Monday Info Meeting on Amtrak Cascades Schedule Change

(I know, that's the Coast Starlight)

Amtrak is making an important change to the Cascades schedule, and there's a meeting tomorrow, Monday the 23rd, to present more on it.

From ODOT/Amtrak:

The state of Washington is adding two new round trips on the Amtrak Cascades train route between Portland and Seattle, and these additions are prompting schedule updates that will allow Oregon trains to meet the new arrivals and departures. Part of this change means the Monday – Friday morning southbound train from Portland will now leave at 9:45 a.m. instead of 6:00 a.m....

The 6:00 a.m. train departure will move to a 9:45 a.m. departure to line up with Washington trains (Mon-Fri); Sat-Sun-Holidays will change from 9:35 a.m. departure to 12:30 p.m. departure. [italics added]

Commuters who have been using the morning Portland to Salem trip, will have to change. No word on whether a bus will replace that service or whether those who rely on that trip are SOL.

Apparently the regular count of morning passengers from Portland south is paltry compared to the demand for Portland-Seattle connections.

A northbound trip from Eugene is also affected, though to a much lesser degree:

The 4 p.m. train departure will move to a 4:30 p.m. departure to line up with Washington trains (all days).

These changes will be effective on December 18th of this year.

The informational meeting runs from 6:30pm to 7:30pm on Monday the 23rd at the Salem Depot. (Which seems a little odd, as people who use the service will have been on the northbound train, departing a little after 5pm!)

Baggage Depot is getting close! (earlier this month)

If you go, while you're at it you can check out progress on the Baggage Depot, which is coming along, and the end is in sight!