Trains.com

Amtrak winter experiences

15190 views
109 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Sunday, February 12, 2017 5:09 PM

CAL Z #6 originating out of SLC today has unconfirmed report to have 19 cars and unknown # of locos.

Amtrak Stockton <> Sacremento reported out of service for UP and BNSF trains ?.  UP reported detouring Stockton <> Sacremento freights over Altamont pass.  ACE reported to have cancelled Monday and Tuesday trains ?

http://www.acerail.com/

Capitol corridor thruway buses east of SAC reported not operating ?

California is taking it in the chin

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Sunday, February 12, 2017 9:43 PM

Referring to the general discussion of the Oroville dam spillways that  may fail there is already Capitol corridor notices of delays.  Someone who knows the area will have to fill us in to possibility that the whole area of Sacremento might be flooded ?  If so can we expect UP and Capitol corridor to evacuate all equipment to at least Oakland ?

 
 

Capitol Corridor <capitolcorridor@public.govdelivery.com> Delays anticipated Mon 2/13-Tue 2/14: Union Pacific will be rerouting freight trains as a result of weather-related track shutdown. While our trains will still operate, we do anticipate delays to Capi

  
Today at 5:50 PM
  • Member since
    May 2013
  • 3,231 posts
Posted by NorthWest on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 2:55 PM

Sunday's 11 was turned at Redding and returned north as Monday's 14 with UP power towing the reversed consist. Monday's 11 had power facing both directions so this may not be the case today.

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, February 17, 2017 9:21 PM

Amtrak must feel that UP cannot catch a break this month------

Latest bulletin

Amtrak

Print
Close

Amtrak Service Disruption between Oxnard, CA and San Luis Obispo, CA

Train service temporarily suspended due to extreme weather conditions

Feb. 17, 2017
4:30 p.m. PT

Amtrak service has been temporarily disrupted for Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight trains between Oxnard and San Luis Obispo due to extreme weather conditions in the area. There is no alternate transportation at this time. Union Pacific Railroad, which owns the tracks, has suspended rail service due to multiple mudslides in the Santa Barbara area.

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

Passengers with travel plans can confirm their train's status, change their plans or review refund information using a range of tools – including Amtrak.com, smartphone apps or by calling 800-USA-RAIL. Service Alerts, Passenger Notices and other announcements are posted at Amtrak.com/alerts.

 

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, February 18, 2017 4:33 PM

Its official   --  service disruption on coast line.  Have no idea how Starlight passengers will be accomondated ?.

Amtrak

Print
Close

Amtrak Service Suspended between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo, CA

Train service temporarily suspended due to extreme weather conditions

Feb. 18, 2017
1:00 p.m. ET

Amtrak service has been suspended between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo due to extreme weather conditions in the area. There is no alternate transportation for Amtrak train service in the area at this time. Union Pacific Railroad, which owns the tracks, has suspended rail service due to multiple mudslides in the Santa Barbara area.

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

 

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Sunday, February 19, 2017 10:45 PM

Amtrak thru way buses taking hit again to Reno

 Capitol Corridor <capitolcorridor@public.govdelivery.com> Due to a winter storm in the Sierra, connecting bus passengers should expect delays to/from Truckee/Reno and South Lake Tahoe through Presidents' Day, February 20, and possibly into Tuesday, February
  
Today at 6:34 PM

 

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 7:03 PM

Amtrak #6 / 21 ( CAL Z ) now 20+ hours late at Winnemucca due to getting caught by snow at Colfax for 19 hours.  Since it will loose more time to SLC maybe Amtrak can let it run on 6/22 schedule and take those passengers as well?.   6/22 appears to have been cancelled at Emeryville.

EDIT   ----  Appears Amtrak is doing that as SLC - east open for reservations on the 23rd.

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, February 24, 2017 2:49 PM

Well 6/21  arrived CHI 5:12 early.   OOPS that is actually 19:48 late.  Due to holding for avalanche warning at Colfax 19:00+  ^/22 (:00+ ate today at Omaha.  

One note.  It is too bad Amtrak cannot fix its reservation system to show the 19:00 hours late and available for reservations.  Checked the trains and will not show availability for trains late if after scheduled departure time.  

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Sunday, March 5, 2017 2:17 PM
 
 

Once again winter weather is causing Thruway buses to be cancelled today to the Sierra.

 

Capitol Corridor <capitolcorridor@public.govdelivery.com> Due to winter weather conditions in the Sierra, connecting bus service has been cancelled on Sunday, March 5, between Auburn and Truckee/Reno, and between Placerville and South Lake Tahoe. Local servi

To
Today at 11:46 AM
  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, March 11, 2017 11:08 AM

UP dropped about 5 - 10 cars on CAL Z route between Winter Park and DEN.  Ski train cancelled and Cal Z #5 holding in Denver indefinitely.   #6 still heading east although 2 hours late now west of Grand Junction at helper.  Appears held 2 hours at Salt Lake City..

 

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 12:55 PM

Now Amtrak which had planned to operate reduced schedule NYP to BOS and Albany has cancelled all trains north of NYP after any that departed before 0900.   

 

Amtrak

Print
Close

Amtrak Service Update for Tuesday, March 14

Service suspended between New York City and Boston

March 14, 2017

9 a.m. ET

Amtrak will operate a modified schedule in the Northeast region on Tuesday, March 14, due to a winter storm. Passengers holding reservations are strongly encouraged to monitor conditions and make any necessary changes in advance of their scheduled departure using amtrak.com or our mobiles apps to check their train status.

Due to changing winter storm conditions, the Northeast Regional service between New York City and Boston and Empire Service between New York City and Albany, N.Y., are suspended until further notice. Trains that depart each city before 9:00 a.m. will complete their trips. Acela Express service between New York City and Boston has already been canceled.

In addition, the Acela Express and Northeast Regional service that operate between New York City and Washington, D.C., will run on a modified schedule, with some trains truncated or cancelled, including some trains that operate in Virginia.

The Keystone Service, Shuttle, and Downeaster Service will also run on a modified schedule, with some trains truncated or cancelled.

Some long distance trains that normally travel to and from the Northeast Corridor will also be affected, with service suspended between Albany/Rensselaer and Boston, and between Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C.

 

This is only a guess but MNRR has cancelled all trains so Amtrak may have been told no access New Rochelle - New Haven or the Albany line?

Below is bulletin from MNRR.

 


Long Island Railroad: https://twitter.com/LIRR

METRO-NORTH RAILROAD
 

Winter Storm Update: Train Service Remains Suspended

Metro-North train service remains suspended due to the impact of the blizzard on the railroad’s territory and low ridership during the AM peak. 

 

This suspension is necessary to ensure the safety of Metro-North’s customers and employees, and to enable the railroad resume service once the worst of the blizzard passes.

 

Please continue to check here and to listen to local news for updates as to when Metro-North will be able to resume service. 

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 1:33 PM

Amtrak just taking a page from the airline playbook.  In case of doubt about the weather - don't operate!

People complaining about cancelled trains are easier to placate than those that are stuck on a trains in the middle of nowhere with catenary failure and no heat or lights.

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 Tuesday, March 14, 2017 7:04 PM

Amtrak operating modified schedule all routes in and out of NYP tomorrow  Wedensday Mar 15 th.

https://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Alert_C&pagename=am/AM_Alert_C/Alerts_Popup&cid=1251649301373

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • 3,231 posts
Posted by NorthWest on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 9:06 PM
  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 9:16 PM

The lady was very careful not to cross the yellow line while waiting for her train. Did she think that the yellow line would stop the snow?

 

Johnny

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 9:20 PM

Deggesty

The lady was very careful not to cross the yellow line while waiting for her train. Did she think that the yellow line would stop the snow?

 

 

Absolutely !Big Smile

 

April 1 bulletin: ??  To all Amtrak engineers.   ---   Please reduce to slow speed thru any station when snow on track has not been plowed by other trains.

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Thursday, March 16, 2017 6:46 AM

Let's not get too self-righteous about this.  The snow can really fly when a train is pushing it aside at even a moderate rate of speed.  Even if waiting passengers are standing several feet back from the edge of the platform, they can still get hit by flying snow, which is not very powdery this time of year.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, March 16, 2017 9:59 PM

Well the Builder will be cancelled in Idaho due to a landslide on the high line.  Suspect that if the rain does not stop there will be even more cancellations due to slides.  Just hope there is not a major one taking out a route for weeks such as the past Feather River slides.

 

http://domino.bnsf.com/website/updates.nsf/updates-service-industrial/DE8CF136A5518A24862580E50072015B?Open

 

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, March 20, 2017 10:39 PM

Well Amtrak may now have a new latest ever train.  As of 10:30 PM  CDT the Empire Builder 8/17 is showing 40:08 late out of St. Cloud. Maximum late of train has been 40:30. This because of the landslides in Idaho.  Probably arrive CHI about 0700 ?

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • 223 posts
Posted by MarknLisa on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 9:41 AM

[quote user="blue streak 1"]

Well Amtrak may now have a new latest ever train.  As of 10:30 PM  CDT the Empire Builder 8/17 is showing 40:08 late out of St. Cloud. Maximum late of train has been 40:30. This because of the landslides in Idaho.  Probably arrive CHI about 0700 ?

 

Good estimate. Shows arrived 06:55 at Chi-town.  It would be interesting to hear from someone on the train.  Were the passengers kept informed, fed & bathrooms serviced, or was it a trip from hell?

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