Here We Go Again...

[Agent]

The California Zephyr has been rerouted again over the Union Pacific between Chicago and Omaha due to BNSF's continued bridge replacement project at Burlington, Iowa. Today's #5 is detouring right now. Tomorrow, both #6 and #5 will take the detour.

 

[RRUserious]

This matters because?

 

[Steve4031]

This matters because?

It matters because many of us are interested. We are railfans after all. We like to know about detours, delays, and other oddities. Thanks op.

 

[jebr]

Plus people may be traveling these routes and hadn't found out yet.

 

[user 1215]

This matters because?

Dude, because that's exactly what this forum is about:

Discuss Amtrak, our country's national intercity passenger railroad.

 

[Agent]

Thank you to those who defended this topic's relevancy. Here's Amtrak #6 speeding through Ames, Iowa at 9:47 a.m. This is the earliest I've seen an Amtrak detour in Ames. Amtrak says #6 left Omaha at 5:56 a.m.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLbfE4v7ajI

Fun Fact (for those who'd like one): The California Zephyr

at this crossing this week.

 

[RRUserious]

So trains detouring are big news? I mean, when the EB stopped going west because of flooding, that was what I consider NEWS. A detour? As long as you can still take this train to whatever destination, I still have to wonder at the magnitude involved. Aren't detours pretty routine?

 

[trainman74]

So trains detouring are big news? I mean, when the EB stopped going west because of flooding, that was what I consider NEWS. A detour? As long as you can still take this train to whatever destination, I still have to wonder at the magnitude involved. Aren't detours pretty routine?

No, this particular detour probably isn't big news, but this forum isn't even limited to "news," much less things that would be considered "big news." As VentureForth said, it's for general discussion of Amtrak, with no limit on how "important" the topics are supposed to be.

There are a number of active moderators on the site who will move or lock topics as necessary if they don't fit the rules of the board; other than that, you are free to not click on threads that look as if they may not interest you.

 

[The Chief]

Agent, thanks for posting the vid, and OP — exactly the type of topic inquiring minds of this Forum want to know.

That's cool that the UP SD70 is on the lead of EB Zephyr, ahead of two P-42s. Is that common on CZ Iowa detour, rather than just a pilot in the Amtrak cab?

<<edit: cx direction>>

 

[RRUserious]

So trains detouring are big news? I mean, when the EB stopped going west because of flooding, that was what I consider NEWS. A detour? As long as you can still take this train to whatever destination, I still have to wonder at the magnitude involved. Aren't detours pretty routine?

No, this particular detour probably isn't big news, but this forum isn't even limited to "news," much less things that would be considered "big news." As VentureForth said, it's for general discussion of Amtrak, with no limit on how "important" the topics are supposed to be.

There are a number of active moderators on the site who will move or lock topics as necessary if they don't fit the rules of the board; other than that, you are free to not click on threads that look as if they may not interest you.

It was the "here we go again" thread title that seemed to imply some sort of dramatic announcement. Then I start reading and it is a total anticlimax. "Train route taking detour". Made me nearly snicker. Maybe the OP could just use sort of bland words in the title. "Here we go again" is fitting for the latest TSA outrage.

 

[George Harris]

Agent, thanks for posting the vid, and OP — exactly the type of topic inquiring minds of this Forum want to know.

That's cool that the UP SD70 is on the lead of WB Zephyr, ahead of two P-42s. Is that common on CZ Iowa detour, rather than just a pilot in the Amtrak cab?

I think it is necessited by the ex C&NW ATC system used on this line. Amtrak engines may not be equipped with the necessary hardware.

 

[Ryan]

Agent, thanks for posting the vid, and OP — exactly the type of topic inquiring minds of this Forum want to know.

That's cool that the UP SD70 is on the lead of WB Zephyr, ahead of two P-42s. Is that common on CZ Iowa detour, rather than just a pilot in the Amtrak cab?

Yes, as the UP has a cab signaling scheme that isn't present in the P42s so you'll always see one of their locomotives on the point.

It was the "here we go again" thread title that seemed to imply some sort of dramatic announcement. Then I start reading and it is a total anticlimax.

Oh, no! You were disappointed about the content of a thread, what are we to do? Seriously, "here we go again" means the exact opposite of what you interpret it to mean. "Again", as in "this isn't the first time this has happened".

 

[Agent]

Agent, thanks for posting the vid, and OP — exactly the type of topic inquiring minds of this Forum want to know.

That's cool that the UP SD70 is on the lead of WB Zephyr, ahead of two P-42s. Is that common on CZ Iowa detour, rather than just a pilot in the Amtrak cab?

You're welcome, and thank you too. I should have noted, it is the eastbound (EB) Zephyr in the video.

 

[FERD]

Agent, thanks for posting the vid, and OP — exactly the type of topic inquiring minds of this Forum want to know.

That's cool that the UP SD70 is on the lead of WB Zephyr, ahead of two P-42s. Is that common on CZ Iowa detour, rather than just a pilot in the Amtrak cab?

You're welcome, and thank you too. I should have noted, it is the eastbound (EB) Zephyr in the video.

