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Why were the Empire Service trains recently cut back? Is it because they have to turn the trains in Sunnyside? Are there not enough (if any) cab cars or locomotives to be put on both ends so that the trains could simply terminate in Penn Station and not have to go to Sunnyside? jb

We are confusing Transitdocs with Dixieland (software). Transitdocs gets its data from a certain source at Amtrak. Amtrak hasn't updated that source yet to show all of the stations. Dixieland gets its data from a different Amtrak source and shows all of the stations. jb

The inaugural 40(10) has: 355 320 4 coaches cafe diner 2 sleepers baggage jb

My daughter came up with an interesting nickname for the new train: Pseudo Star. jb

19(7) and 20(7) are canceled between NYP and ATL. Why? jb

Who is "they"? Doesn't CSX usually start removing crossing gates in advance of hurricanes? That in itself would prevent Amtrak from running trains on anything like a normal schedule. jb

19(2) seems to be stuck in Atlanta. 20(2) seems to be stuck in New Orleans. Nothing has been announced by Amtrak including these trains' status. Have they been canceled? jb

You can find reasonably up to date timetables here. jb

The Office Track switch connects to main track 2, which is signalized. I'm not sure what HEP connections there are. The tracks for the new Gateway station in Charlotte are built along with their approaches and platforms. The station building is now in the planning phase. jb

Going north you could add one car length by building a retaining wall and filling in to support the extension. After that you'll hit the station. The switch on the south end might be able to be relocated further south, but I doubt if anyone would want to pay for it. By the way, this siding is...

While onboard (Piedmonts), the Assistant Conductors refer to themselves as the "flag", as in flagman, a reference to the traditional crew names: engineer, fireman, conductor, head brakeman (head man) and flagman (rear brakeman, rear man). jb

Today, eighteen years ago, Amtrak Status Maps went online. jb

Are power switches even necessary? How about hand-thrown spring switches on both ends of the station siding? Hand throw the switch to get into the siding and spring your way out of it. Very little signalling would need to be done initially. Then, later on, the power switches and signals...

When catenary wires break on one track they often foul adjacent tracks because when not under tension they tend to curl up, but not necessarily in a nice neat way. The reason is that when the wire was new it was rolled up neatly on a large spool. It wants to revert to its original shape. jb

Right. Whereas 29 currently connects to the Southwest Chief or the other western trains, I'm doubtful the new train will be able to. jb

What's going on with the East River Tunnel? Since there are 4 East River Tunnel tracks in 2(?) tunnels, why does that make it necessary to truncate the SS? jb

If it is indeed a through train between Miami and Chicago I have my doubts that it will EVER be on time. jb

If the issue is the new tunnel project in Baltimore, why not just have the SS skip Baltimore? After all, freight trains don't go through the Amtrak Baltimore tunnels. And also, how is the SM getting through the tunnels? jb

So the original time for the cutback of the Star was September, if I recall correctly. Now it's November. In the meantime, Amtrak still shows the schedule for 91/92 all the way to NYP, but with the availability as "sold out" north of WAS. Why would Amtrak continue to do it that way instead of...

The Harpers Ferry bridges were on fire for a time today. That canceled 29 and 30. But why not just run 30 to Pittsburgh and then let the people take 42, or better yet, run 30 through Harrisburg? 29 could have gone up to Philadelphia and turned left to Harrisburg. So why doesn't Amtrak have...