U.P. delaying Amtrak

[kenneo]

UP has not turned over a new leaf. I and a group of 10 others went to Portland Union Station to catch #500 (from Eugene) to Seattle. UP had delayed # 500 at origin to run a freight ahead with a setout at Albany, where the freight went on the ground blocking #500. Arrived in Portland 2 hours late on 110 mile run. The Portland connection for the Empire Builder (#7), train #27, having run from Chicago via CP and BNSF, arrived 20 minutes early.

Returning on #509, we were ahead at every station stop until Vancouver (BNSF) where a tug and barge had the Columbia Draw open against us. Departed Vancouver 20 mins late, arrived in Portland 15 mins late. AMTK gave us less that 5 minutes to off load and load to make it within the "required to keep the train on time" 20 minute window. They made it with #509 departing 18 minutes late from Portland. Of course, it was much later into Eugene.

[kenneo]

UP has not turned over a new leaf. I and a group of 10 others went to Portland Union Station to catch #500 (from Eugene) to Seattle. UP had delayed # 500 at origin to run a freight ahead with a setout at Albany, where the freight went on the ground blocking #500. Arrived in Portland 2 hours late on 110 mile run. The Portland connection for the Empire Builder (#7), train #27, having run from Chicago via CP and BNSF, arrived 20 minutes early.

Returning on #509, we were ahead at every station stop until Vancouver (BNSF) where a tug and barge had the Columbia Draw open against us. Departed Vancouver 20 mins late, arrived in Portland 15 mins late. AMTK gave us less that 5 minutes to off load and load to make it within the "required to keep the train on time" 20 minute window. They made it with #509 departing 18 minutes late from Portland. Of course, it was much later into Eugene.

[jchnhtfd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by zardoz1

The Amtrak trains between Chicago and Milwaukee are very rarely interfered with by the CP. From what I hear on the scanner, the CP goes out of its way to accomodate the Amtrak trains (7 daily round trip "locals", plus #7&8). Granted, having two-track CTC helps, but the CP does seem to try.

Again humbly... CP has learned the benefits of a scheduled railroad, too. Amazing... I like to think that CN was 'first' (in the 21st century) but CP had to learn to keep at least even with the competition!

[jchnhtfd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by zardoz1

The Amtrak trains between Chicago and Milwaukee are very rarely interfered with by the CP. From what I hear on the scanner, the CP goes out of its way to accomodate the Amtrak trains (7 daily round trip "locals", plus #7&8). Granted, having two-track CTC helps, but the CP does seem to try.

Again humbly... CP has learned the benefits of a scheduled railroad, too. Amazing... I like to think that CN was 'first' (in the 21st century) but CP had to learn to keep at least even with the competition!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Amtrak officials must read the Trains Forum. 2 days in a row and Amtrak has been on time or pretty close to it. Hmmmm.....

Mookie

Madam La M, We are still working 10 hour shifts so I am getting off at 2 am. I don't go to bed now until 5 or 6 am. This morning I remembered Tom Stuart's trip and wanted to see how his train was doing so I checked the Amtrak site. Remember he said it would be better for him if the train was late. It is due in Little Rock at 4:30 am for the southbound to Dallas and beyond. The train was actually about 10 minutes EARLY. IT DEPARTED ON TIME. This train is running on UP (ex MOPAC) tracks. WOW, maybe UP has turned over a new leaf.

It will be interesting if Tom S makes another post and tells us more about his trip.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Amtrak officials must read the Trains Forum. 2 days in a row and Amtrak has been on time or pretty close to it. Hmmmm.....

Mookie

Madam La M, We are still working 10 hour shifts so I am getting off at 2 am. I don't go to bed now until 5 or 6 am. This morning I remembered Tom Stuart's trip and wanted to see how his train was doing so I checked the Amtrak site. Remember he said it would be better for him if the train was late. It is due in Little Rock at 4:30 am for the southbound to Dallas and beyond. The train was actually about 10 minutes EARLY. IT DEPARTED ON TIME. This train is running on UP (ex MOPAC) tracks. WOW, maybe UP has turned over a new leaf.

It will be interesting if Tom S makes another post and tells us more about his trip.

[zardoz]

The Amtrak trains between Chicago and Milwaukee are very rarely interfered with by the CP. From what I hear on the scanner, the CP goes out of its way to accomodate the Amtrak trains (7 daily round trip "locals", plus #7&8). Granted, having two-track CTC helps, but the CP does seem to try.

[zardoz]

The Amtrak trains between Chicago and Milwaukee are very rarely interfered with by the CP. From what I hear on the scanner, the CP goes out of its way to accomodate the Amtrak trains (7 daily round trip "locals", plus #7&8). Granted, having two-track CTC helps, but the CP does seem to try.

[Mookie]

Amtrak officials must read the Trains Forum. 2 days in a row and Amtrak has been on time or pretty close to it. Hmmmm.....

Mookie

[Mookie]

Amtrak officials must read the Trains Forum. 2 days in a row and Amtrak has been on time or pretty close to it. Hmmmm.....

Mookie

[kenneo]

UPRR-MDC -- If you were riding a commuter or state supported AMTK train on the UP, it most probably was on time. If the UP wants to do anything in the affected state, that state must approve it it one form or another. Ergo, UP treats these trains very nicely. Not so AMTK Fed-only supported trains.

[kenneo]

UPRR-MDC -- If you were riding a commuter or state supported AMTK train on the UP, it most probably was on time. If the UP wants to do anything in the affected state, that state must approve it it one form or another. Ergo, UP treats these trains very nicely. Not so AMTK Fed-only supported trains.

[Anonymous]

Amtrak, as we all know, is in big time trouble. The company is fighting finacial problems, and that could be a very large factor in U.P. delaying Amtrak's services. I don't blame U.P. They have many more obligations to fulfill than just Amtrak(besides, these other obligations at least have money) Example-U.P.S. / but back to the subject, i just recently rode a train up to Chicago on the U.P. The train was right on time, and in fact, we were early in our arrival to Union Station. Maybe i should ride the train more often and see what all of you are talking about.

[Anonymous]

Amtrak, as we all know, is in big time trouble. The company is fighting finacial problems, and that could be a very large factor in U.P. delaying Amtrak's services. I don't blame U.P. They have many more obligations to fulfill than just Amtrak(besides, these other obligations at least have money) Example-U.P.S. / but back to the subject, i just recently rode a train up to Chicago on the U.P. The train was right on time, and in fact, we were early in our arrival to Union Station. Maybe i should ride the train more often and see what all of you are talking about.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by os Ottawa

I recently made a round trip to Texas from Chicago on the Eagle. I understand the Desoto Sub is no longer the UP's main southbound route from St Louis so the track has numerous slow orders. Since this portion of the trip is in the dead of night I was unable to determine our speed. We were well over an hour late into Little Rock but thanks to a padded schedule we arrived on time into Ft Worth. The return trip was made on a "Sunset day" so train 22 was 4 hours late departing Ft Worth. I was told this is a normal occurance on the days the train connects with number 2. We remained 4 hours off schedule all the way to Chicago. This time the trip over the Desoto Sub was in daylight and we crawled along in some spots. We were delayed before arrival in St Louis due to freight cross traffic. I was told by an Amtrak employee in Chicago that Amtrak and the UP had recently reached some sort of agreement where the UP would cooperate a bit more with Amtrak.
While in Ft Worth I visited the BNSF control center and one of the huge screens in front of all of the dispatchers monitered Amtrak on time percentages and incentives.

I believe it is common for the northbound Eagle to be more late than the southbound Eagle for the exact reason you memtioned. From Chicago and south Amtrak doesn't have to wait for another passenger train arrival. At least they didn't, I don't know if the Missouri Mule comes into play here or not. (Maybe someone can tell us.) When having to wait on the Sunset Limited the Eagle becomes late. I watch the Amtrak web site occasionally and check to see if the Little Rock trains are running on time or not. I have seen them make up some of the time lost but I bet it is very hard to make it all up. (Again, maybe someone can add to this.) I sincerely hope that UP is really going to be more friendly toward Amtrak. If they are then it makes me wonder what UP wants in return.

Ottawa, please sir, can you add to your last statement about the control center and the on time percentages and incentives. This is interesting and could be very important. Please elaborate on it as much as you can. Thank you for doing so.[:)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by os Ottawa

I recently made a round trip to Texas from Chicago on the Eagle. I understand the Desoto Sub is no longer the UP's main southbound route from St Louis so the track has numerous slow orders. Since this portion of the trip is in the dead of night I was unable to determine our speed. We were well over an hour late into Little Rock but thanks to a padded schedule we arrived on time into Ft Worth. The return trip was made on a "Sunset day" so train 22 was 4 hours late departing Ft Worth. I was told this is a normal occurance on the days the train connects with number 2. We remained 4 hours off schedule all the way to Chicago. This time the trip over the Desoto Sub was in daylight and we crawled along in some spots. We were delayed before arrival in St Louis due to freight cross traffic. I was told by an Amtrak employee in Chicago that Amtrak and the UP had recently reached some sort of agreement where the UP would cooperate a bit more with Amtrak.
While in Ft Worth I visited the BNSF control center and one of the huge screens in front of all of the dispatchers monitered Amtrak on time percentages and incentives.

