Amtrak On-Time Performance (OTP) Delays Reroutes Annulled

AMTRAK LIES

LA Metrolink closed the throat into LAUPT for construction. The Northbound Starlight originated 2 1/2 hours late at Van Nuys.

The current Amtrak map says it’s just north of Paso Robles 17 minutes off the advertised. I went to Google maps. The rail time PR to Salinas is one hour 55 minutes.

Amtrak is FAIL LEVEL off the advertised.

According to Amtrak the train originated at Van Nuys 31 minutes late at 10:49 this morning. Just out of curiosity, what's the source for it departing 2 1/2 hours late (or at about 12:48, when it was at Santa Barbara per Amtrak)?

Train cancellations as of Jan 5th, per Amtrak alert:

For the safety of Amtrak customers and employees, due to forecasted winter weather, select trains will operate a modified schedule with no alternate transportation as follows:

Northeast:

Saturday, Jan. 6

Northeast Regional (operating between Boston and Newport News, Va.):
• Train 151 will operate from New York to Washington, D.C.
• Train 66 will operate from Washington, D.C., to Boston
• Train 168 will operate from Washington, D.C., to New York

Keystone Service (operating between New York and Harrisburg, Pa.):
• Trains 670, 672, 674 will operate from Philadelphia to New York City
• Trains 667, 669, 671 will operate from New York to Philadelphia

Sunday, Jan. 7

Northeast Regional (operating between Boston and Newport News, Va.):
• Train 195 will operate from New York to Richmond, Va.

Acela Service (operating between Boston and Washington, D.C.):
• Train 2271 will operate from New York to Washington, D.C.
• Train 2290 is cancelled


Midwest – West Coast:

Sunday, Jan 7 - Tuesday, Jan. 9

Empire Builder Service (operating between Chicago and Portland/Seattle):
• Trains 7/27 (Jan. 7) cancelled
• Trains 8/28 (Jan. 9) cancelled

Missouri River Runner (operating between St. Louis and Kansas City)
• Train 316 (Jan. 8) cancelled
• Train 319 (Jan. 8) operating between Chicago and St Louis
• Train 311 (Jan. 9) cancelled
• Train 318 (Jan. 9) operating between St. Louis and Chicago

Hiawatha Service (operating between Milwaukee and Chicago)
• Trains 330, 331, 334, 335, 338, 339 (Jan. 9) cancelled

Lincoln Service (operating between Chicago and Kansas City)
• Trains 300 & 305 (Jan. 9) cancelled

Wolverine Service (operating between Chicago and Pontiac, Mich.)
• Trains 352 & 353 (Jan. 9) cancelled

Illinois Zephyr (operating between Chicago and Quincy, Ill.)
• Trains 380 & 381 (Jan. 9) cancelled

Whatever happened to the New Haven's "Center To Center All Weather Service"

Or the DL&W "Your Trip Is Weatherproof"

Whatever happened to the "esprit" that was shown on the New Haven when after Cat 3 Carol came a callin' at Stonington Harbor August 31, 1954, the New Haven MofW crews worked through the night and had the line open for a Westward passenger train by Noon Sep 1.

So my unit (a detachment assembled from units all over the country) had orders to report to Ft Dix on December 25, 2010. As it was, those of us in the DC area caught an Amtrak Regional service to Trenton with expectations that a base shuttle would pick us up in Trenton. The train was on time, 2 feet of snow had fallen (approximately) during our journey, and after we boarded, but before we arrived in Trenton, the base closed and cancelled the shuttle. So we were 8 soldiers stuck in the Trenton station with no ability to communicate with the base, with all public transit (except for the rail) shut down. As it was, a Good Samaritan with an SUV shuttled us and our gear to a Marriott a few blocks from the station where we stayed until the base was willing to allow shuttles out again.

It does seem to me that most regional services, train frequency has decreased, but routes remain in service, and one turn of one long distance train was cancelled.

