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Amtrak Cascades Quick Facts
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More than 600,000 passengers ride Amtrak Cascades each year. Amtrak Cascades continues
to rank near the top of Amtrak's 42-route national system for customer
satisfaction.
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Built by Talgo, General Motors, and Pacifica Marine, the European-style trains
are sleek, modern, and feature distinctive evergreen and cappuccino hues on a
cream background.
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Hidden beneath the 7-foot-tall tail fins at both ends of the train are baggage
and service cars (they supply the air conditioning, electricity and lights).
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Each train car contains power generators that support video, air conditioning,
lights and kitchen equipment.
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Panoramic windows and natural tones inside the train are designed to showcase
the spectacular Pacific Northwest views.
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Amtrak Cascades trains are designed for high-speed rail service (current
track and safety systems limit the trains to a top speed of 79 mph).
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Each Amtrak Cascades train typically consists of 12 cars and seats up to
244 passengers, with space for four mobility-impaired passengers.
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The unique style of locomotive can push or pull Amtrak Cascades trains.
When trains reach the end of their route, crews turn passenger seats around and
the train heads back the way it came.
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Amtrak Cascades locomotives feature low-emission production,
computer-controlled fuel injection, an aerodynamic body style for low drag, and
a specially designed cab to insulate the crew from noise and vibration.
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Amtrak Cascades trains feature a special technology that utilizes
gravity to tilt through curves while speed is maintained. This technology
shortens the trip between Seattle, WA and Portland, OR by 25 minutes.
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