancouver, B.C. begins service August 19

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Transportation announced today that the long awaited second daily Amtrak Cascades train between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. will begin service on Wednesday, August 19, 2009.

The Canadian government approved the second train service on July 3 as a pilot project to start as soon as August 1 until after the 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games. WSDOT worked with Amtrak, BNSF Railway, U.S. Customs, and other stakeholders to get the additional Amtrak Cascades service operational as soon as possible.

With the addition of this second train service, travelers from Oregon will now have direct round-trip service between Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, B.C.

“Amtrak typically needs 90 days to start up service, so getting the second roundtrip train to B.C. going so quickly is a major accomplishment for everyone involved,” said Paula Hammond, Washington Transportation Secretary. “The August launch of the new service will give us a chance to encourage travelers to take advantage of this new service.”

The second Amtrak Cascades train service will begin on August 19 with a northbound arrival from Portland, Oregon into Vancouver, B.C. at approximately 10:45 p.m. The next morning, the southbound Amtrak Cascades train will depart Vancouver, B.C. at 6:40 a.m. arriving in Portland at 2:45 p.m.

The current daily Seattle to Vancouver, B.C. route has also seen the return of Amtrak Cascades Talgo trains that have been missing from this leg of the route since summer 2008. The Talgo trains were substituted with Amtrak Superliner trains while WSDOT and Amtrak completed a refurbishment of the train interiors.

Amtrak Cascades consists of four daily round-trips between Portland and Seattle, with service between Bellingham and Portland, via Seattle; between Eugene and Seattle, via Portland; and between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. Amtrak Cascades is operated by Amtrak in partnership with the Washington and Oregon Departments of Transportation.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/updates/story/842797.html

[seaskyfan]

Looks like they're extending the trains that currently end service in Bellingham.

Great news, although it would be nice to have a midday option. Maybe when they add a 3rd train?