Amtrak long term service cancellations and restorations (2022-2023H1)

[user 14106]

A poster (who is usually reliable) on TO has posted what appears to be the summer service plans. Amtrak has not yet announced anything so we probably cannot yet call it official until they do - and one can make their way to that site to see the full details. But highlights of what they posted - bad news first:

- Silver Meteor suspension and 5 days a week Crescent and City of New Orleans extended through September 11.

- Texas Eagle/Capitol Limited equipment run through ends May 2 and both trains resume independent daily service.

- Southwest Chief, Empire Builder, California Zephyr, and Lake Shore Limited back to daily May 23.

Doing a quick search on Amtrak app - CONO and Crescent sleeper rooms now appear to be blocked out on the current off days through September. And as we’ve seen - Meteor also blocked out. Hopefully the good news in what has been posted come true. Some other information related to planned NEC and state supported restorations including some tentative dates on Ethan Allen to Burlington and Maple Leaf restoration if one wants to head on over and peruse what has been posted..

 

[TinCan782]

It now appears the five-day-a-week schedule is extended into late July. Just got a cancellation notice for my late July reservation on the Crescent. We are connecting from the SL.
Called the Select Plus number and was able to re-book that leg into a bedroom (same as original) for the next day. Whew!
Two nights in NOLA instead of one.
New "Multi-City" eTicket in hand.

Speaking of calling. My wait time was estimated to be thirty minutes so, I opted for the call back. Well, I went through the hoops of setting up a call back and the system said it couldn't be done. Well, it rolled me back to the call que and I was #1! So much waiting for 30 minutes.

 

[user 14106]

It now appears the five-day-a-week schedule is extended into late July. Just got a cancellation notice for my late July reservation on the Crescent. We are connecting from the SL.
Called the Select Plus number and was able to re-book that leg into a bedroom (same as original) for the next day. Whew!
Two nights in NOLA instead of one.
New "Multi-City" eTicket in hand.

Speaking of calling. My wait time was estimated to be thirty minutes so, I opted for the call back. Well, I went through the hoops of setting up a call back and the system said it couldn't be done. Well, it rolled me back to the call que and I was #1! So much waiting 30 minutes.

Supposedly September 11 for Crescent and CONO. Western trains and Lake Shore back to daily May 23.

 

[Sidney]

It now appears the five-day-a-week schedule is extended into late July. Just got a cancellation notice for my late July reservation on the Crescent. We are connecting from the SL.
Called the Select Plus number and was able to re-book that leg into a bedroom (same as original) for the next day. Whew!
Two nights in NOLA instead of one.
New "Multi-City" eTicket in hand.

Speaking of calling. My wait time was estimated to be thirty minutes so, I opted for the call back. Well, I went through the hoops of setting up a call back and the system said it couldn't be done. Well, it rolled me back to the call que and I was #1! So much waiting 30 minutes.

May 23 daily service resumes on the EB CZ and SWC. Mid September on the CONO and Crescent. Hope that doesn't change.

 

[joelkfla]

That sucks for FL -- no westbound connections, and a tight eastbound one. If they would just move the 92 departure up an hour, at least we'd have a shot at the Cap Ltd.

ETA: I just sent an email to my Congressperson about this.
ETAA: And both senators.

 

[TinCan782]

- Texas Eagle/Capitol Limited equipment run through ends May 2 and both trains resume independent daily service.

Surprise, surprise! LOL!

 

[Sidney]

Surprise, surprise! LOL!

Still an 11:55AM Chicago departure. I m coming in on 29. I decided to do 29 one day earlier and stay in Chicago overnight. Peace of mind.

 

[user 14106]

We’ll have to see if they end up shifting the schedule back when they axe the run through.

 

[Cal]

So thankful I booked my CONO on a day that it runs on the five-a-week schedule.

 

[jis]

Updated LD days of operation tables have been posted at:

https://www.amtraktrains.com/threads/amtrak-ld-days-of-operation-through-september-2022.80938/

 

[TinCan782]

So thankful I booked my CONO on a day that it runs on the five-a-week schedule.

Yea, although I got caught in a cancellation on the Crescent, my return is on one of the five days it is running.

 

[dwebarts]

I used it often after going to a game at MSG

True. It's not as if the Bruins, Flyers, or Caps ever play the Rangers.

 

[Heading North]

I’ve taken 65/66/67 many times over the years, mostly on the southern end, sometimes the northern. Security at NYP is a nontrivial issue, and all-night places everywhere seem fewer than pre-pandemic, perhaps for staffing reasons (like 24-hour diners, concessions at highway rest areas, etc.). But this would be a really serious mistake given all the smaller markets this train serves, including the shows and sporting events people mentioned.

