likes trains Wrote:
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> I wonder if a Talgo trainset from Pasco to Seattle
> via Yakima, Ellensburg and Stampede Pass would
> have business?

Here's an idea:

Dump the Portland Section of the Empire Builder, and use the savings in labor/fuel to run a daytime Seattle-Spokane train via Yakima.

You'd gain ridership from Ellensburg and Yakima, and likely a lot more ridership from the Tri-Cities because the train would have a better schedule. You'd also gain Spokane ridership who could now depart for Seattle in the morning rather than at 1:30 AM, and could arrive in Spokane much earlier in the evening.

You'd lose ridership from Bingen-White Salmon (3,081 riders) and Wishram (1,300 riders). Stick them on a bus Vancouver-Tri-Cities.

Seems like a good tradeoff to me. And it's something that could be done much quicker...although the PTC would need to be installed. No need for Talgo equipment (frankly, the "Talgo" experience is far overrated...)

Portland riders could choose to ride a train to Seattle to catch the EB, or take the bus to Tri-Cities and catch a train to Spokane, and then transfer to the EB...