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. When the Talgo train started five years ago, travel time between Seattle and Portland was three hours and 55 minutes. Additional track work and upgrading of signals will lower the time even more. Current travel time for the once-daily train between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., is three hours and 55 minutes.