That would be a huge improvement over this abomination:

Yes, you are correct, it is dry over there and that’s why I’m ok with the current change (along with needing gas in far off places in the middle of th night on occasion), but would absolutely not be ok if they tried to push self-serve in western Oregon.

Overhead covers don’t do much against sideways rain.

For the most part, it not even optional. The vast majority of the gas stations will still require attendants. Most of the small town stations where this will apply usually have a single cashier/cook/gas attendant, so this means the cook won’t burn the hash browns while she runs out to fill a motorhome. Also, this will…

Yup. I definitely keep a tight grip when pulling out....

I seriously doubt the car was targeted. Cargo trailers however are frequent target. Usually to part out any tools inside, but sometime the trailers get sold since state laws around trailer registration vary so much, it’s a lot easier to get away with.

This. Everybody in Portland should carry chains. Snow tires are fine but really not needed most of the time, and they still aren’t all that useful when we get freezing rain, which is just as often as snow. I have snow tires on both my cars, and carry chains. Two sets for the van, since chains on all 4s is awesome in…

My sister feels the same way as your wide. That’s how she ended up with a 2016 Explorer Sport. After test driving one, she had zero desire for a non-turbo SUV.

Sounds like maybe you need a Flex? It’s basically a wider Transit Connect without sliding doors, but then you get a 3.5L with or without turbos.

Uh, the route is pretty full most runs. There’s 7 trains each way daily BTW. I’m sure the inaugural run was light because not many folks were aware of it yet. The ~2,000 daily riders would need 25 daily flights added to Alaska’s schedule to fill that capacity, if they continue using EM175s.

Whoa. Almost the exact same train-set (Talgo 250), on a similar curve, at a similar speed....

They mostly use Embraer E75s on the SEA-PDX shuttle, every 30 minutes. But they do run the B737-900 at peak times.

Yup. I was thinking the same thing. Amtrak Cascades is the defacto alternate when there’s a landslide on I-5. Alaska airlines is already maxed on every single flight, although maybe they can substitute bigger jets? And I wonder if Amtrak will bypass to the old route to keep the rest of the trains running? Since they…

Powerstroke 6.7L is a packaging nightmare. Big issue is the width of the motor. The Cummins is almost the same footprint as the Triton V10. Slightly longer, but also narrower.

Reliable? Or is it just saving its problems so they happen all at once?

I think that varies immensely. Portland’s transit system covers 530 square miles with 680 busses, used for multiple shifts. Total miles/year = ~45,000,000 which is 66,000 per bus/year, and 181 miles/day. But that’s assuming 7 days/week, and Sunday schedules are quite a bit lighter. Also there’s a substantial number of…

You can’t buy a Transit with less than 12 seats as a result.

I imagine it’s just like driving at high altitude.... The turbo will be spinning faster, and there may be some power loss, but turbo motors still work pretty well in reduced oxygen environments.

Yeah, I’m aware of that. I should have been more clear that the much more powerful 6.2L just simply isn’t an option in anything heavier than the 1500.

Easy. They’ll use the new Expedition shell.