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Estimated arrival of 8 (30) in Chicago is now 5:10 a.m. on Sept. 2.
Empire Builder discussion 2023 Q4 - 2024
- Thread starter Jsandrews1
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Odds on annulment of 7(2)? Anyone?
west point
Engineer
The Portland section loco will provide HEP Spokane & east if the Seattle loco cannot.
If they arrive at 7 AM, they have 7 hours to turn the train. Hopefully it will still run, might be late though,
Steve's Wanderlust
Train Attendant
I'm booked on 27(2) out of CHI. I will update later.
We are on the Lake Shore due in to CUS around 1000. On today's EB. I still have a QR code.
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I cannot find the actual arrival time of this train on the Amtrak train status cite or on the privately run Amtrak train status archive site. Maybe it is still on the road and hasn't arrived yet. Maybe Amtrak is hoping that no one will notice.
It arrived in Chicago at 6:53 AM. Juuuust a tad late: 14 hours 8 minutes.
Chicago is a longer turn, being the home maintenance base. Seattle is the "away" terminal and they pretty much just clean, turn and top off the stock.
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This is Labor Day so what are the chances that train maintenance might be lightly staffed today?
I think the odds are about 50/50 of cancellation of 7(2). If the train cannot go out within an hour or two of OT, they'll be at risk of cascading delays with subsequent trips, due to 7(2) missing its slot and getting later. That happens with unfortunate regularity with the Builder, partly due to the relatively short time to turn at Seattle/Portland. It cannot recover much lost time over a couple hours in that turn. They ultimately have to cancel a trip to "reset" the equipment rotation when such a snowball happens. There is a reasonable possibility they'll cancel if they think that's coming rather than run several days of increasingly late trains, then do it anyway.
In any case, we'll see in the next few hours.
In any case, we'll see in the next few hours.
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What I'm puzzled about is why it took 8 or 9 hours to rescue that train. I'd say that's a sign of a banana republic. And as I said the other day, I'm surprised BNSF lets Amtrak run the Empire Builder through the long Cascade Tunnel with only one engine, given all the recent reliability problems. With both sections combined, the EB always has two locomotives through the almost-as-long Flathead Tunnel, with, as I recall, much less grade.
Very possibly no BNSF engineer available on short notice due to short staffing. A lot of T&E staff have left due to downright punitive time off policies.
Just saw a video of the extremely late 8(30) at Glenview, IL with the BNSF leader and both Amtrak engines, presumably including the culprit.
And the ALC42 strikes again!
And the ALC42 strikes again!
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Yes I understand that a BNSF unit had been leading this train, apparently upon departure from Ephrata, WA but corrections would be welcome.
Steve's Wanderlust
Train Attendant
We have been called to board via the south gate lounge, anticipating an on-time departure for 7/27(2).
Steve's Wanderlust
Train Attendant
7(2) is departing on time!
Pretty good for the Chicago Yard Crews!
It did depart on time. It shows the Chicago yard crew can get their act together if need be.
7's OBS crew has to be utterly exhausted, though. They're based in Seattle and turned with the train. My sympathies for them soldiering through.Pretty good for the Chicago Yard Crews!
27's is Chicago based, so should be rested.
Not having an overnight must suck. Can they tap into the extra board? Or no because they're not chicago based
Post on FB says Chicago cobbled together a replacement consist. Appears to be a complete consist, including SSL.
Pics at Glenview show power is two P42s...
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/CFEpb7mxncfpyW7i/?mibextid=oFDknk
Our SCA in the base sleeper lives in Chicago
