Amtrak Cascades Service Severely Reduced
This morning, Trains magazine reported Amtrak has removed the Horizon car fleet from all service indefinitely due to the discovery of severe corrosion on several cars. From Trains:
In a statement issued at 9 a.m. today (March 26, 2025), the [Amtrak] said, We discovered corrosion in several Horizon railcars and, while working with the manufacturer, decided to remove the equipment from service after learning of additional areas of concern from intensive inspections of multiple cars. The removal of this equipment from service will affect services on several routes:Downeaster,Hiawatha,Borealis, andAmtrak Cascades. Some trains, such as theDowneaster, will operate with fewer cars, while other services will be provided substitute transportation until a long-term plan is developed."
Amtrak Cascades operates six round-trips daily, with two trips from Portland to Vancouver, BC, two trips from Eugene to Seattle, and two from Portland to Seattle. Five of these trips were served by Horizon cars. The sixth trip is currently served by one of two Talgo Series 8 trainsets, with the second Talgo set out of service since it struck a fallen tree last November. Additional trips are provided by Amtrak Thruway" buses.
With the Horizon cars out of service, rail forum chatter indicates the remaining trainset will continue to serve one round trip between Seattle and Eugene. Presumably, remaining Cascades service will be replaced by bus service with significantly reduced capacity.
Amtrak has not stated when the Horizon cars might enter reenter service. New Airo" (air-oh) train cars are expected to enter service next year, and Amtrak is currently expanding its maintenance base in SODO in preparation for the new equipment.
WSDOT and ODOT fund 100% of the Cascades service; in 2019 and 2023, fares covered about 60% of operating costs. The Washington State Legislature is currently considering directing WSDOT to make improvements based on the agency's study of potential upgrades to speed up service. However, it seems the Cascades service will be limping along until the new Airo trains arrive.
This is a developing story. We thank commentor Alex for bringing this to our attention.