I believe it is common for the northbound Eagle to be more late than the southbound Eagle for the exact reason you memtioned. From Chicago and south Amtrak doesn't have to wait for another passenger train arrival. At least they didn't, I don't know if the Missouri Mule comes into play here or not. (Maybe someone can tell us.) When having to wait on the Sunset Limited the Eagle becomes late. I watch the Amtrak web site occasionally and check to see if the Little Rock trains are running on time or not. I have seen them make up some of the time lost but I bet it is very hard to make it all up. (Again, maybe someone can add to this.) I sincerely hope that UP is really going to be more friendly toward Amtrak. If they are then it makes me wonder what UP wants in return.

Ottawa, please sir, can you add to your last statement about the control center and the on time percentages and incentives. This is interesting and could be very important. Please elaborate on it as much as you can. Thank you for doing so.[:)]

[os Ottawa]

I recently made a round trip to Texas from Chicago on the Eagle. I understand the Desoto Sub is no longer the UP's main southbound route from St Louis so the track has numerous slow orders. Since this portion of the trip is in the dead of night I was unable to determine our speed. We were well over an hour late into Little Rock but thanks to a padded schedule we arrived on time into Ft Worth. The return trip was made on a "Sunset day" so train 22 was 4 hours late departing Ft Worth. I was told this is a normal occurance on the days the train connects with number 2. We remained 4 hours off schedule all the way to Chicago. This time the trip over the Desoto Sub was in daylight and we crawled along in some spots. We were delayed before arrival in St Louis due to freight cross traffic. I was told by an Amtrak employee in Chicago that Amtrak and the UP had recently reached some sort of agreement where the UP would cooperate a bit more with Amtrak.
While in Ft Worth I visited the BNSF control center and one of the huge screens in front of all of the dispatchers monitered Amtrak on time percentages and incentives.

[os Ottawa]

I recently made a round trip to Texas from Chicago on the Eagle. I understand the Desoto Sub is no longer the UP's main southbound route from St Louis so the track has numerous slow orders. Since this portion of the trip is in the dead of night I was unable to determine our speed. We were well over an hour late into Little Rock but thanks to a padded schedule we arrived on time into Ft Worth. The return trip was made on a "Sunset day" so train 22 was 4 hours late departing Ft Worth. I was told this is a normal occurance on the days the train connects with number 2. We remained 4 hours off schedule all the way to Chicago. This time the trip over the Desoto Sub was in daylight and we crawled along in some spots. We were delayed before arrival in St Louis due to freight cross traffic. I was told by an Amtrak employee in Chicago that Amtrak and the UP had recently reached some sort of agreement where the UP would cooperate a bit more with Amtrak.
While in Ft Worth I visited the BNSF control center and one of the huge screens in front of all of the dispatchers monitered Amtrak on time percentages and incentives.

[Modelcar]

....I'm afraid the class 1's can't and won't handle the process of running a fleet of passenger trains now with the economic climate we live in. They for sure are not a money making venture...and if it effects the bottom line as such, it won't happen. Of course that's why Amtrak is here now....The class 1's couldn't afford to run a suitable fleet anymore without excess losses. So if we want passenger trains we must somehow work out a better system and a method of paying for them then we have now.

[Modelcar]

....I'm afraid the class 1's can't and won't handle the process of running a fleet of passenger trains now with the economic climate we live in. They for sure are not a money making venture...and if it effects the bottom line as such, it won't happen. Of course that's why Amtrak is here now....The class 1's couldn't afford to run a suitable fleet anymore without excess losses. So if we want passenger trains we must somehow work out a better system and a method of paying for them then we have now.

[Anonymous]

Well let's see . there was a time in america we loved our passenger trains so beautiful so sleek and shiney.. boy you could not tell us nothing about our trains. now skip to todays trains. well now uncle sam's in the picture. think about it look how our trains are they have ditch lights that flash when aproaching agrade crossing. they have limited time for employees to be on trains. and nobody seems to want amtrak anymore but uncle sam keeps telling us that we do but does'nt really want to give the money or support it really needs and with amtrak it's people seem like their not intrested anymore. i my self believe that we in this country should take pride in amtrak make her our passenger train of the decade. we can use the gov' t but let amtrak do the things she use too do. put real food back onthe trains. with people cooking . with specials that will attract people. make special events. and to big class 1's . try making it with passenger trains . as far as respect and courtesy towords one another.. this my friends will work...

