This group's main purpose is to discuss changes and upgrades to the Sounder, a commuter service train operated between Lakewood and Everett via Seattle, Amtrak Cascades Service between Portland and Everett, The Starlight between Seattle and Portland only, and traction operated passenger service railroads in Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Minneapolis.

The Empire Builder is a long-distance overnight service train operated by Amtrak that operates from Chicago to the Pacific Northwest, initially as one train between Chicago and Spokane. At that point, the train splits, sending the forward half of the train, which contains the dining car and the working baggage car to Seattle, and the rear portion of the train containing the sightseer lounge car, a car with glass windows that stretch from the upper deck floor line to the roof of the car, goes on to Portland. During certain heavier travel periods, an extra coach is dropped off the rear of the train or added to the rear of the train at Minneapolis, which handles Minneapolis-Chicago local traffic. On the Empire Builder, both sections contain Sleeping Car Service and regular coach service, as well as checked baggage, which is handled on a baggage coach car between Spokane and Portland on trains 27 and 28.

First Class Passengers receive their choice of boxed dinners on the Portland Section departing stops between Portland and Pasco, and breakfast departing stations between Pasco and Vancouver.

Sleeping Car Passengers may use the Metropolitan Lounges in Portland and Chicago. Metropolitan Lounge users enjoy advanced boarding of their trains.

The Portland Section connects with the Coast Starlight and the Seattle Section connects with Amtrak Cascades Talgos and the Vancouver, British Columbia Thruway Bus.

Northbound Starlight Passengers are bused from Klamath Falls to Pasco to connect with the Empire Builder. Southbound passengers connect in Portland, as usual.