Comments for All Aboard Washington

Comment on Amtrak Trip Greenville, SC to Seattle Part 1 of 2 by Robert Hettick

Robert Hettick — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 07:02:13 +0000

To Ellis Simon: I wish I had the information you provided to give to the woman trying to get to Waterbury. I had the Amtrak Northeast Corridor timetable in my pocket but did not remember where the Waterbury line branched off and whether it was before, after or at the first stop the train we were on would make north of New York City.

To Larry Perrigo: Black firemen were a tradition in the old South. If I remember correctly, John Luther Jones’ black fireman was the author of the “Ballad of Casey Jones.” Of course in those days they were limited to shoveling coal with no chance of promotion to engineer. I do not know when in the modern era the Southern Railway began promoting their black firemen to engineer when the qualified.

Comment on Amtrak Trip Greenville, SC to Seattle Part 1 of 2 by Larry Perrigo

Larry Perrigo — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 03:26:54 +0000

I also enjoyed the account of the Greenville trip. It has been a long time since I was that far east, but I went in college in Greenville 1958-1960. I remember a “Colored Fireman” on a passenger train, which would have been unusual in Seattle at that time. Trains were un-segregated, but department stores had two water fountains in 1960.

Comment on Amtrak Trip Greenville, SC to Seattle Part 1 of 2 by Ellis Simon

Ellis Simon — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:44:08 +0000

Enjoying your report, especially since I lived in Greenville, 1976-77, and rode the “Southern Crescent” out of that station on several occasions.

Someone should have advised your fellow traveler bound for Waterbury, Conn., that the connecting train, which is operated by Metro North, originates in Bridgeport, which is a stop for several Northeast Corridor. She could have made a hassle-free transfer there since the Waterbury trains use the same tracks as Amtrak to arrive and depart.

Comment on Changes at the WSDOT Rail Office by Cameron Harper

Cameron Harper — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:28:20 +0000

Don’t forget about freight rail! Maintaining and preserving freight rail can also serve as a way to lessen congestion on our highways,

Comment on Saving the Historic Blaine Train Depot & Making it an Official Amtrak Stop by ZackW

ZackW — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 05:22:59 +0000

I’m not sure how the customs operation works now, but i dont think it should affect the that at all, since it would be on the US side of the border, and you are cleared for customs at Vancouver Station. I did hear they go through the train with a dog and the like, but certainly they could arrange that to happen inbetween Vancouver and Blaine intead of Blaine and Mt Vernon. That would probally make too much sense though.

Comment on Saving the Historic Blaine Train Depot & Making it an Official Amtrak Stop by Brian Bundridge

Brian Bundridge — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 04:31:48 +0000

I can support seeing the station moved and restored but adding a station would add a lot of additional headaches to the border crossing. I rather not have a repeat of Amtrak’s Adirondack service and take several hours at the station.

If Customs can be accelerated (ie, done at the station), I would be more willing to have it as a station…