From Baltimore/DC/Alexandria, it’s a day trip to Richmond Main Street or Williamsburg. And from points north, a way to get to and from VA without losing a whole day. I used it to easily overnight from Alexandria to Maine years ago.

I’ve seen it sold out from WAS to PHL in both directions, especially on weekends, and from NHV/PVD east it seemed to have a brisk commuter business. I’ve also seen it used to accommodate passengers to/from the Palmetto, Cardinal, and the Canadian trains in NYP. Hard to see another train in that cleanup role, and even if it were split (say to keep PHL-WAS) the north end has no good terminus except NYP.

I do wonder if the schedule could be tweaked (or the sleeper moved to another train) to be more consistent with the Moynihan closing hours, but that probably means having a set-out situation somewhere eg northbound either arriving in Boston at 4-5 am or departing WAS around midnight… and possibly shuffling security issues at the other stations too, not to mention risking lower OTP.

 

[WWW]

I’ve taken 65/66/67 many times over the years, mostly on the southern end, sometimes the northern. Security at NYP is a nontrivial issue, and all-night places everywhere seem fewer than pre-pandemic, perhaps for staffing reasons (like 24-hour diners, concessions at highway rest areas, etc.). But this would be a really serious mistake given all the smaller markets this train serves, including the shows and sporting events people mentioned.

From Baltimore/DC/Alexandria, it’s a day trip to Richmond Main Street or Williamsburg. And from points north, a way to get to and from VA without losing a whole day. I used it to easily overnight from Alexandria to Maine years ago.

I’ve seen it sold out from WAS to PHL in both directions, especially on weekends, and from NHV/PVD east it seemed to have a brisk commuter business. I’ve also seen it used to accommodate passengers to/from the Palmetto, Cardinal, and the Canadian trains in NYP. Hard to see another train in that cleanup role, and even if it were split (say to keep PHL-WAS) the north end has no good terminus except NYP.

I do wonder if the schedule could be tweaked (or the sleeper moved to another train) to be more consistent with the Moynihan closing hours, but that probably means having a set-out situation somewhere eg northbound either arriving in Boston at 4-5 am or departing WAS around midnight… and possibly shuffling security issues at the other stations too, not to mention risking lower OTP.

***How dare you suggest how to run a railroad ?*** LOL ! Would someone anyone at all listen to your Dilbert (comic strip character) plan !
Just maybe with the MASK mandate lifted things can perhaps return to normal somewhere left off in the great void 2 years ago.

 

[Pal2Pluto]

Argh. I went to review my itinerary for my Empire Builder trip from Seattle back home to Wisconsin on Sat May 14 with my 2 kids, only to discover that my family bedroom was canceled. My college student kid's roomette (extra room, better for all of us) in a different car was not.

I received no notification of this and wouldn't have found out about it if I hadn't checked myself. All other bedrooms are "sold out." It seems maybe the family bedroom car has been dropped from the train?

This is frustrating because we'd originally been booked on the Thursday May 12 Empire Builder, but that was canceled because the entire route got canceled on Thursdays and Fridays recently. I did get notification of that. This time, though -- nothing.

We could all maybe change to the May 15 train, but at that point I've extended our trip by 3 days and those hotel rooms are getting expensive. And it looks like there might be only one roomette left that day anyway, which isn't enough for the 3 of us.

The agent suggested I keep going back to the website because a room might still open up before May 14. "People cancel all the time." Any insights or suggestions? And does anybody have info on whether that family bedroom car might reappear for May 14?

I hear you sooooo well...... we've also extended our cross country round trip (11 day) by 2 days (now 13 day) because of the threat of trains not being available/cancelled on particular days. Hotels are expensive. I'm sorry you're going through this.

I'm surprised they would cancel and not notify you..... but then again, after learning how this is all happening.....guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Please keep us posted.....

 

[BlackDiamond]

Silver Meteor suspension and 5 days a week Crescent and City of New Orleans extended through September 11.

Hopefully the Meteor gets restored at that point, in time for "snowbird season".

 

[user 14106]

Hopefully the Meteor gets restored at that point, in time for "snowbird season".

Me too I’m scheduled to on it in October.

 

[striker64]

Ugh, Meteor still canceled through September. I'm not scheduled to ride on it again until November, but it's getting uncomfortably close to that date already and I really prefer the timekeeping of the Meteor over the Star.

Planning a Crescent ride in December, guess I should make sure not to travel on Tuesday or Wednesday so I don't end up frustrated.

