Amtrak 58, 59 originating/terminating in Jackson, MS.

[ParanoidAndroid]

For the last bunch of while, on asm.transitdocs.com, Amtrak 58 and 59 have been originating & terminating at Jackson, Mississippi. Anyone know what's happening?

 

[Thirdrail7]

Something about some cresting rivers and spillways.

City of New Orleans Trains 58 and 59: Busing between Jackson and New Orleans

City of New Orleans Trains 58 and 59: Busing between Jackson and New Orleans
Effective Until Further Notice

CN railway has closed the route used by the City of New Orleans due to flooding. Amtrak chartered buses are being provided between Jackson and New Orleans as substitute transportation for Trains 58 and 59. Normal train service will resume as soon as possible.

Passengers will be provided bus service in both directions between Jackson, Hazlehurst, Brookhaven, McComb, Hammond and New Orleans. Passengers traveling north from New Orleans are asked to arrive at Union Passenger Terminal by 12:15 to board the buses.We appreciate your patronage and apologize for any inconvenience. For schedules and information, visit Amtrak.com, use our free mobile apps, speak with station personnel or call 800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).

Thank you for traveling with Amtrak.

 

[west point]

The problem is that the Mississippi river is running too high. The spillway from the river to the lake is now open to relieve the possibility of flooding New Orleans. The wooden CN ( old lC ) bridge is considered too fragile to take the water pressure from the spillway. CN has cancelled any freights over the bridge until spillway is closed.

The last time spillway was open CN had to do major repairs to the bridge. CN caught bridge on fire and repairs then took longer than planned. Bridge has a slow order of just 10 MPH.

 

[TFrankMac]

A few days ago Amtrak listed April 1st as their target for resuming normal operations. Looks like things haven’t improved within the expected timetable and is now listed as “until further notice”

Sent from my iPhone using Amtrak Forum

 

[west point]

It all depends on how soon the Mississippi river goes below flood stage at New Orleans with the spillway closed. The more it rains on the Mississippi basin the longer the spillway will need to be open. The other factor is if and when CN can repair the bridge for traffic ? It is unlikely but the unknown factors of below water pilings might make repair near impossible ? We need to wonder why CN has not bitten the bullet and built a replacement bridge? SOU RR rebuilt their bridge across the lake on its present footprint. Took 2-1/2 years.

 

[Don Newcomb]

It will also probably ruin the oyster harvest in the Mississippi Sound. They don't like silty, fresh water.

 

[Gulfwind2]

This could be a matter of what coverage Amtrak gets in their insurance vs. their level of risk whilst the Bonnet Carré Flood Prevention Spillway is open. Although Amtrak traffic is truncated at Jackson for now, CN is running their usual lineup of merchandise & unit trains all the way south to New Orleans on a daily basis. I've observed this on a daily basis despite the fact that the diverted waters of the Mississippi appear to be rushing at incredible speed underneath the decrepit looking ex-Illinois Central Spillway trestle.

 

[Anthony V]

I read that the aforementioned spillway bridge is supposed to be replaced as part of the New Orleans - Baton Rouge passenger rail project. So when the passenger rail line to Baton Rouge is built, this issue should be resolved once and for all.

 

[west point]

Isn't Jackson - New Orleans route different than the Baton Rouge - New Orleans route ? Our understanding was last time the bridge was closed that CN ran their freights Hammond - Baton Rouge - New Orleans. Was that correct and is that the situation this time ?

 

[jis]

Isn't Jackson - New Orleans route different than the Baton Rouge - New Orleans route ? Our understanding was last time the bridge was closed that CN ran their freights Hammond - Baton Rouge - New Orleans. Was that correct and is that the situation this time ?

Yes. They are very different routes. Think I-10 and I-55, to get a feel for how different.

 

[Anthony V]

If that's the case, why isn't the CONO currently routed through Baton Rouge?

 

[jis]

If that's the case, why isn't the CONO currently routed through Baton Rouge?

I suggest you send a letter to Anderson asking that question.

Possibly has something to do with how much additional cost would be incurred vs. how little of the cost would be recovered through revenues.

And of course, do please keep us posted on what he says.

 

[Amtrak George]

The line via Baton Rouge leaves the direct NOLA line at Hammond. It is quite a bit longer in mileage as well as having lower speed limits. It is a safe bet that an Amtrak detour would cost extra hours and quite a bit of money. The long term solution is for CN to build a replacement bridge.

 

[Don Newcomb]

At the rate that they're closing the spillway, it should only be a few more days before the trestles can be inspected and normal service resumed. Assuming there's no damage, that is.