The "Cascade": Running The Scenic Shasta Route
Last revised: September 12, 2024
By: Adam Burns
One of the Southern Pacific's most scenic corridors was its Shasta Route running from northern California, through Oregon, and terminating at Portland.
There were two notable trains serving this line during the 20th century; the Cascade launched during the 1920s followed by the newly streamlined Shasta Daylight after World War II.
The former would eventually gain lightweight status but since the train operated on an overnight schedule passengers did not have the opportunity to experience as much of the Pacific Northwest's beauty as those traveling aboard the Shasta.
By the late 1950s the Espee was losing interest in passenger service and began cutbacks across much of its fleet, which included the Cascade during the 1960s. A semblance of the train survived until Amtrak, which still provides service along the route.
A pair of Southern Pacific SDP45s, led by #3202, have the "Cascade" in Berkeley, California in January 1968. Rick Burn photo.After the Southern Pacific upgraded its corridor north of Dunsmuir, California with the completion of the Cascade Line (also known as the Natron Cutoff it ran via Klamath Falls and Cascade Summit in Oregon) in 1926 the railroad could offer passenger schedules nearly 4.5 hours faster than over the older Siskiyou Line.
These trips normally required 42 hours for trains to make the Oakland - Portland run. The very first notable train SP offered to the Pacific Northwest was the Oregon Express of 1887 running northbound and the California Express southbound.
A little over a decade later the railroad introduced the Shasta Express in 1901, later renamed the Shasta Limited. The Cascade was inaugurated on April 17, 1927, about a year following the completion of the Natron Cutoff with first-class accommodations via heavyweight equipment and through sleepers available to Seattle over the Northern Pacific.
When Espee began considerably modernizing its passenger fleet with more lightweight equipment after World War II the Cascade truly came of age. During 1949 the railroad added the all-new, streamlined Shasta Daylight to its fleet of popular Daylights.
The train, which ran on a daytime schedule, offered a far-ranging level of first-class accommodations from chair cars to a parlor observation and unique three-car, articulated diner-kitchen-coffee shop car. Later, home-built, dome-lounges were added to the consist.
Along the way passengers were treated to sights of the Cascade Mountain Range, Lake Odell, glimpses of Mount Hood, and Crater Lake. The Cascade was upgraded to streamlined status about a year later with equipment from Pullman-Standard. Inaugurated on August 13, 1950 it was powered by Electro-Motive E7s, and then later pulled by Alco's beautiful PA diesels.
Sticking to Southern Pacific tradition, as an overnight train the Cascade was not adorned in the railroad's beautiful Daylight livery (except for the locomotives). Instead, similar to the Lark (the overnight run between Oakland/San Francisco - Los Angeles), the train was clad in a unique two-tone grey scheme.
Despite the Cascade's late-night status it was nearly on par with the Shasta offering a 16 1/2-hour schedule along the 718 mile corridor between Portland and Oakland.
Additionally, its all-Pullman accommodations including sleepers in all of the popular arrangements (bedrooms, roomettes, compartments, and drawing rooms) with the most notable feature being a unique, three-car articulated kitchen-diner-lounge known as the Cascade Club (a similar setup operated on the Shasta).
(The below Cascade timetable is dated effective January 15, 1954.)
| Read Down Time/Leave (Train #11) |
Milepost | Location | Read Up Time/Arrive (Train #12) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4:45 PM (Dp) | 0.0 | 9:20 AM (Ar) | |
| 5:55 PM | 53 | 8:02 AM | |
| 6:27 PM | 80 | 7:32 AM | |
| 7:09 PM (Ar) | 124 | 6:52 AM (Dp) | |
| 7:14 PM (Dp) | 124 | 6:45 AM (Ar) | |
| 244 | 3:46 AM | ||
| 11:30 PM (Ar) | 318 | 2:30 AM (Dp) | |
| 11:40 PM (Dp) | 318 | 2:20 AM (Ar) | |
| 2:20 AM (Ar) | 425 | 11:50 PM (Dp) | |
| 2:30 AM (Dp) | 425 | 11:40 PM (Ar) | |
| 4:07 AM | 482 | 10:06 PM | |
| 4:55 AM (Ar) | 526 | 9:20 PM (Dp) | |
| 5:00 AM (Dp) | 526 | 9:15 PM (Ar) | |
| 6:42 AM (Ar) | 639 | 7:25 PM (Dp) | |
| 6:47 AM (Dp) | 639 | 7:20 PM (Ar) | |
| 7:08 AM | 666 | ||
| 7:33 AM | 683 | 6:35 PM | |
| 7:42 AM | 689 | 6:30 PM | |
| 8:00 AM | 703 | 5:59 PM | |
| 8:14 AM | 709 | 5:51 PM | |
| 8:25 AM | 712 | 5:43 PM | |
| 8:35 AM | 714 | 5:35 PM | |
| 8:55 AM | 714 | 5:20 PM | |
| 9:15 AM (Ar) | 718 | 5:00 PM (Dp) |
In all, the train (listed on the timetable as #11, southbound, and #12 northbound) ran originally with a 13-car consist (a baggage, Railway Post Office, three sleepers, the Cascade Club, and additional five sleepers).
