Trains.com

Nor easter causing havoc and now another 3/07 another 3/21

4009 views
23 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Nor easter causing havoc and now another 3/07 another 3/21
Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, March 2, 2018 3:33 PM

Almost all oprators are experiencing delays and cancellations WASH - BOS due to the storm.  High winds are bringing down trees onto tracks and CAT wire. When will the RRs learn to trim back the trees ?. 

Amtrak cancelled most train this morning believe they may be starting up this afternoon ?  SEPTA seems to be in the best operating ability ?

Amtrak wire problems at Secacus.  Here is NJ Transit bulletin.

Travel Alerts
Mar 02, 2018  04:32:53 PM
PATH is accepting NJ Transit tickets and passes at Newark Penn Station, Hoboken and NY 33rd St.
Mar 02, 2018  04:30:09 PM
NEC train #3943, the 4:13pm from PSNY is CANCELLED due to an Amtrak overhead wire problem near Secaucus.
Mar 02, 2018  04:28:57 PM
NEC train #3721, the 4:07pm from PSNY is CANCELLED due to an Amtrak overhead wire problem near Secaucus.
Mar 02, 2018  04:23:01 PM
Update: NEC train #3853, the 3:26pm from NPS, is now up to 40 min. late due to an Amtrak overhead wire problem near Secaucus.
Mar 02, 2018  04:10:39 PM
Train service in and out of Penn Station New York is subject to up to 60 minute delays due to an Amtrak overhead wire problem near Secaucus.
Mar 02, 2018  04:10:26 PM
NJT Rail service is subject to up to 20 minute delays system wide due to inclement weather.
 

 MBTA bulletin

https://www.mbta.com/alerts/commuter-rail#commuter-rail-tab

MNRR bulletin

Special Service Notices

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, March 2, 2018 4:18 PM

SEPTA

Regional Rail:
Media/Elwyn : Passengers may board all trains from their normal boarding locations between Secane and 49th Street Stations. Service is operating with delays of up to 60 minutes due to weather-related problems.
Airport, Fox Chase, Manayunk/Norristown, Wilmington/Newark : Service is operating with delays of up to 60 minutes due to weather-related problems.
Chestnut Hill East, Chestnut Hill West, Cynwyd, Glenside Combined, Lansdale/Doylestown, Paoli/Thorndale, Trenton, Warminster, West Trenton : Service is suspended until further notice due to deteriorating weather conditions and power problems. Alternative service options are
online.
Market/Frankford:
Market/Frankford Line : There is no A-B skip/stop service today due to weather conditions. Trains will stop at all stations for passenger convenience.
Norristown High Speed Line:
Norristown High Speed Line : Shuttle buses are operating between 69th Street Terminal and Township Line Road due to a down tree near Parkview Station. Expect delays of up to 25 minutes.

 
  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, March 2, 2018 4:32 PM
 
MARC
Attention MARC Commuters:  MARC Train service will not operate on Friday, March 2 due to the severe weather affecting the region. The Federal Government is closed and many other transportation providers are curtailing service. Trees are beginning to fall blocking tracks and signal failures are occurring.
 
 
 
We regret any inconvenience due to the suspension of service, however, the safety of our passengers and employees is our first and foremost concern.
 
 
 
A decision regarding the status of weekend Penn Line service for Saturday, March 3 will be made later today.

 

VRE

Out of an abundance of caution due to the severe winds, and based on feedback from our host railroads, VRE will cancel service today, March 2, 2018.

Attention MARC Commuters:  MARC Train service will not operate on Friday, March 2 due to the severe weather affecting the region. The Federal Government is closed and many other transportation providers are curtailing service. Trees are beginning to fall blocking tracks and signal failures are occurring.
 
MARC
 
We regret any inconvenience due to the suspension of service, however, the safety of our passengers and employees is our first and foremost concern.
 
 
 
A decision regarding the status of weekend Penn Line service for Saturday, March 3 will be made later today.
 
FROM AMTRAK

Amtrak Continues Temporary Service Suspension Along the Northeast Corridor and Keystone Service due to Nor’easter

Friday, March 2, 2018 3:15 PM ET

Amtrak service has been temporarily suspended between New York, N.Y. and Boston, Mass. due to inclement weather conditions as a result of the Nor’easter until at least 6 p.m. Service between Washington, D.C. and New York, N.Y. will be suspended until 4 p.m. Amtrak Keystone Service is also temporarily suspended until at least 4p.m.

