Chicago to Portland RT Trip Report

[ThePun]

I got of 7 today, so you should be getting my set. Cafe attendant seemed very friendly. Hope you have a great trip!

Yep, Think her name is Gina, super cool!

The Bedroom Sleeper car attendant Manny is also amazing!

 

[ThePun]

Return trip is stuff in Fargo with engine issues for few hours. Didn’t have heat or power for 1 hour or so.

 

[ThePun]

Update, freight unit is inbound to rescue us. I had travel insurance and gonna miss my connection and they mentioned to ask the attendant and then check in once I get to Chicago.

Two questions:
1. Anybody had any experience with them giving accommodations overnight for delays with travel insurance and issue with connections?

2. Do the Siemens units tend to go down like this in the cold, we have three engines and all dead. Did most of the trip on 1.5 pulling.

Good news I was still able to get an amazing breakfast to the room from my amazing attendant Manny.

 

[ThePun]

Update.

Travel Update: As of 5:56 AM PT, Trains 8 and 28 remain stopped east of Fargo (FAR) due to ongoing engine issues. A freight engine will be added to the trainset to resolve further issues. Updates to follow as more information becomes available. Departure estimates are subject to change. If a train is delayed past its scheduled departure time, it may still leave earlier than the updated estimate, if conditions allow. To avoid missing your train, please stay near the boarding area and monitor for announcements or updates. Please click the link https://www.amtrak.com/home.html?trainno=28&station=PDX&date=2025-01-02 for more information.

 

[ThePun]

Otherwise trip has been great, some amazing views and been hiding out in the bedroom relaxing and getting in room dinning.

 

[ThePun]

Well the good ole diesel fright is hooked up but the conductors are over on hours so had to wait 1.5 hours for the next crew to roll up into town.

Still East of Fargo chillen waiting for a team to drag us home. They Annie’s that at the next stop they will add smoke break as we have been sitting here since around 6am not moving.

I was told the freight runs about half the speed and has to haul the three dead weight trains back so no ETA at this time.

Maybe I’ll watch Fargo on my phone in Fargo.

 

[MccfamschoolMom]

Return trip is stuff in Fargo with engine issues for few hours. Didn’t have heat or power for 1 hour or so.

View attachment 38757

View attachment 38758

It could have been even worse. The eastbound EB was consistently 3 hours late arriving in Fargo when I was boarding it there in the mid-late '70s to get home from college, and no one had mobile phones to get updates on train status then. (Our best bet then was to stay inside the station and hope station personnel knew what was going on.)

 

[MccfamschoolMom]

Well the good ole diesel fright is hooked up but the conductors are over on hours so had to wait 1.5 hours for the next crew to roll up into town.

Still East of Fargo chillen waiting for a team to drag us home. They Annie’s that at the next stop they will add smoke break as we have been sitting here since around 6am not moving.

I was told the freight runs about half the speed and has to haul the three dead weight trains back so no ETA at this time.

Maybe I’ll watch Fargo on my phone in Fargo.

View attachment 38772

I see Concordia College is on your map, just SE of Fargo (on the other side of the river in Moorhead, MN). That was the college I attended back in the day!

 

[oregon pioneer]

Update, freight unit is inbound to rescue us. I had travel insurance and gonna miss my connection and they mentioned to ask the attendant and then check in once I get to Chicago.

Two questions:
1. Anybody had any experience with them giving accommodations overnight for delays with travel insurance and issue with connections?

2. Do the Siemens units tend to go down like this in the cold, we have three engines and all dead. Did most of the trip on 1.5 pulling.

Good news I was still able to get an amazing breakfast to the room from my amazing attendant Manny.

1. You won't even need to make a claim on your trip insurance. Amtrak is really good to customers with guaranteed connections. This happened to me last January, just about the same time of year. When we had missed our connections, they sent an automatic rebooking on the next day's trains and yes, I was given the same type of accommodation (what happened the next day us in my trip report, a total other story). Our late, late train was met by customer service agents who directed us to a lounge where they called us up and handed us vouchers for accommodations and meals. Then we were directed down a ramp to a bus, which filled up and immediately took off for our designated hotel (in this case, as Hilton Canopy only about four blocks across the river from the station). Food vouchers were good at participating vendors in the station food court. This was pretty limited, but since I love bagels and lattes, I ended up at least twice at Dunkin (where they happily accepted the vouchers).

2. yup, a Siemens engine was in the lead on my train. It refused to cooperate with the PTC after MSP. I heard it was due to the cold, but I also heard they manage to use them in Canada, so I don't know what gives.


Just remember: They already know how late you are, and they will be ready for you when you get there. Check your email for your new ticket, and if you don't like what you are given get on the phone right away because they will do their best to change it to your satisfaction. Things happen, weather happens, but they have been through this dance many times and they are really quite good at it.

You can find my trip report from last winter here: https://www.amtraktrains.com/thread...and-back-a-tale-of-two-different-trips.86898/

 

[ThePun]

1. You won't even need to make a claim on your trip insurance. Amtrak is really good to customers with guaranteed connections. This happened to me last January, just about the same time of year. When we had missed our connections, they sent an automatic rebooking on the next day's trains and yes, I was given the same type of accommodation (what happened the next day us in my trip report, a total other story). Our late, late train was met by customer service agents who directed us to a lounge where they called us up and handed us vouchers for accommodations and meals. Then we were directed down a ramp to a bus, which filled up and immediately took off for our designated hotel (in this case, as Hilton Canopy only about four blocks across the river from the station). Food vouchers were good at participating vendors in the station food court. This was pretty limited, but since I love bagels and lattes, I ended up at least twice at Dunkin (where they happily accepted the vouchers).

2. yup, a Siemens engine was in the lead on my train. It refused to cooperate with the PTC after MSP. I heard it was due to the cold, but I also heard they manage to use them in Canada, so I don't know what gives.
View attachment 38774

Just remember: They already know how late you are, and they will be ready for you when you get there. Check your email for your new ticket, and if you don't like what you are given get on the phone right away because they will do their best to change it to your satisfaction. Things happen, weather happens, but they have been through this dance many times and they are really quite good at it.

You can find my trip report from last winter here: https://www.amtraktrains.com/thread...and-back-a-tale-of-two-different-trips.86898/

Thanks for the info, I have too many connecting travel plans gonna ditch the bus and rent a car then deal with refunds or credit later since all customer service lines buried and not have time to take a buss. They are saying other engines and rigs are down so no new trains anywhere.

 

[Cal]

Siemens units tend to go down like this in the cold, we have three engines and all dead. Did most of the trip on 1.5 pulling.

Your train has two P42s and only one Siemens, which was the lead