DOJ Cites NS for Crescent Delays

[JWM]

Now, if only the "priority law" only had some teeth in it. NS is, of course, not alone. Hefty fines would help. Thoughts?

https://www.investopedia.com/norfol...j-of-illegally-delaying-amtrak-trains-8686229

 

[Trollopian]

More at this article: https://wapo.st/3WJZDgw. Excerpt:

"Norfolk Southern controls all but about 240 miles of the 1,377-mile line, called the Crescent Route, and is in charge of dispatching both freight and passenger trains. Federal law requires the company to give Amtrak trains preference. But according to the lawsuit, Norfolk Southern has instead held up passengers, sometimes for hours, to allow its longer and slower-moving freight trains to pass. Only about 24 percent of Amtrak trains on the route arrive on time, according to the lawsuit and Amtrak’s own audits."

Besides reducing demand on the route, the delays cause operational headaches and extra costs for Amtrak which has to juggle trains and crews.

You shouldn't encounter a paywall...I've "gifted" the article using my Post subscription, which warns me I can only share 4 more articles this month, and seeing as it's the 31st I'm gonna chance it.

 

[user535733]

There is little need to wander the wilderness looking for reporting. Just read the actual complaint, which is not very long and much clearer than most reporting.

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

This is after they lengthen the schedule with the agreement with NS, for better timekeeping.

A big fine that to be accessed and spent on double track this route in a timely manner. That my vote.

Additional bonus go back to the original timetable.

 

[John Santos]

More at this article: https://wapo.st/3WJZDgw. Excerpt:

"Norfolk Southern controls all but about 240 miles of the 1,377-mile line, called the Crescent Route, and is in charge of dispatching both freight and passenger trains. Federal law requires the company to give Amtrak trains preference. But according to the lawsuit, Norfolk Southern has instead held up passengers, sometimes for hours, to allow its longer and slower-moving freight trains to pass. Only about 24 percent of Amtrak trains on the route arrive on time, according to the lawsuit and Amtrak’s own audits."

Besides reducing demand on the route, the delays cause operational headaches and extra costs for Amtrak which has to juggle trains and crews.

You shouldn't encounter a paywall...I've "gifted" the article using my Post subscription, which warns me I can only share 4 more articles this month, and seeing as it's the 31st I'm gonna chance it.

Liked: That Amtrak is finally asserting its rights under the law.
Disliked: That NS has been getting away with this for decades
Disliked: The resulting on-time performance of the Crescent
Liked: That you gifted the article.

On the balance, a "Like"!

 

[west point]

Additional bonus go back to the original timetable.

What should be required is that no freight train can be longer on a district that the shortest siding every 25 - 30 miles, Although in the short term will require more freight T & E the push to lengthen sidings becomes much greater.

 

[cassie225]

Is it gonna change anything since they been doing it for years anyway or is the complaint worth the paper it’s written on?

 

[JWM]

So many of the carriers have ripped up second track that this is what happens. Some are putting it back, but that takes time. In the end, only heavy fines will stop the delaying of Amtrak trains.

 

[dlagrua]

So many of the carriers have ripped up second track that this is what happens. Some are putting it back, but that takes time. In the end, only heavy fines will stop the delaying of Amtrak trains.

When passenger rail became way smaller in the 1960's and 1970's many freight railroads did in fact rip up their two track lines and went to single tracks. The PRR Broadway Ltd was a prime example that was once two tracks through Ohio, Indiana and om to Chicago. Now its only a single track NS freight line but there is potential for passenger service there again.
With the mile+ long freights of today the rails are very crowded and most passing sidings cannot accommodate them. Up by me the slow freight trains run every 15 minutes. Right now the way to get passenger trains to move on schedule is to get the freight moving faster, but in the long run double tracks and new routes will be required.

 

[jimdex]

Additional bonus go back to the original timetable.

Yes, the altered schedule is much more inconvenient for Atlanta, the biggest market south of Washington.

 

[GDRRiley]

Is it gonna change anything since they been doing it for years anyway or is the complaint worth the paper it’s written on?

Amtrak's now trying 2 routes, DOJ for the crescent hosted by NS and STB for sunset limited hosted by UP
Amtrak has a clear case in both that the host railroads have delayed them due to freight trains getting higher priority

 

[west point]

Not quite sure how this would work. Make the fine a very large amount. That fine would need to be invested on the Crescent route in addition to any NS planned improvements. Example say a $400M fine would be used to add or making sidings longer for any monster trains on the Crescent route.

Amtrak and / or FRA would select locations.