The Departure Waiting Begins

3:00pm, Coffee Plant on Washington Street in Portland, I'm sitting with Joleen waiting for the afternoon to roll by for my 7:00pm Cascades Departure.  After a good dose of cappuccino I'm almost ready for my departure.  The packing is done, the laptop is prepped with games, work files, and such, and I have a few books just in case I don't feel like staring at the LCD Screen.  I'm really exited to truly get to test out how the Sounder will really work.  I'm also curious as to its on time performance.  I'm assuming, with my few experiences so far, the Sounder runs like trains did during privatized operations of yesteryears.  On time!  Of course I know it isn't privatized, but Sounder truly has a strong support infrastructure and dispatching with BNSF helping out.  In addition to that they have maintenance support from Amtrak, at least last I checked.  From the schedule it appears I will be having very early mornings and hopefully some time in the afternoons to piddle about in Seattle.

For now I'm waiting some more.  Chilling at the Coffee Plant with Jo until later.  The cool of outside wafting through the door to where we sit.

...to be continued...