(The Associated Press circulated the following on August 7.)
PORTLAND, Ore. — Using substitute equipment, Amtrak restored about half its Cascades route Monday between Eugene and Vancouver, British Columbia, and planned to restore service fully by Thursday, a spokeswoman said.
The service was interrupted Friday after an inspection of the rail cars built by Spanish manufacturer Talgo found cracks in the suspension system of a passenger car.
“All the parties involved decided that, in an abundance of caution, it was the most prudent thing to do to take the cars out of service,” said Nora Friend, a spokeswoman for Talgo.
Vernae Graham, a spokeswoman for Amtrak in Oakland, Calif., said the rail passenger service added two train sets Monday, running six trips — three each way — between Portland and Seattle.
That allowed service also to be re-established to Eugene, she said.
A trip between Seattle and Vancouver had continued running because its equipment was not affected.
Another train set was to go into operation today between Portland and Seattle, and a fourth was to begin Thursday, Graham said.
In the meantime, Amtrak planned to start bus service today from the Washington cities Bellingham and Edmonds to get passengers to Seattle, she said.
Those additions would restore the Cascades operation fully by Thursday, but the schedule will be slightly different, meaning passengers should check for updated schedule information, she said.
Amtrak said the substitute train service would operate at reduced speeds and would not include some of the amenities of the regular Cascades service such as business class, movies or bicycle accommodations. There also will be limited seating for the mobility impaired, Amtrak said.