The big ax just fell. Long distance to 3x/week.

Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Mon Oct 19, 2020 12:59 pm Connections at CHI to 3,5,7, 21 and 59 are what controls the frequency of 29 and 49.

How many riders actually continue on, do you suppose?

Mr. Ohio River, be it assured Amtrak knows the exact numbers, but "they ain't a telling" - and I'm not sure if they could be compelled under FOIA.

ohioriverrailway wrote: ↑Tue Oct 20, 2020 6:56 am How many riders actually continue on, do you suppose?

What percentage of Amtrak customers make transfers in Chicago is immaterial, because no matter how low it is those are customers Amtrak can not afford to toss away.

I always plan on spending a night in Chicago when making a transfer, but now that might be two or even three nights. Most Amtrak customers do not, and now with reduced services even more will not.

electricron wrote: ↑Tue Oct 20, 2020 11:52 amI always plan on spending a night in Chicago when making a transfer, but now that might be two or even three nights. Most Amtrak customers do not, and now with reduced services even more will not.

The City of Chicago has quarantine requirements covering people arriving from more than half the US. The city will let people pass through but do not want people spending the night unless they are in quarantine. While probably not intentional, Amtrak's scheduling allows travelers to obey the local law, to the extent possible.

(The current restriction covers 25 states plus PR ... on Friday five more states will be added.)

GBN,# 3 is selling out sleeper space on a regular basis under the covid rules, but the yard won't tack on an extra sleeper

Backshophoss wrote: ↑Wed Oct 21, 2020 12:43 am GBN,# 3 is selling out sleeper space on a regular basis under the covid rules, but the yard won't tack on an extra sleeper

What's the cost of another sleeper? What, tack it on and locate a porter for the trip?

I watched the Senate hearing today. Flynn emphasized repeatedly that this is not an effort to permanently keep service at 3x weekly and stated that the board also asked him to emphasize the same as well as a commitment to the future of the long distance network. He essentially stated plainly they need the money (the just under 5 billion number) and will return daily service and recall furloughed workers if Amtrak receives the requested amount. If level funding continues beyond the CR period there will be deep cuts to state supported service (possibly 65% of current levels) that would involve another more than 2000 furloughs. Several states have put Amtrak on notice that if there is no further relief then they will need to make major corridor cuts.

In case you missed it and are interested beyond Mr. Lord's immediate report:

https://www.c-span.org/video/?477064-1/ ... e-pandemic

Otherwise. observed #5 (21) today; "two of a kind"; two P-42, two Sleepers. Diner. Lounge, (two Food Service), two Coaches.

If you watch the hearing Mr. Flynn also addressed past efforts to go tri-weekly and how in normal times it wouldn't work and acknowledged that in 1994 the cuts were not successful because the loss of revenue exceeded any reduction in costs. He stated the difference now from 1994 is that those were normal times with normal ridership - with the loss of ridership due to COVID the trains' ticket revenues are not even covering the simple above the rail direct costs (fuel, engineer/conductor crew, etc.) and as a result a reduction to 3x weekly will reduce costs in this instance as it will reduce these direct costs. He also mentioned when asked about concerns of passengers returning when they go back to daily service if they have switched to other transit modes that out of 9,000 reservations inconvenienced by the reduction they retained 6,000 of them by changing the travel dates and they seem to believe people will return when daily service returns. We'll see if they are right.

He also mentioned that all the host railroads were informed they should consider these reductions in schedule temporary.

Observed:

5(24) 2 P-42 (Veterans leading) 2 Sleeper, Diner, Lounge, 2 Coach

4(22) 2 P-42, 2 Sleeper, Diner, Lounge, 4 Coach. 1 Surfliner.

Both "met" @ 18.32 ( within 1min)

3(24) Just heard it monents ago. Didn't want to loiter.

Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2020 3:16 pm Observed:

5(24) 2 P-42 (Veterans leading) 2 Sleeper, Diner, Lounge, 2 Coach

4(22) 2 P-42, 2 Sleeper, Diner, Lounge, 4 Coach. 1 Surfliner.

Both "met" @ 18.32 ( within 1min)

3(24) Just heard it monents ago. Didn't want to loiter.

After watching #3/4 at La Plata via Virtual Railfan it is normal in the winter to drop 1 coach. One may be to Kansas City only. Fair number of students from there take train to/from Chicago.

With the holidays approaching it may be 2 months too early to make these changes. Not having daily service disrupts travel maybe Friday then return Monday after a weekend back home. May be surprised how many Chicago area students attend a smaller college or university somewhere in the Midwest. So many need Amtrak to provide daily service.

GWoodle wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2020 9:07 pm With the holidays approaching it may be 2 months too early to make these changes. Not having daily service disrupts travel maybe Friday then return Monday after a weekend back home. May be surprised how many Chicago area students attend a smaller college or university somewhere in the Midwest. So many need Amtrak to provide daily service.

Have you checked the regional service? It is a long trip with a layover in St Louis, but Amtrak scheduling shows the availability of a Friday outbound Sunday return to Kansas City. I believe all of the Illinois routes kept one daily train, which would serve the weekend commuters you highlight.

lordsigma12345 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 22, 2020 8:54 am He also mentioned that all the host railroads were informed they should consider these reductions in schedule temporary.

In a normal time when words mattered, I might find that comforting. I just hope it's not a Lindsey Graham "hold the tape" promise that means nothing.

justalurker66 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2020 11:54 pm

GWoodle wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2020 9:07 pm With the holidays approaching it may be 2 months too early to make these changes. Not having daily service disrupts travel maybe Friday then return Monday after a weekend back home. May be surprised how many Chicago area students attend a smaller college or university somewhere in the Midwest. So many need Amtrak to provide daily service.

Have you checked the regional service? It is a long trip with a layover in St Louis, but Amtrak scheduling shows the availability of a Friday outbound Sunday return to Kansas City. I believe all of the Illinois routes kept one daily train, which would serve the weekend commuters you highlight.

The "regional" Kansas City-St Louis Chicago trains may work for some. The 1x day Illinois Zephyr may work to Galesburg & Quincy. Not sure if running Superliner coach in place of Amfleet/Horizon adds any seats ? Problem is La Plata is only served by #3/#4 Chief. There may be other holiday travelers on LD routes that can't get home except by car. In the long run shows the need for Amtrak to start new dayliner regional service for some of these LD routes.

I always thought another direct daytime Chicago - Kansas city train would work well. Is there a rail connection from Quincy across the river to the La Plata line ?