Well the derailment in northern California on a bridge means another ~ 30 day closure.
https://www.up.com/customers/announcements/customernews/generalannouncements/CN2017-28.html
Anyone have a count of how many bridges this makes for UP to repair in the past 12 months ?
In view of the number of bridges in the UP system, the % of such events is still pretty low.
Anyway, a major disruption and headache for all involved - Operations, Engineering, Mechanical (picking up the derailment) - maybe only C&S doesn't have a big impact affecting it.
- PDN.
blue streak 1 and Paul D. North Jr. (Both 4-27):
Both of you are right in your own way. UP has by coincidence suffered a number of bridge problems in recent years. But, when looked at that bridges normally last for decades, even more than a century, bridge problems are indeed rare.
In contrast to the bridge in question in this thread, south of Dunsmuir, CA, what this forum contributor wonders is about that OTHER north-south line route, through the Feather River Canyon, that had a major landslide-rockslide there, if that line is still closed too or open now. Has that problem been repaired yet, or are BOTH northern California lines now out of service?
Best,
K.P.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K.P.’s absolute “theorem” from early, early childhood that he has seen over and over and over again: Those that CAUSE a problem in the first place will act the most violently if questioned or exposed.
The detour map inplies that Canyon open however found this:
http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2017/02/27-union-pacifics-feather-river-canyon-route-still-closed
Did not find anything about the Canyon on UP site.
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
Well, the Coast Starlight is heading north towards Salinas with no specific status showing, though it is in about the right place on the Amtrak "Track a Train" map for its scheduled 6:28 PM arrival.
A southbound Starlight shows now at Portland, again without specific status showing.
Later tonight, it might be interesting to see what shows on the Amtrak map, as I recall that when the CalZephyr detoured EB through Rochelle some time back, the icon showed where they actually were, which of course was not on their regular route. I also recall that it was deep in dusk when the Zep came through the diamonds.
Alternative is for Amtrak to stop on either side of the bridge outage and bus passengers around. It will be interesting to see. As of now, there is no service advisory up about detours and canceled stops.
Coast Starlight route time now at end of May. As well flooding delays in the midwest. No indications if any bridges involved ?
https://www.up.com/customers/announcements/customernews/allcustomernews/CN2017-29.html
There is no mention of a service disruption of the Coast Starlight on the Amtrak website. The two Starlights in California indicate a position on the Amtrak "Track Your Train" map about where they should be, but the one that departed Seattle this morning is nowhere to be found on that map.
From the UP page Blue linked to: "Additionally, we are experiencing major power outages across a 100-mile area around Pratt, Kansas caused by ice. Crews are putting generators in place to maintain rail crossings, and we expect service to return to normal levels over the next 36 to 48 hours." Ice? It's the second of May, for crying out loud. Sheesh. In May, ice should be found only in adult beverages. (Well, not in parts of Kansas, I hear.)
Just because it isn't supposed to happen doesn't mean it won't happen. A freak snowstorm did occur to cause the aforementioned problems and major delays on the "Southwest Chief".
Finally found the Amtrak service update on the Coast Starlight:
Due to significant bridge damage, which occurred near Redding, CA, on April 25, 2017, service changes have been made to Coast Starlight that are expected to continue through mid-May.
Trains 11 and 14 will operate according to the normal schedule between Los Angeles and Sacramento only, and the Pacific Parlour Car will not be available. All train and Thruway bus connections to and from the Coast Starlight between Los Angeles and Sacramento will continue.
The Coast Starlight will not operate north of Sacramento to Seattle. Customers traveling between Seattle and Eugene can make reservations aboard our Amtrak Cascades trains. Coast Starlight customers traveling between Seattle and Eugene who are connecting to or from the Empire Builder in Seattle or Portland will be re-accommodated aboard the Amtrak Cascades.
Passengers ticketed for travel to or from Chico, Redding, Dunsmuir, CA or Klamath Falls and Chemult, OR, should contact 1-800-USA-RAIL for further information and options, as there is no service at these cities.
