RailRoadFan.com

TSS wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 18, 2024 1:52 pm

David Collins wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 18, 2024 1:41 pm

Buster Manning wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 18, 2024 1:35 pm

Yes Manistique, there are no morning departures out of PNT until the weather abates( you can go back to sleep after making your wife's lunch for her ----according to the email that was sent regarding which trains will run and which ones won't.....the $10,000 question is: when does Amtrak management think that will happen?? Supposedly the weather predictors are saying it is suppose to warm up above freezing next week....we'll see

Amtrak also blamed crew issues with some other Michigan service trains. Are crews out of position?

Pure speculation on my part, but how short of crews are they? Could there be so few crews that in bad weather, they have to cancel at least one train so that there are extra crews available in case a train that does run needs a replacement on hours of service?

That kind of thinking is far too proactive.

Buster Manning wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 18, 2024 1:35 pm

Yes Manistique, there are no morning departures out of PNT until the weather abates( you can go back to sleep after making your wife's lunch for her ----according to the email that was sent regarding which trains will run and which ones won't.....the $10,000 question is: when does Amtrak management think that will happen?? Supposedly the weather predictors are saying it is suppose to warm up above freezing next week....we'll see

Ha Ha. She's retired now too! But we still get up around that time. Go figure.

As to crew issues that has been mentioned, I imagine there isn't anyone riding the Wolverines any more. Too unpredictable. So if no riders then no need for trains or fighting winter. A self-fulfilling prophecy. And Amtrak gets federal funds regardless. So I think management is pretty smart, actually.

Funny. Temps need to be above freezing for Amtrak to even think about running a train? In Michigan? I’m all for the trains. I was a regular passenger for years. Knew the operating crews by name. But why are the taxpayers (MDOT) funding trains that aren’t even attempting to run?

Four more days of nearly wiping the Wolverine service off the map:

Trains 351, 352, 353 & 354 Friday, January 19, are canceled in their entirety. Alternate transportation will be provided.
Trains 351, 352, 353 & 354 Saturday, January 20, are canceled in their entirety. Alternate transportation will be provided.
Trains 351, 352, 353 & 354 Sunday, January 21, are canceled in their entirety. Alternate transportation will be provided.
Trains 351, 352, 353 & 354 Monday January 22, are canceled in their entirety. Alternate transportation will be provided.

At least they're keeping the Blue Water and Pere Marquette. Come to think of it, they never seem to ever cancel 364/365. Perhaps because those in Lansing would be more likely to notice?

Probably time to just make the Empire Builder a seasonal March thru November service. They end up cancelling most of the winter runs, anyway. Haven't run one since the 10th, and are cancelled now also through the 22nd.

Empire Builder cancelled…I’m surprised they’re not running their “baby builder” round trip at least to the twin cities and back….considering MN and WI are underwriting the new service theoretically starting sometime after the average temperature reaches 60 degrees.

Meanwhile, the Canadian continues to cross the continent a little further north….with delays, but at least they’re running them!

GP30M4216 wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 20, 2024 8:32 am

Empire Builder cancelled…I’m surprised they’re not running their “baby builder” round trip at least to the twin cities and back….considering MN and WI are underwriting the new service theoretically starting sometime after the average temperature reaches 60 degrees.

Meanwhile, the Canadian continues to cross the continent a little further north….with delays, but at least they’re running them!

I have been wondering how VIA rail is doing with their new Chargers and Venture trainsets this winter. If they are having any problems with them like Amtrak seems to be. My guess is that they are doing fine in the even colder temperatures up there.

Amtrak 350 went past MP 22.5 on the Holly Subdivsion just a bit later than on time, around 2:15 pm, with a single Charger.

My oh my, Amtrak 353 is running today. Winter must be over though there is an ice storm here right now. Passed MP 22.5 at 8:56 am, right on time.

Amtrak 350 out of Chicago: "As of 9:57 am CT, Train 350 is currently operating approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes late due to further delays due to mechanical issues." IYIYIYIYI.

And 352 out of Chicago has the red flag "Service Disruption, stay tuned."

Amtrak 350 just passed MP 22.5 on the Holly Sub at 2:58 pm, about an hour late today.

And get this from Amtrak's Train Status Report: As of 1:24 PM CT, due to equipment issues, Wolverine Train 355 has been canceled. Alternate transportation will be provided. For further assistance, please call/text 1-800-USA-RAIL.

355 just went past MP 22.5 on the Holly Sub. so it isn't canceled. The Amtrak Train Status must be screwed up as it still shows it canceled as earlier. Poor Amtrak. At least trains are running now.

Oh, it's cancelled alright.....equipment move tonight......issues with the engine--imagine that--and management didn't wanna take a chance with people "being held hostage" on a broke down train again

Buster Manning wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 23, 2024 6:41 pm

Oh, it's cancelled alright.....equipment move tonight......issues with the engine--imagine that--and management didn't wanna take a chance with people "being held hostage" on a broke down train again

Equipment move to Chicago?

Amtrak 351 ran this morning, just passing MP 22.5 on time at 5:51 am, first 351 in a long time. Winter must be over. I thought I heard an Amtrak last night around 12:30 am go by, a half hour earlier than 354, when it was running, used to go buy. I am guessing it was an equipment move to stage trains out of Pontiac today.

And Amtrak 353 also is running today, leaving on time out of Pontiac. Phew.

Amtrak's Wolverines seem back on track today, at least those that have been out of Pontiac. 355 left Pontiac on time. Temperature outside: 37 degrees.

According to an individual on the board of the Michigan Association of Rail Passengers (MARP) when a scheduled train does not run, MDOT does not pay for it.

Yesterday, January 29, P42 174 was released from Beech Grove leading train 51 the Cardinal from Chicago, then was assigned to lead train 30 to DC. This is the first Genesis painted in the Phase VII red blue and deep blue scheme debuted on the ALC-42s. The red and dark blue nose with the white stripe sure stands out on the front of the train!

EB NS B25 is following 350 to Wayne.

13:20 - EB NS B25 by 35

16:00 - NS B25 departing WB from Wayne with over 120 cars. Foam is thicc for this heavy boi today.