Point being, for the regional services, there is little point in running trains if connecting services are all shutting down, and for the longer distance services, trains have gotten stuck in storms before and railroads haven't been able to keep the lines clear away from busy routes.

This add appeared in the NYT MANY years ago, hope it is readable, applicable to weather and RRs but may better fit in LIRR forum, in any case, I am sure many will find it enjoyable to read

Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Sun Jan 07, 2024 7:09 am Whatever happened to the New Haven's "Center To Center All Weather Service"

Or the DL&W "Your Trip Is Weatherproof"

Whatever happened to the "esprit" that was shown on the New Haven when after Cat 3 Carol came a callin' at Stonington Harbor August 31, 1954, the New Haven MofW crews worked through the night and had the line open for a Westward passenger train by Noon Sep 1.

That kind of dedication went the way of the dial telephone.

Once, a century ago, rail was THE mode to get people across the US. When each railroad ran 8 or so passenger trains each way each day, it mattered to keep the lines open.

These days, passenger rail service is known by a vitamin brand: One A Day. I have no idea what the various contracts say, but I will bet they don’t provide funding for snow removal.

John_Perkowski wrote: ↑Mon Jan 08, 2024 5:08 pm Once, a century ago, rail was THE mode to get people across the US. When each railroad ran 8 or so passenger trains each way each day, it mattered to keep the lines open.

These days, passenger rail service is known by a vitamin brand: One A Day. I have no idea what the various contracts say, but I will bet they don’t provide funding for snow removal.

100 years ago it took Lt. Dwight David Eisenhower 62 days to drive an Army convoy across the USA from the east coast to the west coast along the Lincoln Highway with Ford Model T trucks and cars. 100 years ago, with steam locomotives passenger trains could cross the country between the same two cities in less than a week.
Passenger trains in the USA no longer have a 10 times speed advantage over cars.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcont ... tor_Convoy

From https://www.amtrak.com/alert/forecasted ... ridor.html
Impending Storm on the Northeast Corridor
January 09, 2024 12:35 PM

For the safety of Amtrak customers and employees, due to the forecasted storm on the Northeast Corridor, the following services have been adjusted:

January 9, 2024

Acela:

2122 is canceled in its entirety.
2124 is canceled in its entirety.
2172 is canceled between New York and Boston.
2173 is canceled between New York and Washington.
Northeast Regional:

136 is canceled in its entirety.
179 is canceled in its entirety.
186 is canceled in its entirety.
67 is canceled in its entirety.
178 is canceled between New York and Boston.
177 is canceled between New York and Washington.
66 is canceled between Washington and Boston.
125 is canceled between Richmond and Newport News.
85 is canceled between Washington and Richmond.
Keystone:

618 is canceled in its entirety.
622 is canceled in its entirety.
653 is canceled between Philadelphia and Harrisburg.
657 is canceled between Philadelphia and Harrisburg.


January 10, 2024

Acela:

2190 is canceled in its entirety.
2159 is canceled in its entirety.
2151 is canceled between Boston and New York.
Northeast Regional:

151 is canceled in its entirety.
141 is canceled between Springfield and New York.
86 is canceled between Richmond and Washington.
174 is canceled between Newport News and Richmond.
66 is canceled between Roanoke and Washington.
Keystones:

601 is canceled in its entirety.
607 is canceled in its entirety.
622 is canceled in its entirety.
645 is canceled between Philadelphia and Harrisburg.
647 is canceled between Philadelphia and Harrisburg.
657 is canceled between Philadelphia and Harrisburg.
640 is canceled between Harrisburg and Philadelphia.
600 is canceled between Harrisburg and Philadelphia.
650 is canceled between Harrisburg and Philadelphia.
656 is canceled between Harrisburg and Philadelphia.
Downeaster:

680 is canceled in its entirety.
681 is canceled in its entirety.
Please stay tuned for updates via Amtrak's mobile app, text, email, or by checking Amtrak.com for train status. Your understanding and cooperation are greatly appreciated as we navigate these weather challenges together.

