Air-operated glass doors separate the cars. In the Bistro food car, an electric eye automatically operates the door to the coach car, making it easier for passengers to carry their purchases back to their seats. Stainless steel surfaces, Corian counters, pale pink walls and bar seats covered with a deep lavender fabric give the Bistro car a jazzy, sophisticated look. Running the length of the ceiling is a map of the entire 466-mile Amtrak Pacific Corridor route, stretching from Vancouver, B.C., to Eugene. Adjacent to the Bistro car is the lounge with Corian-topped tables and chairs.
Passengers can eat their food there or carry it back to their seats.
On the Seattle-Vancouver, B.C., run, passengers can enjoy full meals in the lounge car with table service. There's even space at some of the tables in the lounge car for wheelchairs to roll right up to them. Wide aisles make it easy to get around. Amtrak Cascades is a high-speed train with a potential of 115 mph. At present, however, it travels at the same speed as other Amtrak trains, with a maximum of 79 mph.