We are evaluating conditions and making damage repairs along the Northeast Corridor. Major flooding, high winds, and many downed trees have unfortunately caused multiple issues and our crews are diligently working to restore service.

Information will be updated as it becomes available.

Amtrak regrets any inconvenience. This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant.

 

 

Regular service will resume on Monday, March 5, 2018.

 

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Friday, March 2, 2018 5:45 PM

Numerous flights have been cancelled by the airlines.

Transportation and high winds don't play well together.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Henrico, VA
  • 8,955 posts
Posted by Firelock76 on Friday, March 2, 2018 9:29 PM

We even felt some of it down here in the Richmond VA area, sunny skies but VERY high winds all day.  We lost power around 2:00 PM and didn't get it back until 9:30.

Hey, we were ready, out came the car inspectors lanterns, the "Atomic Lantern," and the sterno stove!  Got to have my coffee, ya' know!

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Friday, March 2, 2018 10:00 PM

My Maryland home has lost power.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    September 2013
  • 6,199 posts
Posted by Miningman on Friday, March 2, 2018 10:15 PM

Hang in there guys!!

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Matthews NC
  • 363 posts
Posted by matthewsaggie on Friday, March 2, 2018 10:36 PM

Daughter drove through Richmond VA this afternoon on I-95 and a tree fell across southbound 95 directly in front of her blocking all the southbound lanes. She managed to stop in time. Lot of wind she said. 

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Henrico, VA
  • 8,955 posts
Posted by Firelock76 on Saturday, March 3, 2018 8:05 AM

Thank goodness she's safe!  I assume she got home OK?

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Toronto, Canada
  • 2,560 posts
Posted by 54light15 on Saturday, March 3, 2018 9:35 AM

Here in the great frozen North, we were supposed to get a blizzard. It's clear and sunny, cold and no snow. 

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Sunday, March 4, 2018 5:54 PM

My son-in-law made a trip over to my house - all the trees in the neighborhood are still standing - including the big pine tree on my property that I had fears about.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, March 5, 2018 3:12 AM

BaltACD

My son-in-law made a trip over to my house - all the trees in the neighborhood are still standing - including the big pine tree on my property that I had fears about. 

Balt know your concerns.  Got rid of all mine few years ago after several near misses.  But still get lots of pine straw during windy storms from other locations.

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 10:57 PM

Reported Amtrak may canel man y trains Wedensday  7th ?  Guess they expect many persons to not travel ?

  • Member since
    May 2015
  • 1,836 posts
Posted by 243129 on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 1:39 PM

In my entire railroad career I never experienced a system shutdown...........until Amtrak took over operations on the Northeast Corridor (NEC). I would like to share with you excerpts of a letter dated January 30 2011 I wrote to then Amtrak president Joseph Boardman. It was received, I sent it registered mail return receipt requested,and not surprisingly ignored.

The excerpt:

The snow emergency plan that has been formulated for the New England Division looks good on paper but when it snows the weather is greeted with 'surprise' and chaos usually results. The storm of December 26,2010 is a prime example. Chaos reigned supreme, trains were cancelled and the service disruption was catastrophic- Airlines were grounded and highways were impassable, this was Amtrak's opportunity to shine. They did not. The "Blizzard of '78" which dumped 28 inches of snow accompanied with sustained hurricane force winds of 86 MPH and gusts recorded to 111 MPH had iiterally shut down the entire Northeast and guess what? Amtrak shone! Scheduled service could not be maintained but trains moved albeit slowly but they moved and stopped along the right of way to pick up anyone at anyplace and deposit them at the place of their choice. Amtrak was the first and only form of public transportation moving in the Northeast for days! The storm of December 26,2010 was miniscule by comparison and Amtrak 'dropped the ball' so to speak. Why? In 1978 Amtrak had Conrail employees under contract to dispatch and operate it's trains. These were seasoned railroad employees that is why.

January 12, 2011 and another storm is in our midst and again chaos reigns. Trains are cancelled. The reasons being given are trees have fallen in Rhode Island causing damage to the overhead wire. Also a 7 mile stretch of track has been out of service in Connecticut due to bridge replacement and management feels that if a breakdown occured on the remaining adjacent in service track that it would be a danger to the well being of passengers and an enormous service disruption. As I stated previously railroading is not rocket science and through experience these two situations could have been avoided and remedied.

