Sample Amtrak delay on Porter-21st St Chicago Line
Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2021 6:09 pm
This morning the engineer on BLUE WATER 365 called NS' Chicago Terminal DS at 10:46 am to advise he had an approach signal at CP 238 (CP 239 on the Amtrak Line is the holding signal for CP 482 (NS Chicago Line junction). At noon 365 was calling a restricting signal at CP 494 - 16 miles from the point where he had first advised CT of his imminent presence. 365 had departed New Buffalo, MI at 11:33 EST (9" LT) and arrived Chicago at 1:04 pm CST, 1'19" LT.
WOLVERINE 351 did not do much better. 10:11 am departing Kalamazoo (55" LT), 10:26 am by CP 482 and 12:04 pm into CHI (1'17" LT). 351 had only made it to CP 492 by 11:04 am.
All Amtrak Twitter alerts showed on these two debacles was:
Wolverine Train 351 will be delayed departing Pontiac (PNT) due to late inbound train equipment. We will update when more information is available.
Update: Wolverine Train 351 is now on the move currently operating approximately 30min late.
For those of you wanting to have a better idea of what really happened, I can share what I was able to hear from the Chesterton radio stream. Whereas I can't comment on 351's delay, I can relate that CT let CSX Grand Rapids-Chicago symbol freight Q327 onto the Chicago Line six minutes after 365's engineer initially called. 365 passed CP 482 (also the junction with CSX's Grand Rapids Sub.) at 11:03 am - eleven min. after the head-end of 327 reported a signal at 482. Both trains stopped briefly to obtain authority from Foreman D4300 to pass thru his work limits and were stopped again - either CP 487 or 492 to wait for opposing traffic. An eastbound NS (possibly 34G), Coal train 880 and Intermodal 294 all passed before 327 and 365 could move. Not sure why 365 lost an additional 25" CP 494-CHI; however following 327 to where he exited the Chicago Line could have been part of the problem.
Andy
WOLVERINE 351 did not do much better. 10:11 am departing Kalamazoo (55" LT), 10:26 am by CP 482 and 12:04 pm into CHI (1'17" LT). 351 had only made it to CP 492 by 11:04 am.
All Amtrak Twitter alerts showed on these two debacles was:
Wolverine Train 351 will be delayed departing Pontiac (PNT) due to late inbound train equipment. We will update when more information is available.
Update: Wolverine Train 351 is now on the move currently operating approximately 30min late.
For those of you wanting to have a better idea of what really happened, I can share what I was able to hear from the Chesterton radio stream. Whereas I can't comment on 351's delay, I can relate that CT let CSX Grand Rapids-Chicago symbol freight Q327 onto the Chicago Line six minutes after 365's engineer initially called. 365 passed CP 482 (also the junction with CSX's Grand Rapids Sub.) at 11:03 am - eleven min. after the head-end of 327 reported a signal at 482. Both trains stopped briefly to obtain authority from Foreman D4300 to pass thru his work limits and were stopped again - either CP 487 or 492 to wait for opposing traffic. An eastbound NS (possibly 34G), Coal train 880 and Intermodal 294 all passed before 327 and 365 could move. Not sure why 365 lost an additional 25" CP 494-CHI; however following 327 to where he exited the Chicago Line could have been part of the problem.
Andy
