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Help - Need source for Amtrak on time figures

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  • Member since
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Help - Need source for Amtrak on time figures
Posted by MONONC420 on Friday, February 27, 2009 11:33 AM

I am working on a research paper for my English class. I need on time figures for the "Big Four" Class ones. The only ones that I could find on the amtrak site were set up per train, where as I am looking for figures that encompass the entire system. I remember hearing that NS was 2nd in on tim performance, but I need a citable source for that info. TIa for any help,

                               Christian 

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  • From: Chicago, Ill.
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Posted by al-in-chgo on Monday, March 2, 2009 7:49 PM

MONONC420

I am working on a research paper for my English class. I need on time figures for the "Big Four" Class ones. The only ones that I could find on the amtrak site were set up per train, where as I am looking for figures that encompass the entire system. I remember hearing that NS was 2nd in on tim performance, but I need a citable source for that info. TIa for any help,

                               Christian 

Don't forget that Amtrak runs trains over CP and CN lines, too.  An Amtrak System Timetable might be a nice thing to have, because even though it doesn't "rate the roads" it does show "host roads" for Amtrak trains (you may already know that Amtrak also owns a lot of its own line, especially in the Notheast corridor).  Note as well that there's a train or two that uses some short-line trackage as well as the Bigs'. 

As for your statistics, you may get a quicker answer if you put  your question on General Discussion.  I'm surprised no one with the know-how on statistics hasn't gotten back to you sooner, actually.

Good luck!  -   a.s.

al-in-chgo
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Posted by oltmannd on Monday, March 2, 2009 8:54 PM

Amtrak doesn't score the host RRs by measuring running time vs. schedule.  They count up delay minutes that occur on that road for each train operated and then see if it's above or below what they've agreed to by contract.  For example, if the Crescent was delayed between Alexandria and New Orleans for 30 minutes for an engine failure, 10 minutes to load passengers and baggage, 40 minutes due to freight train interference and 15 minutes due to slow orders, only the 55 minutes would be charged to NS. If NS was allowed 60 minutes of delay per train, then the train would count as "on time" for NS, regardless of what time it actually arrived at New Orleans.

There might be some of this delay minute accounting by road on the Amtrak monthly reports on their web site.

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

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Posted by oltmannd on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 6:55 AM

What you are looking for is in the monthly reports.  Here is Decembers's http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/0812monthly.pdf

Look in section E

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

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Posted by 4merroad4man on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 7:23 AM

You should be able to get overal figures on a daily basis and over a specific time period at this site:

http://www.amtrakdelays.com

And then by using a timetable and then doing the math (for an English class, right?) gain specifics for each railroad's timekeeping, in general.

Serving Los Gatos and The Santa Cruz Mountains with the Legendary Colors of the Espee. "Your train, your train....It's MY train!" Papa Boule to Labische in "The Train"

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