SELECTED ON-TIME PERFORMANCE 12/921 THROUGH ??????

Ultimately the Crescent issues are illustrative of problems throughout the long distance network regarding ongoing delays and continuous lengthening of the schedule. The Crescent already had a few hours added to its run time and it still take major delays from NS. It's absurd to think that NOL-ATL is about 500 miles and over 13 hours run time, coming out to about 37mph average.

Ultimately we need the STB to get involved, eliminate delays and get the schedules back to a reasonable running time. It's not too much to expect at least 60 mph average speeds on such a corridor and that would significantly improve the crewing issues, operating costs and revenue throughout the network.

Do you know what it would take to get the NOL-ATL Crescent average speeds up to 60 mph?
Much more money than what you realize. Illinois just spent around $2 Billion to get Lincoln service trains up to an average speed of 53 mph; over 284 rail miles in 5 hours and 20 minutes. To reach an average speed of 60 mph, the Lincoln Service trains will have to cut 36 minutes off their present schedule.
More math; 284 /60 = 4.7333 hours, ie 4 hours and 44 minute. 5:20 - 4:44 = 36 minutes.
Will 90 mph or 110 mph maximum speeds be needed?
Does that mean spending $4 Billion on tracks between NOL and ATL be required, or more for just 2 trains a day?

Not so bad for #19 today Friday. #19 arrived ATL 5 minutes early and only left ATL 43 minutes late.
Looking at #20 2"24 late arrival last night (actual early this morning arr at 0124 ) the delay for #19 appeared to be all Crew delay. Note that #20 left NOL 1:49 late also a crew delay. Just more cascading delays. Let us see what happens tonight.

As pf 0125 Tuesday morning #19 will depart at least :14 from ATL and #20 will depart NOL at least :08 late as it is stopped at the draw bridge in NOL. CREW delays.

west point wrote: ↑Tue Dec 21, 2021 1:36 am As pf 0125 Tuesday morning #19 will depart at least :14 from ATL and #20 will depart NOL at least :08 late as it is stopped at the draw bridge in NOL. CREW delays.

Final delays #19 left ATL :24 late. #20 left NOL 1:12 late. amazing arrived ATL 1:22 late. Both trains early enough that no crew delays tomorrow.

For whatever reason, Amtrak does not admit to operating #48 (21st) eastbound "Lake Shore Limited" or providing any information as to why it lost 3' 07" to SOB after departing CHI on time. Train dropped another 30" to TOL, but there is no information available as to the cause.

It is getting close for #19 out of ATL and #20 out of NOL being on time. Cannot know probably until tomorrow if more crew delays.

Looks like Amtrak is trying to set a new record for tardiness as #8 (24th) "Empire Builder" is running a reported 20' 51" behind schedule due to "Disabled freight train".

However, so far the train departed SEA 2' 10" late, lost 7' 30" between Everett and LWA; 2' 16" @ Spokane, and 6' 30" from there to Whitefish.

Anybody know any relevant details?

#20 for the 24th took a 1 hour delay out of NOL due to crew. What is sad most of the delay was ##19 inbound the night before. inside the new Orleans city limits.

UPDATE: Crescent Train 20 which is scheduled to depart New Orleans (NOL) on 12/24 has departed New Orleans (NOL) and is currently operating approximately 1hr late.
Amtrak Alerts
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Crescent Train 20 which is scheduled to depart New Orleans (NOL) on 12/24 will be delayed departing New Orleans (NOL). We will update when more information is available.

Autotrain has had some 49-car runs the last few days. That's one short of the maximum, combined passenger cars and autoracks. Normally it's more like 39.

On the downside, the busy overnight NPN-BOS, the only sleeper on the NEC, has had cancellations. I picked it up once at 2am at NYP southbound, thinking it would be empty, pre-Covid. Nope! "You will not be able to sit with your party. Make a new friend," came the announcement.

Does anybody know why the "Lake Shore Limited" (25th) was cancelled in both directions?

I don't see any explanation or advice on any Amtrak site.

shlustig wrote: ↑Wed Jan 26, 2022 1:33 pm Does anybody know why the "Lake Shore Limited" (25th) was cancelled in both directions?

I don't see any explanation or advice on any Amtrak site.

It would not have run from Chicago with the new and improved schedule on Tuesday or Wednesday. Pretty sure it does not run westbound on on Tuesday either come to think of it. New schedule just got dropped on us last week.

#7 (26th) "Empire Builder" took a 7' 46" delay at Milwaukee account "malfunction with one of the railcars". No further information. Anyone know the details?

While I may be an operational dinosaur from another era, perhaps somebody could explain why the eastbound Lake Shore Limited was cancelled, but there are 3 Empire trains running east from BUF to NYP. Would it have been too simple to combine #48 and #64?

Same for the westbounds.

One advantage of the NYC-style under-riding 3rd rail was that we continued normal operations when the LIRR and NYCTA lines were crippled because of ice / deep snow over their 3rd rails.

We were ordered not to resume full operations for a day on at least 2 occasions as we would make everyone else look bad.