Yesterday's 14 hit a mud/landslide in the Cascades and damaged the engine enough that it had to be pulled off and replaced by a new SD70ACe-T4. We'll see if it goes back on 11.
More trouble for Northern CA Thruways SAC - Reno probably from these storms.
Due to inclement weather and icy road conditions impacting the Capitol Thruway Service, some of Amtrak thruway services have been canceled. Depending on road conditions, other thruway services may be delayed, modified, or rerouted due to hazards created by the weather. Amtrak passengers are advised to check Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for the latest update on your buses 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 buses 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.
Deggesty blue streak 1 VIA trouble again Tr #2/10 from Vancouver 14:48 late approaching Toronto. Cal Z #6/12 7:40 late at Lincoln. And, back in March, 2009, I worried about being too late in Toronto to make our connection for Montreal where we were changing to go on to Moncton on the same day (we were held up by a freight that had had trouble). We made both connections.
blue streak 1 VIA trouble again Tr #2/10 from Vancouver 14:48 late approaching Toronto. Cal Z #6/12 7:40 late at Lincoln. And, back in March, 2009, I worried about being too late in Toronto to make our connection for Montreal where we were changing to go on to Moncton on the same day (we were held up by a freight that had had trouble). We made both connections.
VIA trouble again Tr #2/10 from Vancouver 14:48 late approaching Toronto. Cal Z #6/12 7:40 late at Lincoln.
And, back in March, 2009, I worried about being too late in Toronto to make our connection for Montreal where we were changing to go on to Moncton on the same day (we were held up by a freight that had had trouble). We made both connections.
I enjoy your comments. They are free of political overtones or undertones and acrimony. Very refreshing!
Rio Grande Valley, CFI,CFII
blue streak 1 VIA trouble again Tr #2/10 from Vancouver 14:48 late approaching Toronto. Cal Z #6/12 7:40 late at Lincoln.
Johnny
blue streak 1Have visited PDX and SEA for many winters. Once in a while freezing rain in PDX but never was train service affected. Now for whatever reason trains cancelled between PDX and SEA. Will look for some media reports but here is Amtrak's service notice. Note Empire builder Spokane <> PDX cancelled as well.
12" snow. More and more extreme weather, which some climatologists have liked to climate change.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
Have visited PDX and SEA for many winters. Once in a while freezing rain in PDX but never was train service affected. Now for whatever reason trains cancelled between PDX and SEA. Will look for some media reports but here is Amtrak's service notice. Note Empire builder Spokane <> PDX cancelled as well.
January 11, 2017
1:30 p.m. PT
Amtrak Cascades and Amtrak Coast Starlight service between Seattle and Portland will remain suspended today due to severe weather and freight congestion on tracks operated by BNSF Railway Co, with no alternate transportation.
All Amtrak Cascades trains are canceled today between Seattle and Portland, with no alternate transportation. Amtrak Coast Starlight, train 11(11) is canceled between Seattle and Portland, with no alternate transportation. Amtrak Coast Starlight train 14(10) will terminate in Portland this evening to represent a late Amtrak Coast Starlight train 11(11), traveling to points south of Portland.
Amtrak Empire Builder train 27(11) is also canceled today between Portland and Spokane, WA due to weather related issues, with no alternate transportation.
Amtrak Cascades trains north of Seattle to Vancouver, B.C. and south of Portland to Eugene, Ore. continue to operate, subject to weather-related delays.
Now here is a TV report about Portland by SEA station.
http://komonews.com/news/local/chaos-in-portland-as-city-buried-under-a-foot-of-snow
Cal Z # 6/10 originated at Reno Donner still out of service Also reported Feather river canyon out of service.
No information yet but 6/11 shows service disruption.
Amtrak Empire builder leaving SEA yesterday go lucky. Left 1 hour late but before tide covered tracks. Sounder had delays but finally operated.
Sound Transit <soundtransit@public.govdelivery.com> All Sounder north line trains are holding from departure at King St. Station due to current high tides causing a large accumulation of water on the tracks. Sound Transit is working on getting buses to
Connecting bus service east of Auburn is cancelled on Wednesday, January 11, due to blizzard and whiteout conditions in the Sierra. If you have reservations and need to reschedule or request a refund for your trip, please call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL
BaltACDAnd 50+ years ago there was a small army of MofW personnel that were dispatched to interlockings to assist whatever kinds of 'switch heaters' (mostly kerosene 'smudge pots') by continually sweeping and keeping the switches in operation for the tower operator.