Situation #l: Trees in the overhead. The electrification to Boston was completed circa 1998 why weren't the trees, with an eye on future growth, cut back to avoid damaging the catenary system? The 'worker bees' back then had wondered and mentioned this and were politely ignored . Conversely a hill above the East Haven tunnel was literally defoliated with every inch of vegetation removed for no apparent reason rendering this area ripe for a huge mudslide which could result in a service disruption totaling days not hours.

Situation #2: Worried about a breakdowm on a 7 mile stretch of single track? Station a pair of diesel engines nearby to remove a broken down train thereby minimizing delays and safeguarding passengers. Cheap insurance.

January 27 and yet another storm and.. .. another SNAFU. All service is shut down between New York and Boston. So much for the Winter Storm Procedure manual. This to me is unacceptable and unnecessary and could be avoided with the proper planning and implementation of that planning.

  • Member since
    December 2017
  • From: I've been everywhere, man
  • 4,269 posts
Posted by SD70Dude on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 4:45 PM

Well said Sir!

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 9:14 PM

Why opeerate a number of Amtrak trains when there will be very few traveling ?  All along the NEC very few transit systems are operating anywhere near full service.  State of emergency in effect for many jurisdictions with all but emergency personel restricted from traveling.  Many local governments and business shut down.

Remember in the past many of these restrictions were not implemented !

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 10:30 PM

3/08 Amtrak schedule.  Quite a few cancellations.

 

Amtrak Temporarily Suspends Northeast Corridor Service Between Boston and New York Until 10 a.m. on Thursday

March 7, 2018

Winter Storm Continues to Impact Train Schedules

10 p.m. ET

Amtrak service has been temporarily suspended between New York City and Boston, Mass. until at least 10 a.m. on Thursday due to inclement weather. Service will be restored pending improved conditions.

For the remainder of Wednesday evening, Amtrak Northeast Regional Trains 148, 94 and 66 are now terminating in New York City. Amtrak Northeast Regional train 175 has been cancelled in New Haven, Conn. Amtrak Northeast Regional Train 67 is only operating between New York City and Newport News, Va. Amtrak Northeast Regional train 177 is only operating between New York City and Washington, D.C.

Amtrak Keystone Service (New York – Philadelphia - Harrisburg) and Amtrak Empire Service (New York to Albany-Rensselaer) will continue to operate on a modified schedule for Thursday, March 8.

Expanded canceled service for Thursday, March 8 now includes:

Northeast Regional Service: 151,111,183,193,187,180,130,184,186,188,

Acela Express Service: 2190, 2150, 2100, 2104, 2110, 2166, 2126, 2128, 2103, 2107, 2151, 2117, 2121, 2165, 2119, 2154, 2155, 2159

Acela Express Service train 2163 will operate between New York City and Washington, D.C. only

Keystone Service: 605, 609, 647, 651,642, 646, 656, 620, 641, 640

Empire Service: 230, 234, 238, 242, 233, 235, 239, 243

Amtrak Downeaster Service north of Boston and Amtrak Shuttle Service between New Haven, Conn., and Springfield, Mass. will continue to operate as scheduled.

Customers with reservations on trains that are being modified will be contacted and accommodated on trains with similar departure times or another day. For customers looking to change reservations for travel tomorrow, Amtrak will waive the change fee (customers must contact the reservation center at 1-800-USA-RAIL). Anyone planning to travel should check their train status prior to departing, allow extra time to get to the station and be extremely careful in stations and on platforms.

We are evaluating conditions and making damage repairs along the Northeast Corridor. High winds and downed trees have caused multiple issues and our crews are diligently working to restore service. Learn more about the extra measures Amtrak takes to ensure reliable service and safety during inclement weather.

 

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: South Dakota
  • 1,592 posts
Posted by Dakguy201 on Thursday, March 8, 2018 5:58 AM

From the Amtrak press update:

 

"Expanded canceled service for Thursday, March 8 now includes:"

That is an unfortunate wording.  Have the cancellations been expanded?  Alternately, have the service offerings been expanded?  I guess you need to go stand on a platform somewhere to be sure!

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Thursday, March 8, 2018 7:39 AM

Dakguy201
"Expanded canceled service for Thursday, March 8 now includes:"

As in Meet the Applegates: "You can't put too much water in a nuclear reactor."

