We’d like to invite you to share your stories from the last 10 years with us: Did you take the train for a weekend you still talk about? Head to Seattle for a Seahawks game and still hear the cheers echoing? Maybe you got engaged on board? In addition, watch for promotions and special events throughout the year for adults and children alike—and of course, join us on board.
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National Train Day - May 9, 2009
On May 9, the second annual National Train Day was held to celebrate the birth of the American railroad, with events scheduled across the nation and locally in Seattle and Portland. The National Train Day event in Seattle featured a guest appearance by J.P. Patches, musical entertainment and dancing, vendor booths, and a 10th anniversary celebration for Amtrak Cascades. The well attended event also featured speakers from Amtrak, the city of Leavenworth, All Aboard Washington, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), and a representative from Governor Gregoire's office who read a special letter from the Governor congratulating WSDOT and Amtrak Cascades. Special 10th anniversary pins and posters were distributed to all in attendance. The 10th anniversary celebration culminated with a special cake that was brought out and representatives from WSDOT and Amtrak shared in the ceremonial cake cutting. After the cake cutting, guests were treated to birthday cupcakes.
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History
1993
- Amtrak begins offering one daily Seattle-Portland round-trip.
1994
- In April, Washington State leases a Spanish-built Talgo train and contracts with Amtrak to provide a second daily round trip between Seattle and Portland.
1995
- After a 14-year hiatus, WSDOT and Amtrak reintroduces service between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. in May. WSDOT sponsors this daily round trip.
- In October, Oregon State sponsors an extension of existing daily Seattle-Portland Amtrak service to add stops in Salem, Albany, and Eugene.
- Renovation of Fairhaven Station in Bellingham completed.
- Restoration of the Kelso Multimodal Transportation Center is completed.
1996
- Talgo, Inc. wins the contract to build new, custom-designed trains for Washington State and Amtrak for use on the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor.
- The daily Seattle-Vancouver, BC service is named Amtrak’s “Train of the Year” for customer satisfaction.
1997
- For the second year in a row, the daily Seattle-Vancouver, BC service is named Amtrak’s “Train of the Year” for customer satisfaction.
1998
- In May, U.S. federal government and railroad officials approve more extensive use of Talgo train technology in the Pacific Northwest. As a result, travel time between Seattle and Portland is reduced by 25 minutes.
- A third daily round trip between Seattle and Portland is added.
1999
- New Amtrak Cascades service, featuring new custom-built Talgo trains and improved customer service and amenities, debuts on all Pacific Northwest Amtrak routes.
- New daily round trip service between Seattle and Bellingham added September 1999.
2000
- A second daily Seattle-Portland round trip was extended south to Eugene and sponsored by the state of Oregon.
2001
- A new Amtrak station-stop begins service in Tukwila, Washington. This station developed in partnership with Sound Transit commuter rail will provide improved access for travelers who live in suburbs east and south of Seattle, and offer convenient connections to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
2002
- Planning begins for renovating Seattle’s historic King Street Station into a modern transportation hub, connecting Amtrak Cascades service to commuter rail, light rail, local transit, and other services.
- New Everett Station opens.
- Remodeling completed at Centralia’s Union Depot.
2003
- Renovation on Seattle’s King Street Station begins.
- WSDOT purchases third Amtrak Cascades trainset from Talgo to maintain current schedules and pave the way for service expansions.
2004
- Amtrak Cascades begins stopping at Mount Vernon’s new Skagit Station in September.
- Amtrak Cascades begins stopping at new station in Oregon City, OR.
2005
- King Street Station renovations continue.
2006
- Fourth daily round trip between Seattle and Portland added in July.
2007
- Interior refurbishment begins on all Amtrak Cascades trains. All trains will be outfitted with new leather seating surfaces, updated interior color schemes and paneling, and new flooring. When completed in 2008, their service life will be extended to approximately 2029.
2008
- New connecting bus service added connecting Everett, Mount Vernon, and Bellingham to trains arriving and departing in Seattle.