ODOT readying new trains for service in Amtrak Cascades corridor

The Oregon Department of Transportation's (ODOT) two new 13-car trainsets have begun rotating in and out of service in the Amtrak Cascades corridor.

Named "Mt. Jefferson" and "Mt. Bachelor," the trainsets have been traveling the rails in the Willamette Valley and beyond in preparation for entering revenue service on Jan. 6, 2014, ODOT officials said in a press release.

A new bus and train schedule for the corridor will coincide with the addition of the trainsets to the fleet, which will increase the total fleet size to seven trains.

Features of the new schedule, which will go into effect after the New Year, include replacing several bus routes with trains, adding new stops on bus routes and adding new bus service, they said.