Your train on the way down was a talgo (spanish company) series 8 built only 10-15 years ago. They don't seem very well maintained though, and only a few trainsets of that type exist. The horizon fleet you had on the way back are much more common and it was built between 1988 and 1990. Probably renovated in the meantime though. It used to be heavily served by talgo series 6 but after a derailment and NTSB report they were withdrawn from service in 2020. The long term plan is to replace these trains with amtrak siemens venture cars, similar to those you see on Czech and Austrian railways. A few weeks back I did SAN -> SEA by train which was cool, but delayed by 6 hours and I had to sleep in my chair for a night.
I am glad you chose to do a video on Amtrak. The train lines from Eugene to Vancouver are among the top corridors in the country. We definitely need to invest in high speed rail in this country, but we should also look for ways to cut down on delays. Freight takes priority on the rails.
Yea, the speed is laughable compared to other countries train systems (going 300km an hour in Spain last summer was amazing!), but it's still nice to have it as an option, especially to cities like Portland where you don't really need a car for a short trip.
Thanks so much, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I love train travel so I'm excited to start experiencing it here in the US. What have been some of your favorite train journeys?
Try taking a compartment on the coast starlight and take it all the way to Los Angeles. There’s beautiful scenery. Also, another train trip is the California zephyr from Emeryville to Denver. Again beautiful scenery.
I was looking at doing that maybe later this summer, but the prices for compartments are a bit steep! I'll have to keep an eye on the prices and see if I can snag a deal for later in the year.
I took that train about 2 years ago! Unfortunately, when I arrived there was a huge line to get on the train so I spent my 20 minutes or so just standing in line and I wasn't able to explore or appreciate the station in Seattle. I was actually going a bit further south to Albany, OR and we had a half-hour pause just south of Portland for some reason. But, I wasn't in a hurry and I had a book so it was just fine. I do wish that the service ran a bit more frequently and was more predictable.
Yes, the lines are a bit of a pain - I'd rather just pick my seat when I book and then get on the train when it's time. But otherwise, it was a nice leisurely experience as you say. If you're not in a rush, it's pretty pleasant.
The only Amtrak I have done was from Boston MA to Stamford CT 2 or 3 times to visit clients. Two return trains had problems: one had no electricity during lightening storm and one was canceled leaving me to find a rental car to get home. I used Mohegan Sun Casino as a "pit stop" with dinner and winnings!! That was it for 6 months of visits I drove down (from NH) on Sunday having lunch at casino and back on Thurs having dinner at casino. Did not always gamble, great restaurants and people watching and wicked clean bathrooms.
@@laura-bronner LOL, I guess I missed that. Washington. hahaha The Amtrak comes up the Gorge from Portland, through Tri cites (my town) then up to Spokane, then on out eastward. :-)
Vancouver WA looks like such a beautiful part of the state! I'll have to stop there at some point. I'm really loving all of the PNW explorations at the moment with lots more to come!
Im from Portland. I love a love/hate relationship LOL, hate the weather and huge influx of people, thankful for the green. Never understood what the hype is about the food, always felt its mediocre. My favorite food spots one is a chain and one is a south american restaurant. Still hope you have a great experience!
hahaha it's funny you say that.... I have been three times now and I sort of agree. I don't fully get the hype, but my next video is all about sampling the food scene. I keep thinking maybe I am just going to the wrong places? It just got rated top 20 food cities in the world?!
@@laura-bronner Theres lots of "little spots" in many areas of the city that have local restaurants...its the ambience and the feeling, and being in "cool neighborhoods" not the actual taste LOL. My fav is a south american place called fuego de grille in Clackamas by the mall and Changs mongolian grill! Have fun
A lot of smells 😅 I always forget to look at train options, so thanks for the reminder. I’ve only been on Amtrak twice, from Vancouver to Seattle and Savannah to Tampa. All I really remember were that there were delays. But, it is nice that you can get up and walk around and stretch your legs on a train.
Yea, it is nice to be able to have a little bit more space than you would if you were flying and of course way more than if you're driving. The views out of the window were pretty nice too. And yea... do not sit near the bathroom AND the garbage.
This was my first train trip of this kind in the US. I've taken commuter trains in New York, but never longer-haul like this - but lots of train experiences in Europe. Overall, this was not quite as good as those.
I've taken the train from Portland to Seattle plenty of times. I like to zone out to music and look out the window. It's a decent alternative to driving for sure. I find Amtrak kind of dirty like a Greyhound bus ride.
hahaha I haven't taken a Greyhound in the US but I can only imagine 😂 The train was certainly not spotless but I've been on worse in Eastern Europe and the UK. It was a middle of the line experience I would say.
Your train on the way down was a talgo (spanish company) series 8 built only 10-15 years ago. They don't seem very well maintained though, and only a few trainsets of that type exist. The horizon fleet you had on the way back are much more common and it was built between 1988 and 1990. Probably renovated in the meantime though. It used to be heavily served by talgo series 6 but after a derailment and NTSB report they were withdrawn from service in 2020. The long term plan is to replace these trains with amtrak siemens venture cars, similar to those you see on Czech and Austrian railways.
A few weeks back I did SAN -> SEA by train which was cool, but delayed by 6 hours and I had to sleep in my chair for a night.
