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I am wondering as to why there isn't Cascades service from Vancouver, BC to Portland w/o having to connect and/or stay overnight in Seattle. It is a bit inconvenient for people living in Vancouver who want to take the train down to Seattle/Portland w/o having to take a bus to connect with run from Bellingham, and visa versa. Or they could run the Coast Starlight up to Vancouver, BC.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Why, Mr. PG Rail, would Washington (state), which sponsors the Cascade service wish to divert jobs to Canada for servicing one set of equipment? Eastblishing a maintenance facility at Vancouver would simply add expense to the opersation.
At present, one set of Talgo equipment is dispatched in the AM from Seattle, which sits inside a "cage" at the CN Station during its layover, then is dispatched back to Seattle during the afternoon.
George Harris Member # 2077
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The track between Vancouver and the border also is relatively slow and I understand to need some additional sidings, etc. to be able to handle additional passenger trains. Washington state is not going to spend money in Canada and BC is not going to spend money for what they see as convenience of the Americans.
pgrail Member # 3877
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I could understand why Washington state would not to pay for additonal service to Canada, but the BC government might- don't forget, Vancouver is hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics and the Cascades would be an excellent way for people in Washington and Oregon to come up and see the Olympics. Having additonal train service to Vancouver from the States would be beneficial for attracting more people to go to Vancouver in 2010.
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