Empire Builder Summer Blues Started Early this year

[yarrow]

7/27 both seem to have dropped off the status map today even though they were just a bit late leaving spk? bustitution? why?

 

[tonys96]

Where is the link to the last few weeks arrival times for 8/28. Going to MSP in a few weeks and just looking to see the "average" arrival time there.

Thanks

 

[yarrow]

Where is the link to the last few weeks arrival times for 8/28. Going to MSP in a few weeks and just looking to see the "average" arrival time there.Thanks

http://www.amtrakdelays.onlineschedulingsoftware.com

 

[NW cannonball]

So, roughly, you can expect to arrive before noon. Give or take a few hours.

 

[tonys96]

Thanks!

We are going to arrive on Sunday. It looks like Sundays are the better day of the whole bunch......

 

[montana mike]

Yes, weekends should be better, not as much construction, just mostly heavy freight traffic. The BNSF estimate of 1-2 hour delays on weekends has been holding reasonably accurately so far, with about double (or more) that on weekdays. So your Sunday should work well for you.

 

[jebr]

Just an FYI:

The connection to the Capitol Limited was made today. They bustituted for the Cardinal. Heard the announcements while waiting for the 307.

 

[montana mike]

A little good news from BNSF. They have completed a portion of one of their projects and will not start another major one for a while yet--waiting for materials and manpower to be available.. But I was cautioned to not expect this lull to last for too long. Any help will be welcomed!!!

 

[Rail Freak]

A little good news from BNSF. They have completed a portion of one of their projects and will not start another major one for a while yet--waiting for materials and manpower to be available.. But I was cautioned to not expect this lull to last for too long. Any help will be welcomed!!!

If the lull can last for just 4 more weeks, I have a date with Glacier Park!!! :unsure: :huh:

 

[Guest]

A little good news from BNSF. They have completed a portion of one of their projects and will not start another major one for a while yet--waiting for materials and manpower to be available.. But I was cautioned to not expect this lull to last for too long. Any help will be welcomed!!!

Any idea how long this will last?

 

[yarrow]

A little good news from BNSF. They have completed a portion of one of their projects and will not start another major one for a while yet--waiting for materials and manpower to be available.. But I was cautioned to not expect this lull to last for too long. Any help will be welcomed!!!

it sure is nice to see green and a little yellow on the amtrak status map for the hi-line instead of solid red. must be about time for another eb quirk of fate. grizzly bear, wildfire, equipment failure.......

 

[montana mike]

Good news--#8 arrived in CHI only 26 minutes late--best performance in months!!

Bad News-#7 chugging thru eastern MT right now lost almost 3 hours in the construction zones of ND and MT during its trek today

We have seen much worse, so let's keep hoping that things improve. I do wish Amtrak would recognize the fact that the train ends up stopped in Williston about 15-20 minutes every time I have taken the EB this year (which is 6 so far). There are just so many people getting on and off, plus lots of baggage, that the logistics of getting everyone sorted out just takes that much time. This is NOT going to slow down, like the construction will at some point in the future. Williston is now a major stop and should be recognized as such.

 

[yarrow]

Williston is now a major stop and should be recognized as such.

exactly. we were through on the eb last fall and were in williston nearly 30min just for passenger work. plenty of time to get off, take pics of the old equipment on display, see the nice station, etc

 

[JayPea]

26 minutes late into Chicago??? As Yogi Berra might say, that's the earliest it's been late in a long time! :lol:

 

[Bob Dylan]

26 minutes late into Chicago??? As Yogi Berra might say, that's the earliest it's been late in a long time! :lol:

To paraphrase another Yogism: : "It's so popular that no-one rides that train anymore! :giggle:

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

Good news--#8 arrived in CHI only 26 minutes late--best performance in months!! Bad News-#7 chugging thru eastern MT right now lost almost 3 hours in the construction zones of ND and MT during its trek today

We have seen much worse, so let's keep hoping that things improve. I do wish Amtrak would recognize the fact that the train ends up stopped in Williston about 15-20 minutes every time I have taken the EB this year (which is 6 so far). There are just so many people getting on and off, plus lots of baggage, that the logistics of getting everyone sorted out just takes that much time. This is NOT going to slow down, like the construction will at some point in the future. Williston is now a major stop and should be recognized as such.

Hey, at least the 7 (27) has made up over a half-hour by now. Not much but it's something. The 8 (27) is in big trouble though, it too a dive into the delays by losing two hours after Wolf Point.

Also, 7 (27) has got #822 right now, while 5 (27) has got #184 and 14 (28) is running with #156. The retro units are on the move in the West! It's nice to see a P40DC in action, as well!

 

[montana mike]

Monday Update: #8, now in MN is running 4 hours behind and #7 in ND is 2 hours slow. Doesn't look like this week is starting off very well

Service Disruption: Amtrak now showing a service disruption on #8 between Wolf Point and Williston. Too bad-it was only about a half-hour behind schedule when something caused this disruption. Anyone have any information on this?

 

[PRR 60]

Monday Update: #8, now in MN is running 4 hours behind and #7 in ND is 2 hours slow. Doesn't look like this week is starting off very well
Service Disruption: Amtrak now showing a service disruption on #8 between Wolf Point and Williston. Too bad-it was only about a half-hour behind schedule when something caused this disruption. Anyone have any information on this?

Report at Trainorders is that #8 struck a bulldozer near Trenton ND (just west of Williston). The lead unit is reported to be damaged and derailed, and there is a fuel leak.

 

[montana mike]

Bummer. Hope no one was on the bull dozer when they collided. :-( Hope the engineer is OK.

This will be an interesting story to be sure and may delay not just this train but possibly other EBs as well. So sad to see something like this happen for all concerned.

 

[Texan Eagle]

Is there ANYTHING left that the Empire Builder has NOT hit yet? Farming equipment, grizzly bear (not hit, but caused delay), now bulldozer. What next? Alien Spaceship?

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

Is there ANYTHING left that the Empire Builder has NOT hit yet? Farming equipment, grizzly bear (not hit, but caused delay), now bulldozer. What next? Alien Spaceship?

Hey, don't forget the water truck! Maybe next time it'll hit a fallen log! :giggle:

 

[GG-1]

Is there ANYTHING left that the Empire Builder has NOT hit yet? Farming equipment, grizzly bear (not hit, but caused delay), now bulldozer. What next? Alien Spaceship?

Wasn't it the Southwest Chief the hit the Alien Spaceship? Knocked it all the Way to Roswell, NM. :huh: :lol:

Aloha

 

[Donna]

Great. Today is the day I take no.7 out to Spokane from Chicago.You say they have a tendency to hit things on the no.8 more? Hoping all will be cleared and in useable order by next Monday when I take the no.8 back to Chicago. Any other immediate concerns, other than blockages and late arrivals I need to worry about? Will there be temporary wifi available while stopped inMSP?

 

[Michael061282]

a quick snapshot of #8's lead loco.. doesn't look good. The fuel leak sounds like its coming from the trailing unit. So what does Amtrak do when both units get put out of commission in mid run? If there protecting somewhere up there?

http://www.ktvq.com/images/thumbnails/E41E3B4F557E0D72D7CDEF55D9B3AFBF_292_292.jpg

 

[yarrow]

a quick snapshot of #8's lead loco.. doesn't look good. The fuel leak sounds like its coming from the trailing unit. So what does Amtrak do when both units get put out of commission in mid run? If there protecting somewhere up there?
http://www.ktvq.com/images/thumbnails/E41E3B4F557E0D72D7CDEF55D9B3AFBF_292_292.jpg

maybe joe will loan the eb some of the power he and the royal entourage are hauling around