Hall G gh3716-/E1597aS9LQAvxtiuMwx3w@public.gmane.org [Canadian-Passenger-Rail]
2014-09-23 16:05:45 UTC
On the discussion of trains crossing the border.
The Cascades route still has an opportunity to attract a lot more customers, if it was more accessible and faster for the locals living south of Vancouver.
On a past ride there was a long boarding wait then wait to depart as everyone went through the customs pre clearance with only 2 agents interviewing passengers at the Vancouver station.
Then at the border we stopped again for customs to board the train and go through the train and in a very loud voice discuss for all to hear each persons history and reason for visiting the US. Rather uncomfortable.
The Rocky Mountaineer has been running a few trips to Seattle on the same route as the Cascades several trips this year. Boarding is the same as Amtrak at the Cage at the Vancouver VIA/Amtrak station.
Listed at link below under Coastal passage.
http://www.rockymountaineer.com/en_CA_BC/travel_planning/schedule
I was down to White Rock to try to get some photos of Amtrak Cascades and Rocky with near sunset photos and good light on the trains as they passed by the White Rock and Mount Baker. I was using a long telephoto lens from the White Rock Pier. So I was able to see the trains stopped south bound at the border, they stop right next to the Peace Arch border crossing for customs southbound. The Rocky Mountaineer was stopped for 15 minutes and Amtrak for 20. Northbound they do not stop.
There has been much discussion locally of late since the port approved shipping coal from Fraser River port and the increase in freight rail traffic and coal. Also Transport Canada at one time closed beach access on some parts of the beach for people crossing the train tracks due to some reviews of deaths along the White Rock walk way next to the beach and tracks. Th walkways along the beach are right next to the tracks with a railing between, you could reach your hand out and touch the train. The trains now have to sound the horns loudly frequently all along the route day and night and there are increased complaints from this. And people are concerned about the coal dust, hazardous goods and increase in overall rail freight traffic. They want the tracks moved from White Rock and Crescent
beach. They are also concerned about the safety of wildlife marsh and old worn trestles over it. BNSF is currently rebuilding the trestle.
Most local politicians and political hopefuls, at all levels of government are now responding with and running on a platform of having the train tracks moved in land away from the beach. An inland route would make the passenger train trips a little less scenic.
Here are some links and last one shows the other possible routes proposed. It should be noted that there is a lot of resistance from the residents in the communities that are near the proposed new routes. Perhaps the train tracks will be moved to the original route that ran up through Cloverdale roughly along 176 St., then west along the BC Rail route to Roberts Bank and connection to the current route to the Fraser River Bridge.
http://www.surrey.ca/city-government/14318.aspx
http://www.surrey.ca/city-services/14285.aspx
http://www.thenownewspaper.com/news/surrey-first-promises-action-on-rail-relocation-1.1377441
Perhaps if the tracks do get relocated there might be some way to get a train station stop just south of the border this would make the Amtrak Cascades route much more accessible to the locals much more of the Greater Vancouver population would be able to access the train to Seattle. It takes too much time now to travel all the way back into Vancouver wait for the long boarding procedure then long trip back through the southern cities. Being able to go direct through local customs and board the train would save a couple of hours.
Currently vehicle wait times at the border are commonly 1 to 2 hours. Being able to walk through customs and catch a train would make it that much easier to use the train.
Gordon
The Cascades route still has an opportunity to attract a lot more customers, if it was more accessible and faster for the locals living south of Vancouver.
On a past ride there was a long boarding wait then wait to depart as everyone went through the customs pre clearance with only 2 agents interviewing passengers at the Vancouver station.
Then at the border we stopped again for customs to board the train and go through the train and in a very loud voice discuss for all to hear each persons history and reason for visiting the US. Rather uncomfortable.
The Rocky Mountaineer has been running a few trips to Seattle on the same route as the Cascades several trips this year. Boarding is the same as Amtrak at the Cage at the Vancouver VIA/Amtrak station.
Listed at link below under Coastal passage.
http://www.rockymountaineer.com/en_CA_BC/travel_planning/schedule
I was down to White Rock to try to get some photos of Amtrak Cascades and Rocky with near sunset photos and good light on the trains as they passed by the White Rock and Mount Baker. I was using a long telephoto lens from the White Rock Pier. So I was able to see the trains stopped south bound at the border, they stop right next to the Peace Arch border crossing for customs southbound. The Rocky Mountaineer was stopped for 15 minutes and Amtrak for 20. Northbound they do not stop.
There has been much discussion locally of late since the port approved shipping coal from Fraser River port and the increase in freight rail traffic and coal. Also Transport Canada at one time closed beach access on some parts of the beach for people crossing the train tracks due to some reviews of deaths along the White Rock walk way next to the beach and tracks. Th walkways along the beach are right next to the tracks with a railing between, you could reach your hand out and touch the train. The trains now have to sound the horns loudly frequently all along the route day and night and there are increased complaints from this. And people are concerned about the coal dust, hazardous goods and increase in overall rail freight traffic. They want the tracks moved from White Rock and Crescent
beach. They are also concerned about the safety of wildlife marsh and old worn trestles over it. BNSF is currently rebuilding the trestle.
Most local politicians and political hopefuls, at all levels of government are now responding with and running on a platform of having the train tracks moved in land away from the beach. An inland route would make the passenger train trips a little less scenic.
Here are some links and last one shows the other possible routes proposed. It should be noted that there is a lot of resistance from the residents in the communities that are near the proposed new routes. Perhaps the train tracks will be moved to the original route that ran up through Cloverdale roughly along 176 St., then west along the BC Rail route to Roberts Bank and connection to the current route to the Fraser River Bridge.
http://www.surrey.ca/city-government/14318.aspx
http://www.surrey.ca/city-services/14285.aspx
http://www.thenownewspaper.com/news/surrey-first-promises-action-on-rail-relocation-1.1377441
Perhaps if the tracks do get relocated there might be some way to get a train station stop just south of the border this would make the Amtrak Cascades route much more accessible to the locals much more of the Greater Vancouver population would be able to access the train to Seattle. It takes too much time now to travel all the way back into Vancouver wait for the long boarding procedure then long trip back through the southern cities. Being able to go direct through local customs and board the train would save a couple of hours.
Currently vehicle wait times at the border are commonly 1 to 2 hours. Being able to walk through customs and catch a train would make it that much easier to use the train.
Gordon