Progress? Or perhaps cost-cutting gone too far? In any case, the switch heaters here were not smudge pots, rather they were/are propane burners, in my recollection, or some other flammable gas that burns with a blue flame. Even in the only-18-years-ago Blizzard of '99 (21.6"), Metra got mostly through.
There are a variety of heaters available, electric, propane and blowers.
http://www.rtrtechnologies.com/products/switch-heating/index.html
http://www.rwy.com/products-rwy/track-switch-heater/
schlimm ACY "A single switch issue can easily generate hours of delay" Currently, Auto Train is running about 9 hours late northbound; about 10 or more hours late southbound account frozen switches in Richmond. The northbound train hasn't arrved in Richmond yet. Its delay was caused yesterday when that consist went south. Tom Not to be negative, but surely some sort of modern technology should be able to manage frozen switches sufficiently to reduce those costly (to freight and passenger) delays? I recall the throat of the C&NW Madison St. terminal 50+ years ago, with many switch heaters burning with a bright blue flame in winter weather. Worked well. Perhaps something even better could be developed?
ACY "A single switch issue can easily generate hours of delay" Currently, Auto Train is running about 9 hours late northbound; about 10 or more hours late southbound account frozen switches in Richmond. The northbound train hasn't arrved in Richmond yet. Its delay was caused yesterday when that consist went south. Tom
"A single switch issue can easily generate hours of delay"
Currently, Auto Train is running about 9 hours late northbound; about 10 or more hours late southbound account frozen switches in Richmond. The northbound train hasn't arrved in Richmond yet. Its delay was caused yesterday when that consist went south.
Tom
Not to be negative, but surely some sort of modern technology should be able to manage frozen switches sufficiently to reduce those costly (to freight and passenger) delays?
I recall the throat of the C&NW Madison St. terminal 50+ years ago, with many switch heaters burning with a bright blue flame in winter weather. Worked well. Perhaps something even better could be developed?
And 50+ years ago there was a small army of MofW personnel that were dispatched to interlockings to assist whatever kinds of 'switch heaters' (mostly kerosene 'smudge pots') by continually sweeping and keeping the switches in operation for the tower operator. Today there is no MofW army available.
When I hired out, the properties that are today's CSX employeed approximately 150K employees. When I retired employment was slightly less than 30K. Winter weather requires technology AND manpower. Class 1's don't have the excess manpower to do what was don 50 years ago.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
schlimm I recall the throat of the C&NW Madison St. terminal 50+ years ago, with many switch heaters burning with a bright blue flame in winter weather. Worked well. Perhaps something even better could be developed?
blue streak 1Once again both Canadians #1 & #2 7:00 + late nearing Vancouver, BC and Toronto. Think may have to revaluate VIA's ability to operate any better than Amtrak. Many VIA shourt haul trains running late as well.
All railroads US & Canadian rely on modern technology to keep switches and signals operable in inclement weather. Modern technology in these conditions is not 100% reliable. A single switch issue can easily generate hours of delay, either waiting for the switch to be made operable or having to follow train(s) the Dispatcher was trying to get the passenger train around.
Once again both Canadians #1 & #2 7:00 + late nearing Vancouver, BC and Toronto. Think may have to revaluate VIA's ability to operate any better than Amtrak. Many VIA shourt haul trains running late as well.
Not exactly a train problem but most Antrak thru way buses cancelled east of Sacremento due to road conditions.
Capitol Corridor <capitolcorridor@public.govdelivery.com> Severe winter weather is expected to move into Northern California early Saturday morning on January 7 and last through Wednesday, January 11, with up to two feet of snow expected at higher elevations
Severe winter weather is expected to move into Northern California early Saturday morning on January 7 and last through Wednesday, January 11, with up to two feet of snow expected at higher elevations on Saturday and into early Sunday before turning to rain. During this time, connecting bus service from Sacramento to Reno and South Lake Tahoe will likely experience delays and cancellations.
Additionally, other Capitol Corridor connecting bus routes may experience delays throughout the weekend and possibly longer due to the storms and potential flooding.
