Empire Builder discussion 2023 Q4 - 2024

[Rasputin]

I see that 8(30) is operating 13 hours 30 minutes late due to an apparent locomotive breakdown near Ephrata, WA. Arrival in Chicago is expected to be 2:39 a.m. Sept. 2.

There is a discussion on another list that Amtrak no longer has a spare locomotive at Spokane. Not sure how long that has been going on.

Estimated arrival of 8 (30) in Chicago is now 5:10 a.m. on Sept. 2.

 

[zephyr17]

Estimated arrival of 8 (30) in Chicago is now 5:10 a.m. on Sept. 2.

Odds on annulment of 7(2)? Anyone?

 

[west point]

The Portland section loco will provide HEP Spokane & east if the Seattle loco cannot.

 

[Cal]

Odds on annulment of 7(2)? Anyone?

If they arrive at 7 AM, they have 7 hours to turn the train. Hopefully it will still run, might be late though,

 

[Steve's Wanderlust]

I'm booked on 27(2) out of CHI. I will update later.

 

[Trucker72]

We are on the Lake Shore due in to CUS around 1000. On today's EB. I still have a QR code.

 

[MARC Rider]

If they arrive at 7 AM, they have 7 hours to turn the train. Hopefully it will still run, might be late though,

That should be more than enough time. I had a 7 come into Seattle 5 hours late, and they turned the train and left as 8 in less than 3 hours.

 

[Rasputin]

Estimated arrival of 8 (30) in Chicago is now 5:10 a.m. on Sept. 2.

I cannot find the actual arrival time of this train on the Amtrak train status cite or on the privately run Amtrak train status archive site. Maybe it is still on the road and hasn't arrived yet. Maybe Amtrak is hoping that no one will notice.

 

[JayPea]

I cannot find the actual arrival time of this train on the Amtrak train status cite or on the privately run Amtrak train status archive site. Maybe it is still on the road and hasn't arrived yet. Maybe Amtrak is hoping that no one will notice.

It arrived in Chicago at 6:53 AM. Juuuust a tad late: 14 hours 8 minutes.

 

[zephyr17]

That should be more than enough time. I had a 7 come into Seattle 5 hours late, and they turned the train and left as 8 in less than 3 hours.

Chicago is a longer turn, being the home maintenance base. Seattle is the "away" terminal and they pretty much just clean, turn and top off the stock.

 

[Rasputin]

Chicago is a longer turn, being the home maintenance base. Seattle is the "away" terminal and they pretty much just clean, turn and top off the stock.

This is Labor Day so what are the chances that train maintenance might be lightly staffed today?

 

[zephyr17]

I think the odds are about 50/50 of cancellation of 7(2). If the train cannot go out within an hour or two of OT, they'll be at risk of cascading delays with subsequent trips, due to 7(2) missing its slot and getting later. That happens with unfortunate regularity with the Builder, partly due to the relatively short time to turn at Seattle/Portland. It cannot recover much lost time over a couple hours in that turn. They ultimately have to cancel a trip to "reset" the equipment rotation when such a snowball happens. There is a reasonable possibility they'll cancel if they think that's coming rather than run several days of increasingly late trains, then do it anyway.

In any case, we'll see in the next few hours.

 

[Harmon Shay]

What I'm puzzled about is why it took 8 or 9 hours to rescue that train. I'd say that's a sign of a banana republic. And as I said the other day, I'm surprised BNSF lets Amtrak run the Empire Builder through the long Cascade Tunnel with only one engine, given all the recent reliability problems. With both sections combined, the EB always has two locomotives through the almost-as-long Flathead Tunnel, with, as I recall, much less grade.

 

[zephyr17]

What I'm puzzled about is why it took 8 or 9 hours to rescue that train.

Very possibly no BNSF engineer available on short notice due to short staffing. A lot of T&E staff have left due to downright punitive time off policies.

 

[zephyr17]

Just saw a video of the extremely late 8(30) at Glenview, IL with the BNSF leader and both Amtrak engines, presumably including the culprit.

And the ALC42 strikes again!

 

[Rasputin]

Just saw a video of the extremely late 8(30) at Glenview, IL with the BNSF leader and both Amtrak engines, presumably including the culprit.

And the ALC42 strikes again!

Yes I understand that a BNSF unit had been leading this train, apparently upon departure from Ephrata, WA but corrections would be welcome.

 

[Steve's Wanderlust]

We have been called to board via the south gate lounge, anticipating an on-time departure for 7/27(2).

 

[Steve's Wanderlust]

7(2) is departing on time!

 

[Bob Dylan]

We have been called to board via the south gate lounge, anticipating an on-time departure for 7/27(2).

Pretty good for the Chicago Yard Crews!

 

[JayPea]

It did depart on time. It shows the Chicago yard crew can get their act together if need be.

 

[zephyr17]

Pretty good for the Chicago Yard Crews!

7's OBS crew has to be utterly exhausted, though. They're based in Seattle and turned with the train. My sympathies for them soldiering through.

27's is Chicago based, so should be rested.

 

[Cal]

7's OBS crew has to be utterly exhausted, though. They're based in Seattle and turned with the train. My sympathies for them soldiering through.

Not having an overnight must suck. Can they tap into the extra board? Or no because they're not chicago based

 

[zephyr17]

Not having an overnight must suck. Can they tap into the extra board? Or no because they're not chicago based

Not sure, but they gotta get home as well. They can't work back on another train. 8(31)'s crew will turn on 7(3).

 

[zephyr17]

It did depart on time. It shows the Chicago yard crew can get their act together if need be.

Post on FB says Chicago cobbled together a replacement consist. Appears to be a complete consist, including SSL.

Pics at Glenview show power is two P42s...

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/CFEpb7mxncfpyW7i/?mibextid=oFDknk

 

[Trucker72]

7's OBS crew has to be utterly exhausted, though. They're based in Seattle and turned with the train. My sympathies for them soldiering through.

27's is Chicago based, so should be rested.

Our SCA in the base sleeper lives in Chicago