 

[Willbridge]

I received notice today that Train 59 from CHI on Saturday, July 16th is canceled "due to a service disruption." After an hour of hold music, a courteous agent moved my departures from DEN and CHI up a day. Now to pay for an extra night in NOLA.

 

[fillyjonk]

A poster (who is usually reliable) on TO has posted what appears to be the summer service plans. Amtrak has not yet announced anything so we probably cannot yet call it official until they do - and one can make their way to that site to see the full details. But highlights of what they posted - bad news first:

- Silver Meteor suspension and 5 days a week Crescent and City of New Orleans extended through September 11.

- Texas Eagle/Capitol Limited equipment run through ends May 2 and both trains resume independent daily service.

- Southwest Chief, Empire Builder, California Zephyr, and Lake Shore Limited back to daily May 23.

The May 2 thing seems accurate - I had a trip booked on the TE (go up on the 11th, come back here on the 27th) and originally it blocked in the several-hours-in-St.-Louis (for the inspection). Yesterday I got a "revised" ticket where I get to Bloomington closer to the "old" time, and I don't have to leave until 4 pm. (The new time had me leaving around 2 pm)

Of course things can (and probably will) change, but at this point it looks like the equipment-share might be done, thank goodness.

 

[Sidney]

Still an 11:55AM Chicago departure. I m coming in on 29. I decided to do 29 one day earlier and stay in Chicago overnight. Peace of mind.

Now 421 is back to it's original starting time at 1:45PM. Booked 29 again on the same day.Saves me$160 overnighting. That two hour difference is a nice cushion.

 

[Bob Dylan]

The May 2 thing seems accurate - I had a trip booked on the TE (go up on the 11th, come back here on the 27th) and originally it blocked in the several-hours-in-St.-Louis (for the inspection). Yesterday I got a "revised" ticket where I get to Bloomington closer to the "old" time, and I don't have to leave until 4 pm. (The new time had me leaving around 2 pm)

Of course things can (and probably will) change, but at this point it looks like the equipment-share might be done, thank goodness.

Now if only they'll add back the SSL, the Transdorm and return to Traditional Dinning, maybe the High Bucket Fares will drop to the Affordable Range???

 

[Sidney]

Now if only they'll add back the SSL, the Transdorm and return to Traditional Dinning, maybe the High Bucket Fares will drop to the Affordable Range???

There were still a few low buckets on the TE/SL last I looked.Grabbed one in August. Indeed return the SSL and traditional dining!

 

[fdaley]

I’ve taken 65/66/67 many times over the years, mostly on the southern end, sometimes the northern. Security at NYP is a nontrivial issue, and all-night places everywhere seem fewer than pre-pandemic, perhaps for staffing reasons (like 24-hour diners, concessions at highway rest areas, etc.). But this would be a really serious mistake given all the smaller markets this train serves, including the shows and sporting events people mentioned.

From Baltimore/DC/Alexandria, it’s a day trip to Richmond Main Street or Williamsburg. And from points north, a way to get to and from VA without losing a whole day. I used it to easily overnight from Alexandria to Maine years ago.

I’ve seen it sold out from WAS to PHL in both directions, especially on weekends, and from NHV/PVD east it seemed to have a brisk commuter business. I’ve also seen it used to accommodate passengers to/from the Palmetto, Cardinal, and the Canadian trains in NYP. Hard to see another train in that cleanup role, and even if it were split (say to keep PHL-WAS) the north end has no good terminus except NYP.

I do wonder if the schedule could be tweaked (or the sleeper moved to another train) to be more consistent with the Moynihan closing hours, but that probably means having a set-out situation somewhere eg northbound either arriving in Boston at 4-5 am or departing WAS around midnight… and possibly shuffling security issues at the other stations too, not to mention risking lower OTP.

There was a period in the late '90s when 66/67 ran as the Twilight Shoreliner with times adjusted to about 1 a.m. in both directions at NYP. They even kept the Metropolitan Lounge open for sleeper passengers, as I recall from one trip in 1998 when we had a roomette from New York to Richmond to attend a wedding. I also remember having a room at least once during this period from NYP to Boston, where it arrived about 6 a.m. The latter resulted in terrible times for the local stations between New Haven and Providence. And Boston is still pretty sleepy at 6 a.m.

The traditional Night Owl times at NYP are less attractive, but the schedule worked better almost everywhere else on the route. I've used this train a lot over the years and hope it returns -- with sleeper.

 

[Heading North]

Yes, I remember that schedule! Took it twice from MET to BOS, then a daytime Regional back. 11:30/midnight departure was very doable for the NJ stops (and 1 am in Manhattan felt very different from 2-3 am).