We encourage passengers planning to take connecting bus service, especially to and from the Sierra, to call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL beforehand to check on the status of their trip. (When you call, ignore the “Press 1 for Capitol Corridor Customer Service” prompt and stay on the line to speak to an Amtrak Customer Services representative.)
For current road conditions, visit Caltrans’ “QuickMap” or call the California Highway Information Network’s automated phone service at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623).
Winter woes continue but until the east coast cancellations every thing has operated although a few very lates.
VIA Canadian #1 -- 9:30 hours late east of Saskatoon.
VIA canadian #2 -- 6 late near Winnepeg
AMT #14 - 6 hours late north of Tacoma
Amtrak # 7/04 -- 11 hours late at Havre. Lost 10 hours at Minot
#8/04 -- 5:40 late at Minot
# 6/04 6:00 late at fort Morgan. Appears to have lost 4 hours over Donner pass but it made it wonder if the rotaries are out ?
#50/05 3:30 late approaching CIN
I note the Crescent, the Miami trains, and the Auto Train are not listed. So wonder why?
I note the Crescent, the Miami trains, and the Auto Train are not listed.
Amtrak appears to anticipate that CSX will have its normal bad weather foul ups from WASH south. Amtrak Cancelling most train south of WASH. Is it still that the ROW has many overhanging trees ?
https://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Alert_C&pagename=am/AM_Alert_C/Alerts_Popup&cid=1251646627012
Although not an Amtrak cancellation it does affect the Capitol corridor thru way service. Its winter!!
Capitol Corridor <capitolcorridor@public.govdelivery.com> Due to winter weather and road conditions, thruway bus service from Auburn (ARN) to Colfax (COL), Reno (RNO), Truckee (TRU) and Lake Tahoe areas has been canceled effective January 2, 2017 and expecte
Due to winter weather and road conditions, thruway bus service from Auburn (ARN) to Colfax (COL), Reno (RNO), Truckee (TRU) and Lake Tahoe areas has been canceled effective January 2, 2017 and expected to continue through January 4, 2017. Impacted buses include northbound 3524, 3528, 3634, 3538, 3640, 3642 and 3646, and southbound 3537, 3543 and 3549.
There are unconfirmedreports on other sites saying Amtrak is having more problems with Horizon cars. Report is that some of the cars have excess lateral movement causing speed restrictions on the STL corridor. If so lack of parts ?
Trains 6 (the Zephyr), 7 and 8 (the Builders), all in the northern plains, are running around 3 hours late this morning. Given the severity of the snow and wind storm over the weekend that's to be expected.
blue streak 1EDIT #11 hit tractor trailer at private crossing. http://koin.com/2016/12/20/amtrak-train-and-semi-collide-on-99e-no-injuries/
Photo shows what looks like UP #509 power on train. 4Hr 58min late @ San Jose.
Now Canadian that departed Toronto today already 7:00 + late. VIA is definitely having more problems than Amtrak this year.Empire builder # 8 which originated from Spokane 2 + late now 5:30 late at St. Cloud. Coast starlight #11 now down 5:00 + at Chico lost 4+ Portland > Salem.
EDIT #11 hit tractor trailer at private crossing.
http://koin.com/2016/12/20/amtrak-train-and-semi-collide-on-99e-no-injuries/
Canadian approaching Vancouver listed as 9+ hours late even with the scheduled 4 hour layover in Winnepeg. Some one in Canada tell us what has happened ?
Other than Empire #7 turning at Spokane everything has operated so far. Starlight #11 lost 5)) + south of Redding. LSL is being followed by Capitol at South Bend. Star lost 7+ hours Alexandra . Richmond due to flat wheel.
84 lost 3 hours Norfolk > Petersburg
Any train moving this time of year, late or not, is better than an airplane going nowhere.
Co-worker was riding to Chicago with his family a few years ago on one of the trains from St. Louis. They ran into frozen switches farther north, the younger crewmen did not know what to do, but an older one did and unthawed them as they moved slowly along. What is normally a 5-6 hour trip took about 12 hours, but they arrived safely and his kids loved the extra time on a train.
question. Since there will always be a need to turn whenever there is a very late #7 at SPK why cannot Amtrak run an on time stub train to Spokane from SEA ? That equipment could then stub #7 out of SPK. Unfortunately that cannot help for #27 ? Does Amtrak have any Superliner standby at SEA. Now if a spare Talgo set or spare Sounder set ????
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.