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

Both #11 and #14 have swapped in a coach/bag for the View II Bag for now

Observed:

#3(12) 2 P-42, 2 Slprs, Diner, Lounge. 5 Coaches, 1 Surfliner Coach

#6(10) 2 P-42, 2 Slpr, Diner, Lounge, 4 Coaches Consist "very dirty". 40ML

#4(10) reported 220ML; "wasn't about" to hang around for it.

I'm not surprised either 4 or 6 are dirty at the end of their runs...

And 4(10) demonstrates one of Amtrak's basic problems: Reliability. If I cannot count on it to get me to the meeting on time, then all it's good for is leisure travel.

Observed:

#3(19)

2 P-42, 2 Sleeper. Diner, Lounge, 2 Coach, Coach-Bagg.

The 2 P-42 were "back to back" rather than prevailing "elephant". There must be a reason; doubt aesthetics.

Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 4:16 pm Observed:

#3(19)

The 2 P-42 were "back to back" rather than prevailing "elephant". There must be a reason; doubt aesthetics.

No need to turn them at Los Angeles?

Auto Train was the only train on which the engines were back to back. Any others were "elephant" as this makes sense (lead engine hits something).

At Sanford, there is only a wye of sorts. Using it, done only during emergencies, ties up a lot of city streets, including US19. There is no wye at Lorton.

Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 12:14 pmThere is no wye at Lorton.

Lorton, Virginia Auto Train terminal has a turntable at the North end. Is that Amtrak's newest one?

JimBoylan wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 12:48 pm

Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 12:14 pmThere is no wye at Lorton.

Lorton, Virginia Auto Train terminal has a turntable at the North end. Is that Amtrak's newest one?

Turntable has been there since Amtrak opened the facility in the 1980s. May or may not be the newest. The wye at Sanford could be used as it is only one pair of engines per day. The problem in Santord is probably political rather than technical.

Turntable at Lorton was put in by Auto-Train Corp was part of the original build at that location

Word on the street is $1 billion for Amtrak in the bipartisan stimulus to cover the December - March period. Return to daily service may be a stipulation.

6 (5) OS Kewanee IL 1153 AM. 2 P units, 2 sleepers diner, lounge, 3 coaches

4(5) OS Kewanee 1225 PM

Colonel, "heard 'em both whistlin' by 18.7 (it's a QZ but they're working on the X-ing @ Prospect St.). #6(5) arr CUS 42ME, #4(5) 13ME.

Warren will be paying performance bonuses on both today.

Observed:

#5(7)
2 P-42, 3 "Private Room" (as they now seemed to be styled), Diner, Lounge, 2 Coach.

25 ML "out of the gate".

lordsigma12345 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 07, 2020 11:20 am Word on the street is $1 billion for Amtrak in the bipartisan stimulus to cover the December - March period. Return to daily service may be a stipulation.

It's part of the $43 billion to transit in the COVID-19 relief bill being discussed...

(checks weather)

...not enough. Not enough hot air coming up I-95. Once the bill's posted to the Library of Congress we'll get the details.