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Seattle snow & ice causing pass rail problems

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  • Member since
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Seattle snow & ice causing pass rail problems
Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, January 19, 2012 9:45 AM
Due to frozen switches on BNSF everything is grinding to a halt around Seattle.  Normallly the weather around seattle never has snow
and then freezing weather so no need for switch heaters. 
Thursday, January 19, 2012 9:45 AM
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Train 1501 (6:10am departure – Seattle to Tacoma) is delayed en route 25 minutes due to frozen switches. This will cause Train 1510 (7:20am departure – Tacoma to Seattle) to be approximately 15 minutes late departing. 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, January 19, 2012 12:31 PM
More frozen switches going north to Everrett:
Thursday, January 19, 2012 11:44 AM
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Sounder Everett to Seattle Train 1705 (6:45 a.m. Everett departure)  may be delayed up to an hour due to

  • Member since
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  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
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Seattle snow causing pass rail problems
Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, January 19, 2012 1:02 PM
Thursday, January 19, 2012 12:53 PM
From:

Central Link Light rail service was temporarily suspended earlier in both directions but has resumed regular service between Westlake Station and Tukwila Station.

Sea Tac Station is closed.

Heading north toward downtown Seattle, board A Line on surface streets adjacent to the stations and transfer to the Link train at Tukwila Station.

Heading south toward Sea Tac Airport, board A-Line on surface streets adjacent to the station. 

More information to follow.

Thank you for your patience.

 


This

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Several trains are experiencing delays on the Sounder north and south lines. The list is as follows:

 Everett to Seattle

Train 1705 (6:45am) – 10 minute delay

 Tacoma to Seattle

Train 1504 (6:00am) – 20 minute delay

Train 1506 (6:25am) – 10 minute delay

Train 1508 (6:50am) – 15 minute delay

Train 1510 (7:20am) – Cancelled

Train 1512 (8:00am) – 15 minute delay

Train 1501/1503 is now delayed 25 minutes due to power outages effecting crossings

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Posted by PNWRMNM on Thursday, January 19, 2012 1:31 PM

Streak,

Sounds like BNSF is doing much better than Sound Transit.  The big problem with snow in Seattle is crewmen getting to work. Wet snow on a hilly city with drivers who forget how to drive on snow between storms creates way too much adventure to going beyond the front door.

One year long ago when I worked for BN at Interbay (Seattle), they fired up the kitchen in the wreck train to feed crewman. I suspect they also let any who wanted to do so sleep on the train as well.

Mac

  • Member since
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  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
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Seattle snow causing pass rail problems
Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, January 19, 2012 5:35 PM

D-M

Tacoma Link light rail shut down due to ice on wires. This is not supposed to happen as the Pacific ocean keeps Tacoma above freezing temps  (usually).

January 19, 2012

Due to the freezing rain and extremely icy conditions, Tacoma Link will not be able to continue operation today. Sound Transit cannot maintain power to the trains due to ice build-up on the overhead lines. Tacoma Link cars do not have heated pantographs or ice cutters as Central Link  does, so Sound Transit has no options for rectifying ice build-up during icy conditions.

A back-up bus service is being set up; details on this service will be communicated to riders via rider alerts and on Sound Transit’s website.

Service on Tacoma Link will resume once the ice storm passes and overhead lines remain clear.

You are always invited to contact me with any questions at 206-370-5511 or erin.hunter@soundtransit.org

If you know others who would benefit from these electronic updates, please invite them to sign up at www.soundtransit.org/subscribe.

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Seattle snow causing pass rail problems
Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, January 19, 2012 5:46 PM
  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,854 posts
Seattle snow causing pass rail problems
Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, January 19, 2012 8:49 PM

Here is Amtrk's announcement.  trees and other debri on the BNSF ROW

 

January 19, 2012
3:30 p.m. PT

 

Amtrak Cascades service between Seattle and Portland is temporarily suspended due to numerous trees and other debis downed by severe weather on tracks operated by BNSF Railway Co. No alternate transportation is available for these trains.

 

Service by Amtrak Cascades trains north of Seattle to Vancouver, B.C. and south of Portland to Eugene, Ore., continues to operate, subject to weather-related delays.

 

Amtrak will announce plans for Friday, January 20, before the start of service for the day.

 

Service by the Amtrak Coast Starlight (Trains 11 & 14) is also suspended between Seattle and Portland, with limited alternate transportation provided to those ticketed passengers.

Passengers who have paid for travel but wish to change plans can receive rail fare refunds or rebook for future travel without a fee or penalty. If tickets have not yet been printed, the modification or cancelation can be done on Amtrak.com or by using the free Amtrak for iPhone app.

Amtrak regrets any inconvenience. This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant. Passengers are encouraged to call 800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com/alerts for Service Alerts and Passenger Notices. Schedule information and train status updates are available at the Amtrak.com home page

  • Member since
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  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
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Seattle snow & ice causing pass rail problems
Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, January 20, 2012 11:42 AM

Still frozen switches on BNSF.

Friday, January 20, 2012 9:38 AM
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Train 1500 (4:55 a.m. Tacoma departure) is delayed en route 40 minutes due to frozen switches south of Tukwila.

And earlier still trees down

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Train 1500 (4:55 a.m. Tacoma departure) is delayed en route 20 minutes waiting for trees to be cleared between Tacoma and Puyallup.

Copy of Amtrak cancelling some SEA - PDX service.

January 20, 2012
6:00 a.m. PT

 

Amtrak Cascades service between Seattle and Portland continues to be temporarily suspended due to numerous trees and other debris downed by severe weather on track operated by BNSF Railway Co. No alternate transportation will be provided today for canceled Amtrak Cascades service.

 

Service by Amtrak Cascades trains north of Seattle to Vancouver, B.C. and south of Portland to Eugene, Ore., continues to operate, subject to weather-related delays.

 

Amtrak will announce additional operating plans for the Amtrak Cascades and Amtrak Coast Starlight (Trains 11 & 14) as they become available.

Passengers who have paid for travel but wish to change plans can receive rail fare refunds or rebook for future travel without a fee or penalty. If tickets have not yet been printed, the modification or cancelation can be done on Amtrak.com or by using the free Amtrak for iPhone app.

Amtrak regrets any inconvenience. This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant. Passengers are encouraged to call 800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com/alerts for Service Alerts and Passenger Notices. Schedule information and train status updates are available at the Amtrak.com home page.

 

 


  • Member since
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  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
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Seattle snow & ice causing pass rail problems
Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, January 20, 2012 7:21 PM
Now sounder is having trouble to Everett and maybe Amtrak ??
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Sounder Northline Train #1700 (4:05 pm Seattle departure) will be delayed an additonal 15 minutes south of Edmonds while crews work to clear debris off track.  Sounder Northline Train #1702 (4:33 pm Seattle departure) also expected to have 35 minute delay.

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