Great Northern 1950 "International"

The 1950 streamlined 'International' served the Seattle, WA to Vancouver, BC market, connecting with the 'Empire Builder' and 'Oriental Limited in Everett and the coast pool train in Seattle. Originally announced for 1946 delivery, but delayed by massive order backloads at the car builders, they replaced their heavyweight 'Puget Sounder' predecessors.

The 'International' consisted of two complete trains. Each train departed Seattle and Vancouver three times a day for the 155 mile, four hour trip. From Seattle, intermediate stops were made at Everett, Mount Vernon, Bellingham, and Blaine WA, and White Rock and New Westminster BC. Train numbers were:

355 - 8:10 am departure from Vancouver.
356 - 7:45 am departure from Seattle.
357 - 12:30 pm departure from Vancouver.
360 - 1:30 pm departure from Seattle.
361 - 6:25 pm departure from Vancouver.
362 - 6:00 pm departure from Seattle.

Tickets cost $2.90 one way, or $5.95 round-trip.

The 'International' had five cars:

One RPO-baggage car with 30' RPO section.
Equipment numbers 1105 - 1106.
Two 60-seat coaches.
Equipment numbers 1115 - 1118.
One 28-seat coach/24-seat diner.
Equipment numbers 1145 - 1146.
One round-end parlor/lounge/observation.
Equipment numbers 1195 - 1196.
Car line number was the train number with suffix '0'.

All cars were built by ACF. They were numbered in sequence after the 1947 'Empire Builder' cars. The coach-diners are an anomaly, being numbered in the 1140 lounge series rather than the 1150 diner series, and being without names.

Total accomodations on the 1952 'Gopher' and 'Badger' were:

148 coach seats.
24 dining seats. Not sold.
17 lounge seats.
12 observation seats. Not sold except at peak times.
1 bedroom sleeping three.

Motive power were E7's 510 and 511.

A unique service on the train was the customs office in the last car. Where automobile, boat, and air travellers were required to stop at customs, the Great Northern's passengers could go through customs while on the train.

The dining cars were turned so that the coach half was coupled to the coaches, and the diner half was coupled to the observation car. Seating was four diamond-shaped tables for four on the right side of the train, and four triangular tables for two on the left. Breakfast was served on the morning trip, lunch on the afternoon trip, and supper on the evening trip. Passengers could pay for their meal in American or Canadian dollars. Beverage service was also available in the observation car.

Named cars were:

1195 'Port of Seattle'
1196 'Port of Vancouver'