Here is what you can do to stay informed:
• Self-modify your reservation via the Amtrak app or Amtrak.com (or call 800-USA-RAIL) if your trip has been impacted and change and cancelation fees will be waived.
• Visit Amtrak.com or download the Amtrak app for the latest information on train status
• Subscribe to delay alerts for any train via email or text message at Amtrak.com/DelayAlerts
• Follow @AmtrakNECAlerts and @AmtrakAlerts on X for real-time service information on Amtrak trains in the NEC and across the country

Amtrak regrets any inconvenience. This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant

Hey Amtrak,

If passengers, especially business travellers on the Northeast Corridor, cannot rely on you for transportation, they will walk away from you in favor of another mode.

Got it?

John_Perkowski wrote: ↑Tue Jan 09, 2024 10:12 pm Hey Amtrak,

If passengers, especially business travellers on the Northeast Corridor, cannot rely on you for transportation, they will walk away from you in favor of another mode.

Got it?

When will ANYBODY UNDERSTAND, THEY DON'T CARE. The numbers Amtrak management will show you would prove your theory wrong. Surprised we ran a full schedule this past Sunday in the snow thought for sure they would have cancelled something. I remember trains in all weather collecting bus rail and airline tickets. Those days are gone, management does not want a train[s] getting stuck somewhere with 300 cellphones taking pictures and sending texts about how the crew this and being held captive that.

From a QUICK look at FLIGHTAWARE.COM:
Yesterday KEWR to KDCA one flight (the 8PM) of ten cancelled; KLGA to KDCA two flights of 14 cancelled.
Today as of 1015AM: KEWR to KDCA all flights operated, no cancellations for the rest of the day.
KLGA to KDCA one of 6 flights cancelled this morning, no cancellations for the rest of the day.

RAIL is no longer the “all weather” way to go!!!!!!!

Railjunkie wrote: ↑Wed Jan 10, 2024 9:05 am .....management does not want a train[s] getting stuck somewhere with 300 cellphones taking pictures and sending texts about how the crew this and being held captive that.

It appears enough passengers on AS 1282 had cellphones and any provisions regarding use in flight be damned.

People seemed inclined to use them nowadays virtually whenever they.please.

GBN (who will be flying on a MAX in about two weeks)

Folks, you're equating the two storms when you can't. The one that hit the east coast Saturday into Sunday (6th to 7th) was your run-of-the-mill steady average rain/snow storm that didn't have all that much wind pushing through it.

The one that hit yesterday to today (the 9th-10th) had nearly 50 MPH winds that brought down power lines. Amtrak rightfully started canceling services and slowing trains when things got hairy on the NEC. I would not be surprised if SEPTA and MARC canceled trains and had speed limits. I include the next day because equipment would be out of position and there'll be a ton of dead-head moves.

Did Amtrak cancel trains when a derecho hit the Philly area in 2019 and knocked down ALL the caternary along a section the Keystone line? OH HELL THEY DID! That was 80 MPH winds and tornado warnings in that area. The only train they got running was the Pennsylvanian the next day, and I was on that train!

Did the airlines delay or cancel trips? I wouldn't be surprised. Per this SkyScanner article:

In fact, take-off and landing are the only times during a flight when high winds can result in flight delays—almost every flight deals with high winds at some point during its climb or descent. With this in mind, horizontal winds (also known as “crosswinds”) in excess of 30-35 kts (about 34-40 mph) are generally prohibitive of take-off and landing.

So no, your argument about all weather running is invalid. There are specific conditions that you don't want to be caught out in with certain equipment and guess what, we hit them. To argue otherwise is to say "why yes I want to be electrocuted as I panic and exit a train with several kilovolts of power running through the otherwise grounded shell of the car."