Amtrak Storm Cancellations

[Super Chief]

WWMT 3 just announced Amtraks 350 & 355 are cancelled due to todays snowstorms and bitter cold. Must not want to hit a crossing snow pile at 110 mph and hope for the best, they've had 3 accidents involving Michigan trains this month.

[GP30M4216]

There are also multi-day limited cancellations from Chicago to St. Louis, Milwaukee, and Carbondale. Most likely they are trying to protect equipment from deep freezing away from terminals where things can't be warmed back up. Horizon cars with their exposed undercarriage piping are notorious for freezing solid.

In Michigan, just 350/355 are affected. Blue Water and Pere Marquette are expected to operate as normal.

[PatAzo]

Better to deal with delayed passengers sitting at a station than dealing with delayed passengers sitting on a train stuck along the country side.

[Saturnalia]

Trying to keep CUS fluid. Less equipment running is less stuff to break, so the folks at CUS can keep up and have enough equipment.

At least the deep freeze is temporary. It'll be 40+ in Chicago by the weekend and everything will thaw.

[Ypsi]

According to snow drifts I observed before and after 2 pm 350 ran. 350 and 355 both have statues tonight.

[9xs]

ITCS apparently turned off so the limit is now 79

[NSSD70ACe]

ITCS apparently turned off so the limit is now 79

Could also be speed restrictions. Saw a post from Metra indicating that speed restrictions would be in place when the temperature hits zero. Not sure if that factors in windchill or not.

[DaveO]

ITCS apparently turned off so the limit is now 79

Could also be speed restrictions. Saw a post from Metra indicating that speed restrictions would be in place when the temperature hits zero. Not sure if that factors in windchill or not.

Wind chill has no meaning with regards to inanimate objects.
Welded rail can pull apart in extreme cold which is likely the reason for temporary speed restrictions.

[Super Chief]

Well with Horizon cars known to freeze up, wind chill underneath the cars at 110mph must be a female dog to thaw out at end terminals. I thought the speed restrictions would come out in force with -40 degrees air wind chill and 35 mph westerly winds coming into play.

[PatAzo]

Last time I rode to Chicago in the winter they had one working door when they pulled into Union Station. The rest were frozen. The conductor was dumping rock salt on them thinking that would help.

[Manistique]

On Monday I saw 350 coming into Pontiac. It had two Genesis units leading back to back. I did see 355 leave Pontiac yesterday with the two units leading

Today the Amtrak Train Status site says 350 is cancelled. So 355 must also be as there will be no train set in Pontiac for it. We will see. No 350 so far and it was due into Pontiac by now.

[NSSD70ACe]

On Monday I saw 350 coming into Pontiac. It had two Genesis units leading back to back. I did see 355 leave Pontiac yesterday with the two units leading

Today the Amtrak Train Status site says 350 is cancelled. So 355 must also be as there will be no train set in Pontiac for it. We will see. No 350 so far and it was due into Pontiac by now.

350/355 turn is canceled through the 31st.

[Ypsi]

Official Amtrak release on the trains cancellations

https://m.amtrak.com/h5/r/www.amtrak.co ... eled1.html

Today this Michigan line will see only B25 and other locals.. this is possibly the first time in the modern era no passenger service has happened in a day.. possibly in decades (or in theory a century) on this line. I will have to do some research.

[coasterrider]

yeaaah I get a day off LOL