New Amtrak Cascades trains arrive in 2026 https://amtrakcascades.com/about/new-amtrak-cascades-trains-arrive-in-2026/
AAWA News, June 2025 https://www.aawa.us/news/posts/aawa-news-june-2025/
Amtrak Advances Major Construction to Upgrade Seattle Rail Yard https://media.amtrak.com/2025/05/amtrak-advances-major-construction-to-upgrade-seattle-rail-yard/
Hendrik de Kock, a nondriver from Seattle who grew up in New York City riding transit, showed up Saturday with friends to try the new stations.
“I enjoy civic celebrations like this,” de Kock said. “It’s important to come to gather, and show this is the product of society working together for the common good aside from pure individualism.”
Amtrak returns Talgo set to Cascades service https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/amtrak-returns-talgo-set-to-cascades-service/
Seattle’s $300M Amtrak expansion to bring modern trains, transportation by 2027 https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/seattles-300m-amtrak-expansion-bring-modern-trains-transportation-by-2027/3XKWGK62JRBP5IBIH6LSKGUSD4/
The AAWA board met over the weekend to plan upcoming advocacy and social events. Stay tuned for more! And thanks, Harvey, for hosting us.
Amtrak Cascades resumes all trips this weekend https://aawa.us/news/posts/amtrak-cascades-resumes-all-trips-this-weekend/
Starting on Tuesday, April 1, Amtrak will restore one daily roundtrip between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia with the 8:30am northbound trip (Train Number 516) and 4:45pm southbound trip (Train Number 519) using Amfleet I rail cars. https://www.theurbanist.org/2025/03/31/amtrak-begins-to-restore-cascades-train-service-with-relocated-trains/
For now, round-trip train service via Amtrak Cascades is down to just one train set in the Pacific Northwest, affecting nearly all daily service to its 18 stops between Eugene, Ore., and Vancouver, B.C.
The one train will depart from Seattle to Eugene during mornings (train #503) and return north to Seattle in the afternoon and evening (train #508).
https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2025/03/heres-the-only-amtrak-cascades-train-heading-north-south-for-now.html
AAWA's Op-Ed has been posted in The Urbanist. https://www.theurbanist.org/2025/03/24/op-ed-advance-amtrak-planning-in-central-eastern-washington/
"Amtrak maintenance issues that caused cancellation of Sounder commuter service spilled over into Cascades intercity departures, with buses substituting for Seattle-Eugene, Ore., service because of a shortage of serviceable equipment." https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/amtrak-deals-with-cascades-mechanical-woes-snowbound-california-zephyr/
Longtime AAWA supporter Ralph Munro passed away today. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/ralph-munro-longtime-wa-secretary-of-state-and-champion-of-disability-rights-dies/
AAWA News, March 19, 2025: AAWA Advocates Support ESHB 1837 and Other Improvements to Intercity Passenger Rail, Changes at Amtrak, Join Our Forum, Donations Needed https://aawa.us/news/posts/aawa-news-march-19-2025/
Now, on to the state Senate. https://www.theurbanist.org/2025/03/14/state-house-approves-bill-mapping-out-amtrak-cascades-upgrades/
CALL TO ACTION - HB 1837
https://mailchi.mp/d5eb8aa6083a/call-to-action-hb-1837?e=cea79462f9
Fewer train horns in Bellingham: Safety improvements establish new railroad “quiet zone”
https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/politics-government/article301797409.html
Sneak a peek at AAWA's new discussion board for rail advocates in the Pacific Northwest. Register to post and comment at https://aawaforum.org/ Full speed ahead!