Beginning Saturday, April 29, 2017, and for the duration of this service disruption:
Union Pacific crews are working to make repairs and restore service. This information is current as of April 28, 2017, and will be updated as more details become available.
We appreciate your patronage and apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you for traveling with Amtrak.
Reportedly, K.P. will be dispatched to up in northern California before the end of the month, right near the bridge outage. Aerials suggest the bridge might (“might”) be visible from the I-5 Freeway, but stopping on the freeway likely is prohibited. Does anyone know if the bridge is photographable?
While K.P. will be up in northern California, does anyone know if the UP Feather River Canyon bad track outage is still out and if it is visible from California State Route 70, and where exactly it is in the Canyon?
Just got a bulletin from the UP that the bridge is fixed and the line is open!
https://www.up.com/customers/announcements/customernews/allcustomernews/CN2017-32.html
12 days !!! Has to be an interesting story there.
Meanwhile, down in Atlanta . . . how's that project going ?
Ga DOT is calling for a May 25th opening of I-85. Appears that it may even be a few days earlier for southbound section. GA DOT is also doing a repaving of I-85 both ways from the interchange of I-75 / I-85. That is location of Atlanta Amtrak station. Going to I-85 /I-285 that was planned for later in the summer now so I-85 will not experience the repaving slowdowns. 2 projects in one time period..
MarknLisa Just got a bulletin from the UP that the bridge is fixed and the line is open! https://www.up.com/customers/announcements/customernews/allcustomernews/CN2017-32.html
No word yet on the Amtrak site regarding the Starlight. 14 is north of San Jose now and 11 is almost to LAUS slightly late (~22 min or so).
Stay tuned, I guess.
UPDATE: A Southbound 11 Shows on the AMTRAK tracker as being north of Chemult tonight (Wednesday, 5/10/17) and Northbound 14 is heading for Salinas, all at about 6:15 PDT. Back to business as usual.
A friend rode the SW Chief a couple of weeks ago and a windstorm and snow in western KS knocked out electric power in some areas including rail crossings. A crew member had to get out and pull down the arms at each crossing before train went thru and then when it did, push the arms back up and reboard. They went very slow for a while as there were a lot of crossings. Their group was already a day late, having arrived in KC on River Runner hours late due to boulder falling on tracks between Hermann and Jeff City, MO. The train hit it and piece was caught under the front. The woman conductor got out and used some kind of pry bar to pull it loose. But they had to wait on UP maintenance people to check the front of engine which had been dented. But she said Amtrak put them up at hotels, paid for meals etc because they had until next day to board the Chief. And they passed out snacks and water during the slow crawl across KS resetting crossings. She praised the way they were treated, unlike the way airlines are doing today. JUST ANOTHER DAY IN THE LIFE OF RIDING TRAINS-EXPECT ANYTHING BECAUSE IT CAN HAPPEN AND OFTEN DOES.
Sunnyland A friend rode the SW Chief a couple of weeks ago and a windstorm and snow in western KS knocked out electric power in some areas including rail crossings. A crew member had to get out and pull down the arms at each crossing before train went thru and then when it did, push the arms back up and reboard. They went very slow for a while as there were a lot of crossings. Their group was already a day late, having arrived in KC on River Runner hours late due to boulder falling on tracks between Hermann and Jeff City, MO. The train hit it and piece was caught under the front. The woman conductor got out and used some kind of pry bar to pull it loose. But they had to wait on UP maintenance people to check the front of engine which had been dented. But she said Amtrak put them up at hotels, paid for meals etc because they had until next day to board the Chief. And they passed out snacks and water during the slow crawl across KS resetting crossings. She praised the way they were treated, unlike the way airlines are doing today. JUST ANOTHER DAY IN THE LIFE OF RIDING TRAINS-EXPECT ANYTHING BECAUSE IT CAN HAPPEN AND OFTEN DOES.
Just a couple of questions come to mind here:
It was the train to Kansas City from St. Louis, not the Southwest Chief. that hit a rock.
Johnny
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