Caption: Amtrak Cascades train 519 is seen departing from track leading to Vancouver's Pacific Central Station, with Talgo Pendular Series 8 coachset "Mt Bachelor" and its integrated Control Cab/HEP leading - temporarily. Scheduled to depart at 5:45 PM, it was passing here at 6:30 PM within a mile of the platform.

Most fans consider that the integrated Talgo Control Cab/HEP is NOT one of the better-looking objects intended to lead a train. I've heard it compared to the face of Donald Duck, or a snail without its shell. Talgo coach sections are designed low-slung for cornering performance. A higher cab floor level was required by the 2 axle lead truck, plus having the cab higher than the roof-line of the coaches improves visibility. (Only place I've seen more than 1 axle in a Talgo coachset). The unit number is hard to read, low-contrast black digits near the back of the brown swoosh. There are no illuminated number boards, which is rare.

On this occasion the delayed departure was because of insurmountable technical difficulties with driving the train from the Control Cab. The solution was to wye the train using the CN / Rocky Mountaineer downtown yard. Siemens SC-44 "Charger" locomotive AMTK 1403 will be in the lead when they enter the BNSF/CN New Westminster sub at CN Junction after freight movements had cleared. The control cab has both headlights and red tail lights illuminated, which seems abnormal.