Matt Farnsworth Wrote:
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> The Seattle section uncouples,
> does a quick brake test and departs, leaving the
> Portland section dark (without HEP power). The
> locomotive in the stub track moves back & couples
> up, connects HEP, does a brake test. While the
> Portland locomotive is getting coupled up
> passengers for the Portland section are
> boarding/detraining and getting baggage stowed.
> Portland section does a brake test, departs.

Might I add this process is really wonderful for the passengers who arrive in Spokane in the months of November through March and are travelling to/from Portland, being aboard a train with absolutely no heat for two hours while it's zero degrees outside. I can attest having done this several times those Superliners don't have much in the way of insulation and the cars get cold VERY quickly.

What's worse, is looking out the window and seeing a 480v house panel right on the platform that the train COULD plug into to provide heat, minimizing the time the train is without heat. But silly Amtrak, that takes too much effort!

Or...figure out a way to do it in less than two hours. But as I saw in Los Angeles just last weekend, nothing happens quickly at Amtrak.