Originally Posted by
AndyPatterson
Several years ago, I remember comparing the train schedule with the bus schedule for Seattle to Bellingham, and being surprised that taking the bus was actually faster than the train! Must have been due to curves on the coastal train route?
The rail line follows the shoreline between a bit north of Mt. Vernon to Bellingham. It is very curvy, and generally has speed restrictions around 35 mph. It is also very scenic.
Interstate 5 is inland and goes along Lake Samish. It has speed limits of 60 and 70 mph (which equates to much traffic actually moving at 70 and 75). I 5 is relatively scenic through there, but not so much as the train, or Chuckanut Drive, which runs up on the cliffs next to the railroad.