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Empire Builder moved to a more southerly route?

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[quote user="kenneo"][quote user="futuremodal"] Kenneo,Here's the rub:  If the EB is rerouted onto the Stampede Pass line like BNSF wants to do, then several things happen that change the entire route structure of the EB with or without that southern Montana reroute/new service....<ol><li>Assuming a continuation of the Portland split, a Stampede Pass reroute would move the site of the split to Pasco.</li><li>Since the Stampede Pass reroute would add 3 or 4 hours to the shedule, for the EB to continue to arrive at Seattle at 7-ish am but continue to leave Seattle at dinertime means it would pass through Spokane at 8 or 9 at night.  Now we're talking potentially increased (read:  more convenient) boardings at Spokane.</li><li>Which also means the arrivals at Whitefish move to the early afternoon.  Does that then detract from the "overnight" experience for Seattle bound passengers"</li><li>Thus if we get a new train from Spokane to Missoula/Billings/on east, does that mean it would be scheduled to meet the EB in Spokane, or will it be scheduled for the primary convenience of the Montana clients?</li></ol>[/quote]Montana won't stand still for the Builder to leave the High Line.  I can understand why the BN wants to move the Builder to the NP, but I also believe that it would be a service disaster and would endanger the Empire Builder's Seattle traffic.[/quote]That does seem to be the media consensus.....<a href="http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070412/OPINION01/704120304/1014/OPINION">http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070412/OPINION01/704120304/1014/OPINION</a>Well, then push will eventually come to shove, because I just can't see Montana being willing to support two trains......<a href="http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/04/14/news/state/53-train.txt">http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/04/14/news/state/53-train.txt</a>(Oops, sorry Spokyone.  Didn't see you had the same link!)[quote]#1  Which is where the NP took its pool cars from the SPS.  The GN cars went to Spokane.[/quote]Well, maybe the State of WA will build that Ellensburg-Lind Cutoff, thus moving the split to Ritzville![:-,][quote]#2  Any schedule change would be West of Spokane.  Altering the Builders time slot East of Spokane would require altering all of the freight traffice slots on the Builders route on all of the railroads involved.  What a nightmare!  It would be better to originate a Spokane-Seattle overnight train about 9 PM or so $$$$$$$$$$$$$$.  Require some really sharp marketing and service need studies and promotions - bur would eliminate any need for parking Seattle cars for occupancy.[/quote]So you're suggesting that a Stampede Pass reroute would force the departure and arrival times to change in Seattle/Portland, rather than allow the changes along the whole route via a dominoe effect?[quote]#3  Won't be an issue.  See #2#4  As long as any new service operates Helena and West, the cluster swap of cars would be at Spokane.  A much better solution, but one that won't fly at present, would be to operate the new service from Williston, ND, via Sidney Livingston, Helena, Missoula, Spokane, Seattle/Portland.This "Yellowstone Run" taking cars from the Builder at Williston in the same manner as now occurrs at Spokane.  The Builder would still carry a Portland section which it would leave at Spokane or Pasco for the "Yellowstone Run" to take to Portland.  A separate "Yellowstone Run" Seattle section would operate Pasco to Seattle.  You would still want to park cars for occupancy at Spokane for both trains East and West (at least 4 coaches and 4 sleepers).  You would not be able to make a swap at Spokane or Pasco because of the difference in running times is too great.  The new "Yellowstone Run" would be ahead of the Builder going East and behind it going West by several hours. [/quote]I'm still not sure if that Williston to Glendive trackage is still there.  Anyone know?It was pointed out at the Helena meeting that the Montana Congressional delegation proposed a Spokane to Denver train back in 2000.  Wow!  How would that train get by the PRB congestion?  Maybe Laurel to Casper via the Wind River Canyon?
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