Cascade (passenger train)

The "'Cascade" was an American named train of the Southern Pacific on its route between Oakland and Seattle with a major station stop in Portland. The Southern Pacific inaugurated the Cascade in 1950 and discontinued the through sleeping car service in 1966.

SPCASCADETrains 11-12Oakland – Portland - Seattle(August 13, 1950)Oakland – Portland daily overnight All Pullman 718 miles 16 hours 45 minutes

The streamlined CASCADE the SP overnight trains between Oakland and Portland with through sleeping cars to and from Seattle was only the second All Room sleeping car train to operate in a North South direction on the west coast. The new thirteen car Pullman Standard built consists were initially powered by A-B-B sets of EMD E7 diesels but were replaced in weeks by A-B-A sets of ALCO PA passenger diesels painted in DAYLIGHT colors. The CASCADE cars painted in the two tone Gray of the LARK and SAN FRANCISCO OVERLAND trains. The Southern Pacific streamlined CASCADE began service on August 13, 1950 and has the distinction of being an all Pullman train for the shortest length of time, for beginning October 11, 1950 the CASCADE began operation with Coaches assigned between Oakland and Portland. The through sleepers to Seattle numbered four and traveled north from Portland in the Union Pacific pool train to Seattle Union Station. Upon arrival in Seattle the four sleeping cars were switched out and transferred to the Northern Pacific Rail-way on the other side of Fourth Ave. Viaduct at the King St. Station. The next morning these four through sleeping cars would depart Seattle in the NP pool train and transfer to the CASCADE that afternoon in Portland for the trip to Oakland.

Inaugural Train #11

6005 ALCO PA-1 2,000 HP Diesel Passenger Cab Unit

5911 ALCO PB-1 2,000 HP Diesel Passenger Booster Unit

6007 ALCO PA-1 2,000 HP Diesel Passenger Cab Unit

6600 Baggage Car

5000 Baggage 30’Railway Post Office Car

9300 22-Roomette Sleeping Car

9400 12-Double Bedroom Sleeping Car

9030 10-Roomette 6-Double Bedroom Sleeping Car

10280 Articulated 21- Crew Dormitory Kitchen Car10281 Articulated 44- Seat Dining Room Car10282 Articulated 44- Seat Tavern Lounge Car(CASCADE CLUB)

9118 4-Compartment 4-Double Bedroom 2-Drawing Room Sleeping Car

9031 10-Roomette 6-Double Bedroom Sleeping Car

9032 10-Roomette 6-Double Bedroom Sleeping Car

9301 22-Roomette Sleeping Car

9053 10-Roomette 6-Double Bedroom Sleeping Car (Blunt End)

In the above consist sleeping cars 9118, 9031, 9032 and 9031 originated in Seattle and were forwarded by NP pool train from there to Portland to be forwarded to Oakland.

Inaugural Train #12

6006 ALCO PA-1 2,000 HP Diesel Passenger Booster Unit

5912 ALCO PB-1 2,000 HP Diesel Passenger Booster Unit

6008 ALCO PA-1 2,000 HP Diesel Passenger Cab Unit

6601 Baggage Car

5001 Baggage 30’Railway Post Office Car

9302 22-Roomette Sleeping Car

9401 12-Double Bedroom sleeping Car

9033 10-Roomette 6-Double Bedroom Sleeping Car

10283 Articulated 21- Crew Dormitory Kitchen Car10284 Articulated 44- Seat Dining Room Car10285 Articulated 44- Seat Tavern Lounge Car(CASCADE CLUB)

9119 4-Compartment 4-Double Bedroom 2-Drawing Room Sleeping Car

9034 10-Roomette 6-Double Bedroom Sleeping Car

9035 10-Roomette 6-Double Bedroom Sleeping Car

9303 22-Roomette Sleeping Car

9054 10-Roomette 6-Double Bedroom Sleeping Car (Blunt End) In the above consist sleeping cars 9119, 9034, 9035 and 9303 were through Oakland – Seattle cars forwarded in the UP pool train to Seattle. After arrival in Seattle at Union Station they were turned over to the NP under the 4th Ave. viaduct where they were forwarded to the NP-GN coach yard for cleaning and servicing for the next mornings departure in the NP pool train from King Street Station to Portland and the waiting CASCADE.

The streamlined CASCADE operated as an All – Pullman train only until October 10, 1950. Beginning October 11, 1950 Coaches were added to the train sets. Coaches 2425 and 2431operated in one consist and 2433 and 2437 operated in the other consist of the CASCADE. No coaches operated as through cars to and from Seattle. All Coach travelers crossed the platform in Portland to the waiting UP pool train northbound to Seattle. Southbound coach passengers from Seattle arrived in Portland on the NP pool train and again crossed the platform to the waiting CASCADE.

Through Sleeping Car service to and from Seattle ended January 9, 1966.

References

Streamlined Passenger Trains of the United States & Canada by Alan L. Pettet