Before the Espee took such a hardline approach to its passenger trains the railroad provided some of the most memorable and luxurious accommodations throughout the West. Its advertisement (featured above) describing the new Cascade made sure to mention these first-class services:
"It will be just an overnight luxury jaunt between San Francisco and Portland via the faster, streamlined, Cascade!"
Interestingly, the train's all-Pullman status was very brief as by October of 1950 a pair of coaches began running within the consist although neither ran through to Seattle.
As the public left the rails for highways and airlines in increasing numbers throughout the 1950s Southern Pacific grew disenchanted with passenger trains by the end of the decade.
In 1959 it cutback the Shasta Daylight to a thrice-weekly schedule during the off season and five years later during 1964 reduced the once-proud train to a summer season-only operation. In 1967 SP discontinued it altogether. The Cascade fared a bit better but also saw its share of service reductions.
By the 1960s the train had lost its interesting two-tone grey livery, replaced by an all-aluminum look with red trim (diesels were also reduced to an uninspiring grey and red livery). During 1966 through sleepers to Seattle were shed and a year later the widely popular three-car, articulated Cascade Club sadly came off.
In 1970 the Cascade was reduced to a thrice-weekly schedule, in which it remained until the start of Amtrak on May 1, 1971. Southern Pacific had attempted to end dining service on the train during the 1960s, replaced by vending machines, but was disallowed by the Oregon Public Utility Commission.
It also tried to discontinue the train several times but was thwarted from doing so. During its final years the Cascade continued offering a diner-lounge, chair cars, and sleepers with roomettes and bedrooms until the end while porter service was also still available which is somewhat incredible considering SP's stance during those years.
Today, Amtrak's Coast Starlight runs virtually the same corridor as well as a more southerly connection at Los Angeles.
Recent Articles
-
Milwaukee Road Diesel Roster: (All Time)
Oct 26, 26 01:44 PM
All-time diesel roster of the Milwaukee Road. 1,208 locomotives, each frame once. Alco, Baldwin, Davenport, EMD, Fairbanks-Morse, General Electric, and Whitcomb, with builder numbers. -
Milwaukee Road Steam Roster (All-Time): Post-1900
Oct 26, 26 01:38 PM
Milwaukee Road steam locomotives built since 1900. Prairies, Mikados, the N-class articulateds, the S-class 4-8-4s, and the Hiawatha Atlantics and Hudsons. Quantity column 1,974. Unique frames 1,951. -
Milwaukee Road: Map, Electrification, Logo, History
Oct 26, 26 01:20 PM
The Milwaukee Road, from the Milwaukee & Mississippi of 1850 to the Pacific Coast Extension, the Hiawathas, and the Soo Line sale. Why Lines West should have stayed. -
Lake Superior & Ishpeming Railroad: Map, Roster, History
Oct 25, 26 11:38 PM
Lake Superior & Ishpeming Railroad, reporting mark LSI, from the Marquette Range to the Presque Isle ore dock. The 1954 steam list and the diesels the railroad owned. -
Kansas City Southern Steam Roster (Built Since 1900)
Oct 25, 26 09:09 PM
Steam locomotives of the Kansas City Southern built since 1900, with the Louisiana & Arkansas and the Texas company. -
Kansas City Southern Diesel Roster (Built New)
Oct 25, 26 11:46 AM
All-time diesel roster of the Kansas City Southern. E units, F units, Geeps, SD40s through SD70ACes, Fairbanks-Morse, Baldwin, Alco, and General Electric, with serials and order numbers. -
Kansas City Southern Railway: Map, Photos, History
Oct 25, 26 12:24 AM
The Kansas City Southern, from Arthur Stilwell's Gulf line to Canadian Pacific Kansas City on April 14, 2023. Steam and diesel rosters, the Southern Belle, and the Louisiana & Arkansas. -
Indiana Harbor Belt Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Oct 25, 26 12:17 AM
All-time diesel roster of the Indiana Harbor Belt. 202 locomotive frames, each counted once. NW2s, SW7s, SW1500s, road switchers, and gensets. Slugs and boosters are outside the count. -
Indiana Harbor Belt Steam Roster (Built Since 1900)
Oct 25, 26 12:13 AM
Steam locomotives of the Indiana Harbor Belt built since 1900. 182 engines, each counted once. 0-6-0s, 2-6-0s, 0-8-0s, and 2-8-2s. The three U-4a switchers are three-cylinder Brooks engines of 1927. -
Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad: Map, Rosters, History
Oct 25, 26 12:00 AM
Indiana Harbor Belt, the inner belt across the Calumet, from the East Chicago Belt of May 16, 1896. Renamed June 29, 1907. Still operating, headquarters Hammond. Steam roster is the companion, 182 loc… -
NYC's "P Motor" Electric Locomotives
Oct 24, 26 11:43 PM
New York Central P motors: 22 Alco-GE 2-C+C-2 electrics, Cleveland Union Terminal 1050–1071, class P-1a. 3,030 hp one-hour on 3,000-volt DC catenary, then 660-volt third rail as P-2a and P-2b. -
Illinois Terminal Car Roster
Oct 24, 26 11:40 PM
Illinois Terminal cars. Mainline motors, the 1948 streamliners, sleepers, Alton and Valley Division cars, express motors, and the line cars rebuilt from pull cars. -
Illinois Terminal Diesel Roster
Oct 24, 26 09:31 PM
All-time Illinois Terminal diesels, 62 frames. Alco S-2s and RS-1s, EMD switchers, GP7s, SD39s, GP38-2s, and the two GP20s. Serial numbers from the 1989 roster. -
Illinois Terminal Electric Locomotives
Oct 24, 26 08:22 PM
Illinois Terminal electric locomotives, 57 frames. Class A through Class D, the Decatur-built motors, and the battery locomotives. Class D is the same five Class C frames, rebuilt. -
Illinois Terminal Steam Roster
Oct 24, 26 07:37 PM
Illinois Terminal steam locomotives, 36 frames. Baldwin Moguls, three Class 30 Mikados, Florida East Coast 0-8-0s, and 2-6-0 No. 21, the last fire on June 30, 1950. -
Illinois Terminal Railroad: Map, Roster, Photos, History
Oct 24, 26 07:32 PM
Illinois Terminal, McKinley's Illinois Traction System, from the Danville coal towns to St. Louis. The McKinley Bridge, the sleeping cars, the 1937 break with the power company, the 1948 streamliners… -
Southern Railway Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Oct 23, 26 11:00 PM
All-time diesel roster of the Southern Railway. 2,505 locomotives in the system number series, from the 1939 demonstrator FT to GP50s and B30-7A1s. Serials included. -
Illinois Central Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Oct 23, 26 04:06 PM
Illinois Central and Illinois Central Gulf diesel locomotives, each frame once. The quantity column is 886. Serials and order numbers from Electro-Motive's builder lists. Paducah rebuilds and Gulf, Mo… -
Illinois Central Gulf Diesel Roster
Oct 23, 26 04:02 PM
Illinois Central Gulf operating numbers from August 10, 1972, to February 29, 1988. New frames stay on the Illinois Central diesel roster. Gulf, Mobile and Ohio frames stay on that roster. No Gulf fle… -
Illinois Central Railroad: Map, Logo, History
Oct 23, 26 03:50 PM
Illinois Central, the Main Line of Mid-America, from the 1850 land grant to Canadian National control on July 1, 1999. Charter lines, Cairo bridge, Paducah, and the Illinois Central Gulf. Steam quanti… -
Grand Trunk Western Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Oct 23, 26 12:53 PM
Grand Trunk Western diesel locomotives, each frame once. The quantity column is 377. Serials are filled for the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton and Detroit and Toledo Shore Line engines the railroad kept… -
Grand Trunk Western Steam Roster
Oct 23, 26 12:14 PM
Grand Trunk Western steam locomotives in service about 1937 to 1942, from Richard Leonard's class list. Drury has no chapter. The quantity column is the counted Grand Trunk Western rows. Two mixed Gra… -
Grand Trunk Western Railroad: Map, Roster, History
Oct 23, 26 12:09 PM
Grand Trunk Western, reporting mark GTW, Canadian National's railroad between Port Huron and Chicago. Trade name adopted in 1923. Steam class list quantity 232. Diesel quantity column 377. Identity in… -
Green Bay and Western Railroad: Map, Rosters, History
Oct 22, 26 11:18 PM
Green Bay & Western, the Green Bay Route, reporting mark GBW. From Kewaunee to Winona. Mailer's steam and diesel rosters, and the August 1993 sale to Fox Valley & Western. -
Chicago & North Western Class E-4: Streamlined 4-6-4 Hudsons
Oct 22, 26 10:28 PM
C&NW Class E-4, nine streamlined 4-6-4s, 4001–4009, Alco 1938. 84-inch drivers, 25-by-29 cylinders, 300 psi. Conventional Chicago–Omaha trains. Oil in 1947–48. Retired 1953–1956. -
Gateway Western Railway: Map, Roster, History
Oct 22, 26 02:43 PM
Gateway Western Railway, reporting mark GWWR. Class II from Kansas City to East St. Louis. Kansas City Southern control May 5, 1997. The 1992 diesel fleet, with serials and order numbers.