Thank you for the video and info, do we know the locomotive number of the westbound so we can follow it on the radio? Thanks Got a good video of the eastbound in Creston, IL

 

[Agent]

Thank you for the video and info, do we know the locomotive number of the westbound so we can follow it on the radio? Thanks Got a good video of the eastbound in Creston, IL

Sorry, I'm afraid I don't find out the number of the engines until I see it myself (and sometimes not even then). I would love to see your video if you're willing to share it with us.

 

[the_traveler]

So trains detouring are big news? I mean, when the EB stopped going west because of flooding, that was what I consider NEWS. A detour? As long as you can still take this train to whatever destination, I still have to wonder at the magnitude involved. Aren't detours pretty routine?

No, detours are not that common. And some of us here on AU plan trips based on detours, if known ahead of time!

A few years ago, during one of the Tehachipai (sp?) Loop detours, I had made plans to use an AGR award to ride. I live on the east coast (in RI) and this was in CA. As it turned out, I had to cancel the trip due to flooding along the routes to and from the west coast!

 

[zepherdude]

Thank you to those who defended this topic's relevancy. Here's Amtrak #6 speeding through Ames, Iowa at 9:47 a.m. This is the earliest I've seen an Amtrak detour in Ames. Amtrak says #6 left Omaha at 5:56 a.m.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLbfE4v7ajI

Fun Fact (for those who'd like one): The California Zephyr

Agent, what do you have with you, a scanner? I am hearing operations person in the background making identification of the train and ??

 

[Agent]

Agent, what do you have with you, a scanner? I am hearing operations person in the background making identification of the train and ??

I do have a scanner, but the voice you hear coming from it is not a person. It's an automated defect detector before the crossing. It first goes off for the front of the train at the 0:13 second mark. Then it gives its actual report after the whole train has passed at 0:37. I suppose it takes a little time to process the data.

 

[jebr]

Thank you to those who defended this topic's relevancy. Here's Amtrak #6 speeding through Ames, Iowa at 9:47 a.m. This is the earliest I've seen an Amtrak detour in Ames. Amtrak says #6 left Omaha at 5:56 a.m.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLbfE4v7ajI

Fun Fact (for those who'd like one): The California Zephyr

How does one get to ride on that special passenger train? Just curious.

 

[RRUserious]

So trains detouring are big news? I mean, when the EB stopped going west because of flooding, that was what I consider NEWS. A detour? As long as you can still take this train to whatever destination, I still have to wonder at the magnitude involved. Aren't detours pretty routine?

No, detours are not that common. And some of us here on AU plan trips based on detours, if known ahead of time!

A few years ago, during one of the Tehachipai (sp?) Loop detours, I had made plans to use an AGR award to ride. I live on the east coast (in RI) and this was in CA. As it turned out, I had to cancel the trip due to flooding along the routes to and from the west coast!

I had to take the bus for my planned trip because EB wasn't running when I wanted to go. Didn't particularly enjoy that trip, but it was because I found that Greyhound had sold routes east of Bozeman or Billings to other companies, and those companies seemed to lack the slightest clue how to transport people. If I have to ride the buses of those companies, I just won't go. Or I'll rent a car. I'm not sure I want to do the EB route anymore anyway. Most of it is pretty dull between Chicago and Seattle. The Rockies and the Columbia Gorge (if you go to PDX) are worth riding through, but not much else.

 

[Agent]

Here's the westbound Amtrak #5 coming through Ames at about 9:40 last night. Looks like the dining car was still open, or at least still had people in it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p25MzS8fOg

The Zephyr is out of sight after the first minute or so, but those that know their special Union Pacific engines might be interested in the engine leading the container train that shows up.

 

[The Davy Crockett]

Agent, Thanks for sharing! :hi:

Very enjoyable.

 

[Henry Kisor]

This topic is perhaps more important than at first might appear. The other day I was chatting with Sandi, the Amtrak agent at Glenwood Springs, about the upcoming e-book edition of my 1994 book "Zephyr," and I asked why passenger traffic at GSC had not increased between 1991-2, when I traveled for that book, and today. I'd thought it was because No. 25 had been eliminated from No. 5, and because Amtrak has no extra cars to handle increased traffic, but Sandi said the real reason was constant delays and service interruptions. That seems to help keep demand down.

 

[K. Sterling]

Henry, I've got a copy of your book I'm planning to bring with me when I take my family (including 4 kids ages 9 to 17) on the CZ June 1 Sacto to CHI. Then a couple days in CHI before taking the City of New Orleans to Memphis (where we get off for one day) and then on to NOLA (and then we have to fly home due to limited vacation time...). I've cheated and started to read a bit of it before we leave...and am enjoying it very much. Thanks!!!

My wife and I couldn't be more pleased about the trip we've planned for the family (including her mom). Everyone who hears our plans thinks it will be a marvelous adventure. We have 4 of the small sleeper roomettes reserved for the 7 of us and are expecting quite an adventure. We took the kids from SF to Seattle and back a few years ago (no sleepers) and had a great time. This should be even better. We're a bit disappointed about the detour...but doubt it will do anything significant to damper our fun.

 

[winterskigirl]

I've noticed that "travel alerts" are posted on the AMTRAK website now when detours are known. 3 years ago I took my father on the CZ and we had no prior travel alert that our eastbound train would be diverted up through Wyoming. UP was doing track work at the time apparently and we missed the entire trip between Salt Lake and Denver. Crap happens