They knew what they meant, so we should all, too.  Unfortunately some of us think too much.  Even "extended cancellations" would have solved the issue at a stroke.  Perhaps this is part of an end-run around the "English first" nativists by gradually destroying the language itself in favor of a crippled variant of Newspeak merged with Military-Industrial ... leaving Arabic, Spanish et al. the only languages standing by default.  (And we will be reminded that Arabic in particular was the language of scientific preservation in a great part of the Dark Ages...)

I was impressed even more with that 'trains that are being modified'.  In the best 'have a nice day' SanFran tradition?

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Thursday, March 8, 2018 8:26 AM

No railraod - repeat - No railroad in the 21st Century has sufficient manpower on payroll to reliably operate throught heavy duty winter storms.

Not only do they NOT have the manpower, the manpower they do have relies upon the efforts of state highway departments to be able to move from their homes to their work location.

The 21st Century is not the 20th Century.  In the heyday of reliable rail transportation - section crews were stationed every 8 - 10 miles along a route - the memebers of the section crews lived within walking distance of their reporting location and then had full access to all the tools required.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    July 2011
  • 380 posts
Posted by runnerdude48 on Thursday, March 8, 2018 1:48 PM

Balt, if the railroads of today staffed section crews every 8 - 10 miles apart they wouldn't exist.  Back in the day crews were not paid what they are today.  i used to work for a utility company and people were constantly complaining about high electricity rates.  Yet when the power went out due to a storm they complained about the company not hiring enough line workers for quicker repairs.  Well, we could station a line truck with 2 crew members every mile but it is going to cost alot of money.  Same as a railroad staffing a section crew every 8 - 10 miles.  You can't staff for the occasional storm without having to charge so much that your customers go elsewhere.  Better to ocassionaly inconvenience the passengers who can make other arrangements in this day of modern weather forecasting.  Work at home, stay with friends, relatives or in a hotel, if you're like me and have no relatives and very, very few friends.

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 8:57 PM
  • Member since
    May 2015
  • 1,836 posts
Posted by 243129 on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 9:22 PM

blue streak 1
 
MARC
Attention MARC Commuters:  MARC Train service will not operate on Friday, March 2 due to the severe weather affecting the region. The Federal Government is closed and many other transportation providers are curtailing service. Trees are beginning to fall blocking tracks and signal failures are occurring.
 
 
 
We regret any inconvenience due to the suspension of service, however, the safety of our passengers and employees is our first and foremost concern.
 
 
 
A decision regarding the status of weekend Penn Line service for Saturday, March 3 will be made later today.

 

VRE

Out of an abundance of caution due to the severe winds, and based on feedback from our host railroads, VRE will cancel service today, March 2, 2018.

Attention MARC Commuters:  MARC Train service will not operate on Friday, March 2 due to the severe weather affecting the region. The Federal Government is closed and many other transportation providers are curtailing service. Trees are beginning to fall blocking tracks and signal failures are occurring.
 
MARC
 
We regret any inconvenience due to the suspension of service, however, the safety of our passengers and employees is our first and foremost concern.
 
 
 
A decision regarding the status of weekend Penn Line service for Saturday, March 3 will be made later today.
 
FROM AMTRAK

Amtrak Continues Temporary Service Suspension Along the Northeast Corridor and Keystone Service due to Nor’easter

Friday, March 2, 2018 3:15 PM ET

Amtrak service has been temporarily suspended between New York, N.Y. and Boston, Mass. due to inclement weather conditions as a result of the Nor’easter until at least 6 p.m. Service between Washington, D.C. and New York, N.Y. will be suspended until 4 p.m. Amtrak Keystone Service is also temporarily suspended until at least 4p.m.

We are evaluating conditions and making damage repairs along the Northeast Corridor. Major flooding, high winds, and many downed trees have unfortunately caused multiple issues and our crews are diligently working to restore service.

Information will be updated as it becomes available.

Amtrak regrets any inconvenience. This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant.

 

 

Regular service will resume on Monday, March 5, 2018.

 

 

In my entire railroad career (1963-2014)  I never experienced a system shutdown...........until Amtrak took over operations on the Northeast Corridor (NEC). I would like to share with you excerpts of a letter dated January 30 2011 I wrote to then Amtrak president Joseph Boardman. It was received, I sent it registered mail return receipt requested,and not surprisingly ignored.

