Which train set on Cascades 503?

[PdxRailGuy]

Is there any way to find out which train set will be on the cascades 503 on march 6, Portland Oregon southbound.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Cal]

That far out, no, as sets can always change rotation and the rotation might be complex. It will most likely be Horizons as currently only one Talgo set is in service. Not sure when/if the other Talgo will come back. You should be able to figure it out in the day or two beforehand, but still not much guarantee.

 

[pdxRailGuy]

Follow up question. On average, how full are these trains (503, pdx -SF).
Is business class worth the extra money? Is business class less full than coach, grnerally, ?

Sorry, getting off in Eugene, NOT, S.F.

 

[zephyr17]

BC on the Cascades is popular and is often sold out, especially on the Horizon sets where BC capacity is severely limited, like around 14 BC seats total.

 

[trimetbusfan]

Follow up question. On average, how full are these trains (503, pdx -SF).
Is business class worth the extra money? Is business class less full than coach, grnerally, ?

Sorry, getting off in Eugene, NOT, S.F.

BC on the Cascades is popular and is often sold out, especially on the Horizon sets where BC capacity is severely limited, like around 14 BC seats total.

Yes, there is a limited inventory on Cascades Horzion BC, but on most days the segment between PDX-EUG in particular is light and not sold out, even in BC. It is also a lot less to pay for an upgrade on this segment versus, say, PDX-SEA.

There are videos on YouTube of Horizon Car business class. It is essentially a faux-leather LD seat with a legrest. Getting on in Portland you also get lounge access and pre-boarding abilities with that BC ticket. You also get a $3 coupon. Going southbound the BC section is at the front of the train (so you will hear lots of horn noise).

 

[trimetbusfan]

That far out, no, as sets can always change rotation and the rotation might be complex. It will most likely be Horizons as currently only one Talgo set is in service. Not sure when/if the other Talgo will come back. You should be able to figure it out in the day or two beforehand, but still not much guarantee.

Btw, the second (working) Talgo is in the shop right now.

503/508 is its own cycle and runs the same trainset every day, only getting swapped out when maintenance is needed. About a 90% chance it's a Horizon set.

 

[pdxRailGuy]

Yes, there is a limited inventory on Cascades Horzion BC, but on most days the segment between PDX-EUG in particular is light and not sold out, even in BC. It is also a lot less to pay for an upgrade on this segment versus, say, PDX-SEA.

There are videos on YouTube of Horizon Car business class. It is essentially a faux-leather LD seat with a legrest. Getting on in Portland you also get lounge access and pre-boarding abilities with that BC ticket. You also get a $3 coupon. Going southbound the BC section is at the front of the train (so you will hear lots of horn noise).

Thanks, I was hoping for one of the Talgo sets, but still look I forward to the trip.

 

[trimetbusfan]

Thanks, I was hoping for one of the Talgo sets, but still look I forward to the trip.

OK, I actually retract what I said earlier.

Railforless indicates that the 503/508 pair is planned to run with the Talgo during the month of February. (The Talgo is the only trainset that can hold 40 BC passengers). However, it does appear to switch back to a Horizon set at the beginning of March. Of course, none of this is set in stone and equipment can change at a moments notice.

So long story short - there is a slightly higher chance you will have a Talgo but it's still too early to know for certain.