As of 0950 it appears UP and NS has announced plans to move equipment out of New Orleans. Wonder how soon if present predicted path ( always a big if ) goes toward NOL that Amtrak will remove equipment and short turn the Crescent , City of NOL, and Sunset ? Where short turn may be known tomorrow.
New Orleans has been in the cone of uncertainty for at least a day now, latest plot showing the city right in the center of the cone. Even if the center of the storm gives New Orleans wide berth, there's still a good chance of heavy rainfall and a possible storm surge.
UP and NS are doing the right thing.
Just checked No Amtrak from NOL Sunday. Crescent, CNO. Sunset all showing sold out !. Crescent still from BHM. CNO not operating Saturday from NOL. Have not checked inbounds.
Other freight RRs have not posted anything yet. Any bets which freight RR announces last ? KCS, CN, BNSF, CSX ?
Wonder if that train will remove all Amtrak equipment that is movable ? Maybe someone can check for us ?
Amtrak New Orleans Service Disrupted Sunset Limited, Crescent and City of New Orleans trains affected Oct. 6, 2017 1:00 p.m. CT In consultation with the railroads that own, maintain and control the tracks to and from New Orleans, Amtrak is making temporary changes in service this weekend due to Tropical Storm Nate, which is forecasted to become Hurricane Nate along the Gulf Coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
• Sunset Limited (Trains 1 & 2) will terminate and originate in San Antonio instead of New Orleans, with no alternate transportation available between San Antonio and New Orleans. Trains 1 & 2 normally operate three-days-weekly between Los Angeles and New Orleans.
• Crescent (Trains 19 & 20) will terminate and originate in Birmingham instead of New Orleans, with no alternate transportation available between Birmingham and New Orleans, effective tomorrow (Saturday) southbound and in both directions on Sunday. Trains 19 & 20 normally operate daily between New York City and New Orleans.
• City of New Orleans (Trains 58 & 59) will terminate and originate in Jackson, Miss., instead of New Orleans, with no alternate transportation available between Jackson and New Orleans, effective tomorrow (Saturday) southbound and in both directions on Sunday. Trains 58 & 59 normally operate daily between Chicago and New Orleans
I understand the need to terminate the City of New Orleans, Crescent, and Sunset Limited at stations that are well out of the path of the storm. But I don't understand why Amtrak could not contract with area bus operators to carry the passenger bound for NO to the city.
I ride the Texas Eagle from Dallas to San Antonio four or five times a year. On two relatively recent occasions, the train was terminated in Fort Worth for a variety of reasons. Amtrak arranged for buses to take us through to points between Fort Worth and San Antonio.
Rio Grande Valley, CFI,CFII
NS annoubcement
http://www.nscorp.com/content/nscorp/en/service-alerts/tropical-storm-nate---ns-operations-on-the-gulf-coast.html
BNSF announcement
http://domino.bnsf.com/website/updates.nsf/updates-service-consumer/C21C81A4F041CCBB862581B1006B1048?Open
JPS1I understand the need to terminate the City of New Orleans, Crescent, and Sunset Limited at stations that are well out of the path of the storm. But I don't understand why Amtrak could not contract with area bus operators to carry the passenger bound for NO to the city. I ride the Texas Eagle from Dallas to San Antonio four or five times a year. On two relatively recent occasions, the train was terminated in Fort Worth for a variety of reasons. Amtrak arranged for buses to take us through to points between Fort Worth and San Antonio.
It could be that because of the storm, they are not able to get bus company's to step up and provide busses.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
It could also be because the local governments have requisitioned the available busses in case evacuations become necessary.
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