Wow a 6 hour delay, yikes! Thanks for the information about the different trains! Interesting to learn about why they were so different!
I am glad you chose to do a video on Amtrak. The train lines from Eugene to Vancouver are among the top corridors in the country. We definitely need to invest in high speed rail in this country, but we should also look for ways to cut down on delays. Freight takes priority on the rails.
Yea, the speed is laughable compared to other countries train systems (going 300km an hour in Spain last summer was amazing!), but it's still nice to have it as an option, especially to cities like Portland where you don't really need a car for a short trip.
I love your vlog Laura! Trains are my passion.Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I love train travel so I'm excited to start experiencing it here in the US. What have been some of your favorite train journeys?
@@laura-bronner I traveled by train every summer for 6 years.Interrail,all over Europe.Amazing experience!
Try taking a compartment on the coast starlight and take it all the way to Los Angeles. There’s beautiful scenery. Also, another train trip is the California zephyr from Emeryville to Denver. Again beautiful scenery.
I was looking at doing that maybe later this summer, but the prices for compartments are a bit steep! I'll have to keep an eye on the prices and see if I can snag a deal for later in the year.
I took that train about 2 years ago! Unfortunately, when I arrived there was a huge line to get on the train so I spent my 20 minutes or so just standing in line and I wasn't able to explore or appreciate the station in Seattle. I was actually going a bit further south to Albany, OR and we had a half-hour pause just south of Portland for some reason. But, I wasn't in a hurry and I had a book so it was just fine. I do wish that the service ran a bit more frequently and was more predictable.
Yes, the lines are a bit of a pain - I'd rather just pick my seat when I book and then get on the train when it's time. But otherwise, it was a nice leisurely experience as you say. If you're not in a rush, it's pretty pleasant.
The only Amtrak I have done was from Boston MA to Stamford CT 2 or 3 times to visit clients. Two return trains had problems: one had no electricity during lightening storm and one was canceled leaving me to find a rental car to get home. I used Mohegan Sun Casino as a "pit stop" with dinner and winnings!! That was it for 6 months of visits I drove down (from NH) on Sunday having lunch at casino and back on Thurs having dinner at casino. Did not always gamble, great restaurants and people watching and wicked clean bathrooms.
oh dear, those don't sound like great experiences! We used to go to Mohegan Sun during college, a very fun place to spend some time for sure!
Haven't been on a long train trip in US. Thanks for showing this, Laura. Would like to try the Pacific Surfliner in California someday.
Cool , you're in my state, I'm on the Eastside though. 🙂 Enjoy beautiful Laura!
In Oregon? Or in Washington?
@@laura-bronner LOL, I guess I missed that. Washington. hahaha The Amtrak comes up the Gorge from Portland, through Tri cites (my town) then up to Spokane, then on out eastward. :-)
Insightful and informative review...thank you for the "First Impressions" video.
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks so much for taking the time to comment :)
I've been following you since Mexico, but I love seeing you check out things in the PNW. I'm from Vancouver, WA. Enjoy it here!
Vancouver WA looks like such a beautiful part of the state! I'll have to stop there at some point. I'm really loving all of the PNW explorations at the moment with lots more to come!
Thanks for your video!
Im from Portland. I love a love/hate relationship LOL, hate the weather and huge influx of people, thankful for the green. Never understood what the hype is about the food, always felt its mediocre. My favorite food spots one is a chain and one is a south american restaurant. Still hope you have a great experience!
hahaha it's funny you say that.... I have been three times now and I sort of agree. I don't fully get the hype, but my next video is all about sampling the food scene. I keep thinking maybe I am just going to the wrong places? It just got rated top 20 food cities in the world?!
@@laura-bronner Theres lots of "little spots" in many areas of the city that have local restaurants...its the ambience and the feeling, and being in "cool neighborhoods" not the actual taste LOL. My fav is a south american place called fuego de grille in Clackamas by the mall and Changs mongolian grill! Have fun
Hey Laura, if you guys are making your way down to San Francisco let me know and I will give you the locals tour! 😊🍻🌉
It's definitely on my list! Hopefully later this year!
Thanks for sharing
A lot of smells 😅 I always forget to look at train options, so thanks for the reminder. I’ve only been on Amtrak twice, from Vancouver to Seattle and Savannah to Tampa. All I really remember were that there were delays. But, it is nice that you can get up and walk around and stretch your legs on a train.
Yea, it is nice to be able to have a little bit more space than you would if you were flying and of course way more than if you're driving. The views out of the window were pretty nice too. And yea... do not sit near the bathroom AND the garbage.
Did trains for years in Italy & Germany, never USA
This was my first train trip of this kind in the US. I've taken commuter trains in New York, but never longer-haul like this - but lots of train experiences in Europe. Overall, this was not quite as good as those.
I've taken the train from Portland to Seattle plenty of times. I like to zone out to music and look out the window. It's a decent alternative to driving for sure. I find Amtrak kind of dirty like a Greyhound bus ride.
hahaha I haven't taken a Greyhound in the US but I can only imagine 😂 The train was certainly not spotless but I've been on worse in Eastern Europe and the UK. It was a middle of the line experience I would say.
Welcome to my hood. PNW
I'm loving it so far!
SMELLS ? I'm Out.
😂
Don't bother on Portland videos