Passenger Trains > Oregon to buy new TALGO trainsets

New train cars will enhance passenger train service in the Willamette Valley

The Oregon Department of Transportation has negotiated the purchase of two new passenger trains from Talgo-America. Each train seats 285 people and will provide continued Amtrak Cascades passenger service in the Pacific Northwest rail corridor between Eugene and Vancouver, British Columbia.

The trains, which cost $36.6 million, will be assembled at a new Talgo plant in Wisconsin with a majority of American-made components. There are 13 cars per train. The Oregon Transportation Commission approved use of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus funds for the purchase on July 23, 2009. By pooling the train purchase with Wisconsin, Oregon saved about $6 million.

Oregon’s current passenger rail service relies on trains owned by the Washington state and Amtrak. As Washington state fulfills its plans to increase daily Portland-Seattle service, the trains would no longer be available to Oregon.

“The commission’s decision to buy trains will assure continued passenger rail service in the Willamette Valley and provide the potential for increased service in Oregon at some future date,” said ODOT Director Matthew Garrett.

When delivered in 2012, the Oregon-owned trains will join five older Talgo-America train sets; Washington state owns three, and Amtrak owns two.

Amtrak’s Cascades and long-distance train services have a positive effect on the economy. Each year they purchase $1.2 million worth of goods and services and sustain 73 Oregon jobs paying $4.77 million in wages. Eventual expansion of Portland-Eugene service will require adding more jobs and purchasing more goods and services.

“This is a significant step forward for Oregon and the Pacific Northwest,” said President and Chief Executive Officer of Talgo-America Antonio Perez. “These new trains will greatly enhance service in Oregon and on the entire Cascades corridor.”

“Amtrak applauds ODOT’s forthcoming procurement of Talgo equipment,” said Joe McHugh, Amtrak’s vice president of government affairs and corporate communications. “Since the debut of the Amtrak Cascades in 1999, we have created strong partnerships with Oregon, Washington and Talgo to provide reliable, attractive and environmentally friendly intercity rail service in the corridor,” he said.

Since 1994, ridership has increased 823 percent on Cascades trains. In Oregon, more than 186,000 passengers rode trains in 2008.

The new trains will be updated versions of Talgo-made trains presently serving the Northwest. Amenities include WiFi capability, a Bistro (food and beverage) car, a business class section with roomier seats, and baggage car bicycle racks. Although the corridor’s current top speed is 79 mph, the new trains are designed to run up to 125 mph. Any diesel-electric locomotive can pull them.


Source: ODOT

Press Release is here...

http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/COMM/nr10022601.shtml

Just the passenger car consist it would appear. I assume there is
some cash (credit) left over for motive power?

There was talk on Wisconsin purchasing from TALGO a full set, including
the TALGO engine(s). I believe I got a look at one and the current
"winged" US built engines actually seem more aesthetically pleasing as
the TALGO engines didn't seem to flow as one would expect.

Are there any plans for WA or OR to purchase TALGO engines and if not,
what is the likely power for the new sets for Oregon?

/Mitch

I seem to recall the ex-Go Transit F59PH locomotives being part of the mid-range plan...?

F40PHR231 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I seem to recall the ex-Go Transit F59PH
> locomotives being part of the mid-range plan...?


That's what I recall as well Chris. I e-mailed ODOT on it...

I'd personally think it would be better if they went with the BT locomotives...

This does not sound like they would also commit to extending the Tri-Met DMU to Eugene some day.

Cheers to ODOT and Talgo!!!

MC

I would think they want more seating.

Only a few years ago, it appeared the Portland-Eugene section of the Cascade Corridor was at risk of not running. Hopefully the purchase of these Talgo train sets will help to remove the risk. I always thought that ODOT should have continued its operations of running a train from Portland, OR to Astoria (but originating/terminating in Portland). Even perhaps as seasonal service, as the one main artery from Portland to Astoria/Canon Beach is a busy one at best! Amtrak does operate a Thruway bus to Astoria, but a train would be better - along upgraded track etc.

jp1822 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Only a few years ago, it appeared the
> Portland-Eugene section of the Cascade Corridor
> was at risk of not running. Hopefully the purchase
> of these Talgo train sets will help to remove the
> risk. I always thought that ODOT should have
> continued its operations of running a train from
> Portland, OR to Astoria (but
> originating/terminating in Portland). Even perhaps
> as seasonal service, as the one main artery from
> Portland to Astoria/Canon Beach is a busy one at
> best! Amtrak does operate a Thruway bus to
> Astoria, but a train would be better - along
> upgraded track etc.

The line that the Lewis & Clark excursion ran on is washed out for about 1/2 mile about 15 miles east of Astoria.. Other than that, upgrade it some more and you could have the run from Portland/Linnton to Astoria in under 3 hours..


SP8100

SP8100 Wrote:
> The line that the Lewis & Clark excursion ran on
> is washed out for about 1/2 mile about 15 miles
> east of Astoria..

It's being repaired.

I have always been disappointed that ODOT Rail didn't do a after action report on the Lewis & Clark Explorer's three years of operation. The lessions learned, I believe, would be helpful going forward. My understanding is that the three year project lost money and that the objectives of the Astoria chamber of commerce and ODOT were never fully compatible. Overnight visitors versus filling trains being one of the issues.
It is going to be very hard to maintain a viable railroad west of Wauna when there is no freight traffic. At some point the Port of Astoria may have to step up and purchase the line between Tongue Point and Wauna in order to maintain the economic selling point of port rail service.
Arlen

Mgoldman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Just the passenger car consist it would appear. I
> assume there is
> some cash (credit) left over for motive power?
>
> There was talk on Wisconsin purchasing from TALGO
> a full set, including
> the TALGO engine(s). I believe I got a look at
> one and the current
> "winged" US built engines actually seem more
> aesthetically pleasing as
> the TALGO engines didn't seem to flow as one would
> expect.
>
> Are there any plans for WA or OR to purchase TALGO
> engines and if not,
> what is the likely power for the new sets for
> Oregon?
>
> /Mitch


Wisconsin is buying 2 train sets from Talgo. That is why Talgo is opening a new plant in Wisconsin. Talgo said it would open a plant in the state which ordered trainsets first. Wisconsin's 2 sets appear to carry more capacity than the train sets already running in the BC-WA-OR corridor.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hXbl3g8oA__ZNf03UrVScgovBj_wD9E6MR381

As usual, the present administration in the State of Washington was asleep apparently. We need jobs and our economy is in the toilet. We have been using Talgo trainsets for years. WA owns six of them. Doesn't say much for Talgo's loyalty to WA either.

But, hey, I'm just venting, mostly about our lousy leadership in Olympia. I don't really know the ins-and-outs. Maybe BB or TAW can supply more answers.

BLS



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/02/10 17:47 by poffcapt.

they _have_ the WA and OR business, they _want_ the WISC business. Assembly goes to WI. "Lets make a deal".

Assembly of the current sets happened in the Seattle area, IIRC.

That's correct, near BNSF's Stacy Street yard if I can recall....

Glad Oregon finally woke up and knowin' rail is just as important as the other modes! Nice job guys!