The excerpt:

The snow emergency plan that has been formulated for the New England Division looks good on paper but when it snows the weather is greeted with 'surprise' and chaos usually results. The storm of December 26,2010 is a prime example. Chaos reigned supreme, trains were cancelled and the service disruption was catastrophic- Airlines were grounded and highways were impassable, this was Amtrak's opportunity to shine. They did not. The "Blizzard of '78" which dumped 28 inches of snow accompanied with sustained hurricane force winds of 86 MPH and gusts recorded to 111 MPH had iiterally shut down the entire Northeast and guess what? Amtrak shone! Scheduled service could not be maintained but trains moved albeit slowly but they moved and stopped along the right of way to pick up anyone at anyplace and deposit them at the place of their choice. Amtrak was the first and only form of public transportation moving in the Northeast for days! The storm of December 26,2010 was miniscule by comparison and Amtrak 'dropped the ball' so to speak. Why? In 1978 Amtrak had Conrail employees under contract to dispatch and operate it's trains. These were seasoned railroad employees that is why.

January 12, 2011 and another storm is in our midst and again chaos reigns. Trains are cancelled. The reasons being given are trees have fallen in Rhode Island causing damage to the overhead wire. Also a 7 mile stretch of track has been out of service in Connecticut due to bridge replacement and management feels that if a breakdown occured on the remaining adjacent in service track that it would be a danger to the well being of passengers and an enormous service disruption. As I stated previously railroading is not rocket science and through experience these two situations could have been avoided or remedied.

Situation #l: Trees in the overhead. The electrification to Boston was completed circa 1998 why weren't the trees, with an eye on future growth, cut back to avoid damaging the catenary system? The 'worker bees' back then had wondered and mentioned this and were politely ignored . Conversely a hill above the East Haven tunnel was literally defoliated with every inch of vegetation removed for no apparent reason rendering this area ripe for a huge mudslide which could result in a service disruption totaling days not hours.

Situation #2: Worried about a breakdowm on a 7 mile stretch of single track? Station a pair of diesel engines nearby to remove a broken down train thereby minimizing delays and safeguarding passengers. Cheap insurance.

January 27 and yet another storm and.. .. another SNAFU. All service is shut down between New York and Boston. So much for the Winter Storm Procedure manual. This to me is unacceptable and unnecessary and could be avoided with the proper planning and implementation of that planning.

Well not much has changed EXCEPT Amtrak now shuts down the entire NEC !

This is Amtrak's time to shine and again they have 'dropped the ball'. Progress? The only progress I see is backwards.

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 5:26 AM

All MARC service cancelled !

 
 
MARC Service Alert <alert@mtamarylandalerts.com>
To
MTA Maryland Alerts Subscriber
Today at 4:38 AM

 

 SEPTA on Saturday schedule !

 

 

 

Winter Weather

Winter Storm Service Information for Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Due to the winter storm forecast for our area, service on your Bus, Train, or Trolley may be adjusted or suspended based on weather conditions. Customers should refer to the information below for service during the storm.

Scroll down for general storm information, customer contact information, and travel tips.

Regional Rail:

The Regional Rail Severe Storm Schedule will be in effect on Wednesday, March 21st. ALL Regional Rail Trains will operate on a SATURDAY schedule, with enhanced Wilmington/Newark Line service to Newark and Churchmans Crossing Stations.

  • The Cynwyd Line will not operate
  • Midday busing on the Lansdale/Doylestown Line has been cancelled. Trains will operate at all stations.


Customers can check the status of their train in real-time via TrainView or follow your Regional Rail Line on Twitter.

 

NJTransit

Mar 21, 2018  04:57:23 AM
Today March 21, NJ Transit has implemented its Severe Weather Schedule Level 1 on its rail system as significant heavy, wet snow accumulation is expected throughout the state.

Cross-honoring is in effect on NJ TRANSIT bus, private bus carriers, rail, light rail and PATH at Newark, Hoboken and 33rd St. in New York.

Mar 21, 2018  04:44:11 AM
NEC and NJCL schedules have been modified to accommodate Amtrak track rehabilitation work at Penn Station New York. Other train lines may have adjustments in schedule times as well.
Service Advisories

 

Additional service information is available on the Severe Storm Schedule page.

Bus:

 

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy