Unconfirmed report that a bridge on UP west of San Antionia burned and causing Sunset problems. Further report Amtrak unable to get buses due to Super Bowl taking all available ? UP certainly has had bridge problems in the past year or so.
More info on UP trestle fire.
http://www.ksat.com/news/trestle-fire-stops-trains-near-macdona
Bridge appears to be single track ? Not clear if UP was already planning to replace the bridge but if so wonder if it will be part of the two tracking of the Sunset route ?
BaltACDPre and Post Stagger's there is a different mind set as to what is required to run a railroad - Post Stagger's if an investment can't bring something to the bottom line 365 days a year the investment is rarely made.
Short-sighted. Although Chicago has been almost snowless b/c of climate change of late, a few years back we had some heavy snows, which Metra and the BNSF, UP and others managed to handle.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
schlimm BaltACD Short-sighted. Although Chicago has been almost snowless b/c of climate change of late, a few years back we had some heavy snows, which Metra and the BNSF, UP and others managed to handle.
BaltACD
Chicago routinely has snow most years - not having snow is an exception. The Carolinas routinely don't have snow - having heavy snow is an exception.
Basing Capital Investments on exceptions is not good use of capital.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Since Amtrak is always late or no alerts this alert from Sound Transit about rail transit in part will be posted here. This weather event may effect Amtrak Empire builder operation near Seattle.
Sound Transit <soundtransit@public.govdelivery.com> At the time of this Rider Alert, no Sound Transit service is currently affected by weather. Inclement weather advisories are stating that transit service may be affected by snow or ice starting late S
At the time of this Rider Alert, no Sound Transit service is currently affected by weather.
Inclement weather advisories are stating that transit service may be affected by snow or ice starting late Sunday or early Monday. It is not possible to determine what areas or service – if any – could be affected, as forecasts and predictions are constantly changing.
If Sound Transit service is significantly affected by snow or other weather-related events, the Rider Alerts page will be updated and Rider Alerts will be sent to affected subscribers.
When streets are snowy or icy, it is best to be aware of conditions in your immediate area, check media reports, check for transit reroutes, then wait for buses at posted bus stops on the flat portions of arterial streets that have been cleared or treated, or at major transfer points.
Be prepared for the weather, longer than usual waits and more crowded buses.
While Sound Transit utilizes all available resources to operate service as normally as possible during adverse conditions, the safety of everyone is the highest priority. Buses may be delayed or rerouted, and staff cannot predict affected areas or tell when a specific bus might get to a stop.
Avalanche on Marias Pass late yesterday. Empire Builders (7 and 8) currently stuck on either side.
http://asm.transitdocs.com/
Follow on to Bruce Kelly;s post. His link shows 7 & 8 both stopped. Also note on his link VIA #2 -- 9+ hours late.
February 6, 2017
6:15AM MST
Due to hazards created by the severe winter weather the Empire Builder is not able to operate at this time between Minot, ND and Spokane, WA. We are not able to provide alternate services at this time. Amtrak passengers are advised to check Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for the latest update on your train’s status.
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.
News link
http://www.kulr8.com/story/34434250/passenger-on-amtrak-stuck-in-montana-an-avalanche-broke-the-train-tracks#.WJigIFmyn0M.facebook
US 2 closed as well so no bus bridge as of now.
http://www.dailyinterlake.com/article/20170206/ARTICLE/170209910
BNSF is advising customers that they now project opening the line at 4PM Tues, the 7th. This is subject to fall down of course.
Mac
BNSF line probably not cleared before tomorrow afternoon. It will be interesting how Amtrak will handle the BNSF 48 hour no passengers on any train passing thru a mud slide or avalanche section ?.
Sounder trains cancelled due to bad weather. Wonder if this will also affect Starlight and Cascades trains ?
Sound Transit <soundtransit@public.govdelivery.com> Due to the previous extreme weather conditions four south Line Sounder trains are cancelled: Northbound: The #1522 (4:30pm Tacoma departure)The #1524 (5:00pm Tacoma departure) Southbound: The #1517 (4
Due to the previous extreme weather conditions four south Line Sounder trains are cancelled:
Northbound:
Southbound:
Riders should use regularly scheduled bus service or wait for the unaffected train departures. We will provide
What is bizzare is that #7 is reporting on time into St. Paul, MN at 6:20 AM on Tuesday. That train is scheduled to arrive in St. Paul at 10 PM. Also #8 is reporting on-time at St. Cloud, MN -- that matches the train's normal schedule. Sounds like things are really confused.
US - 2 still closed so no bus bridge possible. Wonder if Amtrak rerouting passengers Cal Z / Starlight ? Here is Montana hwy dept notice
WEST GLACIER TO PINNACLEROAD CLOSED AT ESSEX,
MILE 180SnowingSnowcoverRoad Closed
PINNACLE TO DEVIL CREEKROAD IMPASSABLE DUE TO DRIFTINGRoad Closed7 MILES WEST OF MARIAS PASS
OVER MARIAS PASSSnowingBlowing and DriftingSnow and IceRoad Closed
EAST SIDE OF MARIAS PASS TO EAST GLACIERSnowingSnow and IceRoad Closed
EAST GLACIER TO BROWNINGLIGHTLY SNOWINGSnowing ICE
schlimm BaltACD Pre and Post Stagger's there is a different mind set as to what is required to run a railroad - Post Stagger's if an investment can't bring something to the bottom line 365 days a year the investment is rarely made. Short-sighted. Although Chicago has been almost snowless b/c of climate change of late, a few years back we had some heavy snows, which Metra and the BNSF, UP and others managed to handle.
BaltACD Pre and Post Stagger's there is a different mind set as to what is required to run a railroad - Post Stagger's if an investment can't bring something to the bottom line 365 days a year the investment is rarely made.
I am not sure what you point is. Just about every interlocking in Chicago is equipped with switch heaters.
Lets look at it this way. You won't find a fleet of snow plows in cities in the south, just in case of a once a decade snow storm. You won't find tons of road salt in areas of the south, just in case. You won't find de-iceing pads at the Orlando airport like you do at Denver, just in case. And you won't find switch heaters in areas that don't get much snow, just in case.
An "expensive model collector"
It is not getting any better yet.
http://flatheadbeacon.com/2017/02/07/glacier-park-issues-permit-avalanche-mitigation-marias-pass/
http://www.flatheadavalanche.org/announcements/mon-02062017-2025/portions-glacier-national-park-closed-avalanche-mitigation-272017
Would expect rotary plows not a good idea for the possibility of many boulders and trees in the debri ?
n012944 schlimm BaltACD Pre and Post Stagger's there is a different mind set as to what is required to run a railroad - Post Stagger's if an investment can't bring something to the bottom line 365 days a year the investment is rarely made. Short-sighted. Although Chicago has been almost snowless b/c of climate change of late, a few years back we had some heavy snows, which Metra and the BNSF, UP and others managed to handle. I am not sure what you point is. Just about every interlocking in Chicago is equipped with switch heaters. Lets look at it this way. You won't find a fleet of snow plows in cities in the south, just in case of a once a decade snow storm. You won't find tons of road salt in areas of the south, just in case. You won't find de-iceing pads at the Orlando airport like you do at Denver, just in case. And you won't find switch heaters in areas that don't get much snow, just in case.
schlimm n012944 schlimm BaltACD Pre and Post Stagger's there is a different mind set as to what is required to run a railroad - Post Stagger's if an investment can't bring something to the bottom line 365 days a year the investment is rarely made. Short-sighted. Although Chicago has been almost snowless b/c of climate change of late, a few years back we had some heavy snows, which Metra and the BNSF, UP and others managed to handle. I am not sure what you point is. Just about every interlocking in Chicago is equipped with switch heaters. Lets look at it this way. You won't find a fleet of snow plows in cities in the south, just in case of a once a decade snow storm. You won't find tons of road salt in areas of the south, just in case. You won't find de-iceing pads at the Orlando airport like you do at Denver, just in case. And you won't find switch heaters in areas that don't get much snow, just in case. AFAIK, this thread was not entitled, "Amtrak's Winter Experience in the South."
AFAIK, the only place in the thread where there was a switch heater issue that you seem to take such issue with, was in Richmond, which IS in the south. Sorry, I thought we were talking about actual delays caused by the lack of switch heaters, and the reasons why there are none there. I didn't realize you were ranting just to rant. My apologies.
https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/01/where-does-the-south-begin/70052/
"Most Americans would agree that Richmond is a southern town"
Don't be such a Hoosier. Recent winters, seems like Richmond could use heaters more than Chicago.
schlimmDon't be such a Hoosier. Recent winters, seems like Richmond could use heaters more than Chicago.
but then there is the West Virginia slaw dog metric!
BNSF restored service between Summit and Essex MT at 23:45 PM Central time, 22:45 Local, Tuesday 2/7.
As of 2200 ( 10:00 PM ) Amtrak shows no cancellations or changes for expected snow. Some changes at MBTA ( not yet ), MTA ( subway trains stored on express tracks most trains local only ), NJ Transit ( still normal tomorrow ), SEPTA ( no info ), MARC ( no info )
Another avalanche reported on the west side of Marias Pass this morning.
http://www.flatheadavalanche.org/flathead-glacier/advisory#null
Posted statement reads:
"Today: BNSF Avalanche Safety Team reported natural avalanche activity in their program area. One large magnitude avalanche deposited 6-8 feet of debris that was 150 feet wide on the rail grade and it also reached the highway. The powder blast from the avalanche was evident 25 feet up a power pole."
Another posting, at Trainorders, describes different dimensions and mentions it's at MP 1163. That would put it near snowsheds 10 and 10.7.
Correction: BNSF says it's near MP 1162.
Amtrak 8, already 2 hours late, is shown just east of Libby. No.7 is shown approaching Wolf Point.
BaltACDbut then there is the West Virginia slaw dog metric!
I prefer my slaw dogs in inch measure, thank you. (But I for one would like to know if there is going to be one of those SI named measurement for frank length... perhaps a 'sonic' being defined as 30.5cm?)
RME BaltACD but then there is the West Virginia slaw dog metric! I prefer my slaw dogs in inch measure, thank you. (But I for one would like to know if there is going to be one of those SI named measurement for frank length... perhaps a 'sonic' being defined as 30.5cm?)
BaltACD but then there is the West Virginia slaw dog metric!
Sounds good, but....
Chicago-style hotdog: An all-beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun piled high with yellow mustard, chopped white onions, bright green sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices or wedges, pickled sport peppers and a dash of celery salt.
The most important thing: NO catsup!
Empire Builder has more trouble brewing
Mudslide north of Seattle. This will stop any passenger trains SEA <> Everette for 48 hours.
Sound Transit <soundtransit@public.govdelivery.com> North line Sounder service is canceled this evening, 2/09/17, due to a mudslide. Sound Transit will monitor the situation, if there are no additional events, service is expected to resume Monday morning
North line Sounder service is canceled this evening, 2/09/17, due to a mudslide. Sound Transit will monitor the situation, if there are no additional events, service is expected to resume Monday morning, 2/13/17. Regularly scheduled bus service will operate as normal and is listed below. Updates will be provided as they become available.
Tomorrow morning’s bus service for 2/10/17 will be provided this evening.
Amtrak's current plan to work around the latest Marias avalanche:
No details ye but evidently a problem between Tacoma and Portland with no Cascades service PDX <> Everette ?
https://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Alert_C&pagename=am/AM_Alert_C/Alerts_Popup&cid=1251647993244
Cannot find any link but reports are major wash outs on both UP routes Salt lake city - Reno. May be days before Cal Z can operate again between those points,
http://kutv.com/news/local/after-rain-and-warm-temperatures-flooding-slams-elko-county-nevada
Evidently somewhere near Wells, NV ?
https://www.wunderground.com/US/NV/039.html#FLO
Another mefia report nothing new
http://www.king5.com/news/local/landslides-disrupt-amtrak-service-in-western-washington/406680392
Train 66 tangled the CAT and delayed for 4 hours.
http://abc7ny.com/news/amtrak-train-stuck-for-4-hours-without-heat-or-power/1747723/
EDIT 1146 EST some info from WCBS
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2017/02/10/amtrak-bronx-stuck-train/
VIA Rail has 2 problems on the Canadian's route between Toronto and Vancouver. The most serious is that CN runs many long freights that exceed the length of many of the route's passing sidings. This means that the Canadian must take the sidings and at times, wait for more than one freight to pass. Sometimes the waiting can be more than an hour. The second problem is what happens when the temperature falls to -30C or colder and you encounter equipment and track problems.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.