it is important to note the difference between being stuck in isolated mountain terrain with snowfalls measuring 3-6 feet and drifts much deeper, versus being stuck in prairie with a snowfall of 10-12 inches, drifts deeper, with various roads parallel to the track RoW.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
It was bad in the Midwest, I didn't hear about any cancellations on the River Runner, but did hear they were running late.
I thought of City of SF also, Dad had an article from an old magazine about the train being stuck for days in the Sierras. We went over that route on our first trip to CA, but it was in summer. We could understand how train could be stuck, a very isolated area, hard to reach.
I also thought about the GN train stuck in the Cascades for days and before they could be rescued, an avalanche started and took the train and it's passengers over the cliff. Horrible to think about sitting for days only to have it end like that. That's why I don't like to travel in winter.
A friend lives near Effingham, IL which is a huge truck stop and many were stranded there for hours or even a couple of days, because Interstate #70 and the other one, #157 I think were closed. And of course, we all heard about the nightmares at airports.
In my business I often bemoan the loss of institutional knowledge. The cuts that drifted over probably had not done so in 20 (?) years. The few ( old heads ) that remembered probably were not in a position to warn of possible drifts of 20 ft in cuts. What is worse is that a difference of 30 degrees in wind direction might have changed the whole dynamic. With computers storing the reams of data now going forward all types of problems must be documented so future management is not surprised. Perfect example is the "SANDY" fiasco in New Jersey..
The Chief was a bit more than an hour behind schedule, and was the first eastbound Amtrak. The Illinois Zephyr started almost 5 hours late, and was held due to the problems, then asked to go help the Chief, but it couldn't pull the Chief out of the drift. This area is rolling country with many cuts 20 feet or more deep, and often pretty long. Reports were that the drift involved was 12 feet deep.
The Cal Zephyr was held at Galesburg, where it spent the night.
Residual Delays Expected
Jan. 7, 2014 7:30 p.m. CT
Amtrak is working to restore normal service following historic cold temperatures and other weather-related disruptions. More service will operate this Wednesday than Tuesday. Full restoration remains a goal to be achieved, based on setting crews and equipment in correct rotations. The following Chicago Hub Services will not be available on Wednesday, Jan. 8: • Lincoln Service Trains 300, 301, 304 & 305 are canceled. (Trains 302, 303, 306 & 307 and Trains 21/321 & 22/322 will maintain service on the Chicago-St. Louis corridor) • Hiawatha Service Trains 329, 332, 333, 336, 337 & 340 are canceled. (Trains 330, 331, 334, 335, 338 & 339 will maintain service on the Chicago-Milwaukee corridor) • Wolverine Service Trains 352 & 353 are canceled. (Trains 350, 351, 354 & 355 will maintain service on the Chicago-Ann Arbor-Detroit-Pontiac corridor) • Illinois Zephyr Train 380 & Carl Sandburg Trains 381 & 382 are canceled. (Train 383 will be the only service on the Chicago-Quincy corridor) • Saluki Trains 391 & 392 are canceled. (Trains 390 & 393 and Trains 58 & 59 will maintain service on the Chicago-Carbondale corridor)
This is the old CBQ. Reportedly, the trains are stuck near Zearing and a rotary and dozers are being moved in to help remove the trains.
All:
CNN has a story about three trains (Cal Zephyr, SW Chief, and third train) stuck in the snow southwest of Chicago. The cars are freezing up.
Was this former CBQ? In my 38 years of railroading (NP-BN-BNSF) this is the first time I have heard about Amtrak being snowed in. Buses are coming for the passengers.
I immediately thought of the City of SF many years ago.
Ed Burns
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