[Anonymous]

Well let's see . there was a time in america we loved our passenger trains so beautiful so sleek and shiney.. boy you could not tell us nothing about our trains. now skip to todays trains. well now uncle sam's in the picture. think about it look how our trains are they have ditch lights that flash when aproaching agrade crossing. they have limited time for employees to be on trains. and nobody seems to want amtrak anymore but uncle sam keeps telling us that we do but does'nt really want to give the money or support it really needs and with amtrak it's people seem like their not intrested anymore. i my self believe that we in this country should take pride in amtrak make her our passenger train of the decade. we can use the gov' t but let amtrak do the things she use too do. put real food back onthe trains. with people cooking . with specials that will attract people. make special events. and to big class 1's . try making it with passenger trains . as far as respect and courtesy towords one another.. this my friends will work...

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Tom Stuart

I have a trip scheduled 9-12 from LRK to AUS. It would fit my schedule better if train 21 was a couple of hours late. Train 22 could be 5 hours late. The arrival times here in Little Rock are atrocious! Arriving in San Antonio, TX at midnight, is that any way to run a passenger train?

Hello Tom, I live in NLR and agree "our" time slot isn't the best in the world. Anytime I or any of my friends have travel from or to Little Rock the train is usually late. A few times the northbound Amtrak and the southbound Amtrak have passed each other near Little Rock, which should not happen.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Tom Stuart

I have a trip scheduled 9-12 from LRK to AUS. It would fit my schedule better if train 21 was a couple of hours late. Train 22 could be 5 hours late. The arrival times here in Little Rock are atrocious! Arriving in San Antonio, TX at midnight, is that any way to run a passenger train?

Hello Tom, I live in NLR and agree "our" time slot isn't the best in the world. Anytime I or any of my friends have travel from or to Little Rock the train is usually late. A few times the northbound Amtrak and the southbound Amtrak have passed each other near Little Rock, which should not happen.

[Anonymous]

back in the old days before amtrak appeared. many railroads that had there own passenger service. naming santa fe pennsy. new york central and othere railroads thsat had passenger service ..passenger service had priority over freight as these were first class train, whe ever a passenger train was due , and there was a freight train ahead .the dispatcher would notify teh freight crew we are putting a siding or back over onto the other main and wait until the first class trai cleared .that how it wass in the old days because all passenger trains wrew running an timetable speed

[Anonymous]

back in the old days before amtrak appeared. many railroads that had there own passenger service. naming santa fe pennsy. new york central and othere railroads thsat had passenger service ..passenger service had priority over freight as these were first class train, whe ever a passenger train was due , and there was a freight train ahead .the dispatcher would notify teh freight crew we are putting a siding or back over onto the other main and wait until the first class trai cleared .that how it wass in the old days because all passenger trains wrew running an timetable speed

[Anonymous]

I have a trip scheduled 9-12 from LRK to AUS. It would fit my schedule better if train 21 was a couple of hours late. Train 22 could be 5 hours late. The arrival times here in Little Rock are atrocious! Arriving in San Antonio, TX at midnight, is that any way to run a passenger train?

[Anonymous]

I have a trip scheduled 9-12 from LRK to AUS. It would fit my schedule better if train 21 was a couple of hours late. Train 22 could be 5 hours late. The arrival times here in Little Rock are atrocious! Arriving in San Antonio, TX at midnight, is that any way to run a passenger train?

[jchnhtfd]

May I (humbly?) point out that it is possible to run a freight railroad to a schedule, on time, all the time, or very close to it? And at passenger train speeds? If you don't believe me, or can't find a US example, kindly look at the way Canadian National operates.

The problem is a bit more universal than UP, although perhaps UP is the worst offender. All railroads are going to have to learn to run all of their business to a schedule, and run the trains fast. It can be done -- CN has shown the way -- and it must be done, as otherwise the freight business will evaporate, too. If they can learn to do it right, then this particular problem -- Amtrak's on time performance -- will evaporate.

Incidentally, Amtrak's on time perfomance isn't all that bad -- have any of you checked the airlines' on time performance stats lately?

Good luck...