At noon today, I took Amtrak’s Cascades service from Portland up to Seattle, about a three-and-a-half hour ride. And it’s a nice ride … the scenery isn’t spectacular, but it is nice, especially the last hour when the train runs along the shore of Puget Sound. The Tacoma Narrows Bridge is an interesting landmark…
PORTLAND–The last of my eight train rides–Seattle to Portland today–was to be the frosting on the cake: a relaxing five-hour ride in the Coast Starlight’s parlor car. Alas, it was not to be. In fact, it was a complete flop. Because of a bridge failure, the Coast Starlight with its Pacific Parlour Car is temporarily…
I’m sure there are veteran train travelers out there who will disagree, who will have their own particular favorite train for viewing the Fall colors. But for my money, acknowledging the Adirondack as Number One, my next two choices would be the Downeaster and the Cardinal. (Yes, yes, I know … I’ve omitted the Maple…
Ask almost anyone into transportation issues which City in the country is the most enlightened and progressive when it comes to transportation infrastructure and I’ll bet that 90 percent would say Portland, Oregon. When it comes to getting around a fairly large city without a car, Portland has it figured out. There’s a light rail…