Hurricane Harvey Texas Impacts

[Thirdrail7]

Just saw the SW Chief on the LaPlata Cam http://www.railcams.net/#sthash.VsY5vYfg.dpbs

It had what looks to be 10 extra cars and 4 locomotives, I guess the SL consist.

Maybe this?

Sunset Limited Equip. Moving to Albuquerque, NM

https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,4368842

it was the equipment that was mentioned earlier in the thread. It came from NOL and is taking the scenic route to LAX. Contrary to the TO thread, it is not going to ABQ nor is it going to Barstow,

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Just saw the SW Chief on the LaPlata Cam http://www.railcams.net/#sthash.VsY5vYfg.dpbs

It had what looks to be 10 extra cars and 4 locomotives, I guess the SL consist.

Maybe this?Sunset Limited Equip. Moving to Albuquerque, NM

https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,4368842

it was the equipment that was mentioned earlier in the thread. It came from NOL and is taking the scenic route to LAX. Contrary to the TO thread, it is not going to ABQ nor is it going to Barstow,

If it was taking the scenic route it would have bee on the CZ and CS. :giggle:

 

[Palmetto]

It even looks like the SL tracks are right next to the Arkema plant that is just waiting to explode. Not sure how much damage a massive chemical explosion would do to tracks, but little seems to be going right for this area right now.

News reports are saying the plant has, in fact, exploded. Details right now are sketchy.

 

[TinCan782]

Just saw the SW Chief on the LaPlata Cam http://www.railcams.net/#sthash.VsY5vYfg.dpbs

It had what looks to be 10 extra cars and 4 locomotives, I guess the SL consist.

Maybe this?

Sunset Limited Equip. Moving to Albuquerque, NM

https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,4368842

it was the equipment that was mentioned earlier in the thread. It came from NOL and is taking the scenic route to LAX. Contrary to the TO thread, it is not going to ABQ nor is it going to Barstow,

Yea, ABQ seemed a little strange. Going through ABQ yes, continuing to LA makes sense. The Barstow comment was really weird.

 

[Don Newcomb]

I'm pretty sure the full TE route eventually comes back. Anybody want to make a wager on the SAS-NOL portion of the SL route coming back?

After Amtrak ditched the SL east of NOL after Katrina, I'm not taking any bets.

News reports are saying the plant has, in fact, exploded. Details right now are sketchy.

Yes. This seems to have happened last night. Apparently, nothing massive. Everyone had been evacuated for over a mile around the plant. Some deputies were sent to the hospital for smoke inhalation and released. The smoke and fumes are a non-toxic lung irritant. Why they had not been issued gas masks, I have no clue.

 

[frequentflyer]

Back when there was a big push to get the SL daily, some wanted the SL to continue to Chicago and stub train from SAS to NOL. I got a feeling Amtrak may take advantage of the situation and make the LAX-SAS the Texas Eagle extension three days a week and no more switching costs. My question, if that happens how many consists does that release?

 

[jis]

So, both the major airports reopened at 4pm on Wednesday 8/30/17, with very limited commercial service. Service will slowly be ramped up at IAH until they are back to about 80% of normal by Monday, is apparently the current plan.

United does not plan to get upto 100% until September 19. Southwest does not plan to fly anything until Saturday out of HOU.

 

[Thirdrail7]

Just saw the SW Chief on the LaPlata Cam http://www.railcams.net/#sthash.VsY5vYfg.dpbs

It had what looks to be 10 extra cars and 4 locomotives, I guess the SL consist.

Maybe this?

Sunset Limited Equip. Moving to Albuquerque, NM

https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,4368842

it was the equipment that was mentioned earlier in the thread. It came from NOL and is taking the scenic route to LAX. Contrary to the TO thread, it is not going to ABQ nor is it going to Barstow,

Yea, ABQ seemed a little strange. Going through ABQ yes, continuing to LA makes sense. The Barstow comment was really weird.

Actually, there was nothing strange about it and the BAR comment was part of an evolving plan. This is one of the things that operations people consider that people on the outside think makes little sense.

The current length of this train makes an arrival at LAX problematic. It will block other tracks and interfere with other trains. As such, they were going to cut the rear deadhead cars at ABQ and run it separately to LAX. The host was reluctant to add another train on the congested route. As such, there was a plan to cut the cars at BAR and have them forward to LAX later.

In the time that the posters at TO made their post, the plan had been altered. The train will continue past BAR and a freight crew from some yard outside of LAX will grab them.

BTW, there are 100s of freight trains in limbo.

 

[TinCan782]

Just saw the SW Chief on the LaPlata Cam http://www.railcams.net/#sthash.VsY5vYfg.dpbs

It had what looks to be 10 extra cars and 4 locomotives, I guess the SL consist.

Maybe this?

Sunset Limited Equip. Moving to Albuquerque, NM

https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,4368842

it was the equipment that was mentioned earlier in the thread. It came from NOL and is taking the scenic route to LAX. Contrary to the TO thread, it is not going to ABQ nor is it going to Barstow,

Yea, ABQ seemed a little strange. Going through ABQ yes, continuing to LA makes sense. The Barstow comment was really weird.

Actually, there was nothing strange about it and the BAR comment was part of an evolving plan. This is one of the things that operations people consider that people on the outside think makes little sense.

The current length of this train makes an arrival at LAX problematic. It will block other tracks and interfere with other trains. As such, they were going to cut the rear deadhead cars at ABQ and run it separately to LAX. The host was reluctant to add another train on the congested route. As such, there was a plan to cut the cars at BAR and have them forward to LAX later.

In the time that the posters at TO made their post, the plan had been altered. The train will continue past BAR and a freight crew from some yard outside of LAX will grab them.

BTW, there are 100s of freight trains in limbo.

I hadn't considered the train length and LAUS. Barstow would certainly have room but a yard closer to LA makes more sense as a location to cut off the "extras". Thanks.

 

[jis]

So currently it looks like 421/422 gets restored fully, as does 21/22. 1/2 is short turned at San Antonio until further notice, with no service between San Antonio and New Orleans for the time being. Is that an accurate summary?

 

[Metra Electric Rider]

I just saw that limited bus, light rail and trash service (wonder if the dumps are flooded) has restarted in Houston today.

Yeah, the stranded freight cars must be a huge headache.

With all the cars disabled or destroyed during the hurricane it seems as if now would be a good time for more rail service, but of course, if trains can't get through, that's pointless (and it sounds like there will be problems for a while).

 

[jis]

One of the early uses of the reopened Bush Intercontinental apparently is to fly in relief supplies on the largest planes with the biggest cargo lift capacity that they can lay their hands on - in this case 777-300ERs.

https://twitter.com/united/status/902673252597846018

 

[west point]

NOL - SAS freight traffic will probably be rerouted how ? One way would be some ELP - FTW on T&P route but the lack of sidings limits that unless a lot of fleeting is performed/ Then on to BTR - NOL on UP ( MP) .

 

[west point]

Relief supplies to Houston Intercontinental will be limited to ground support equipment. US air force C-5s, C-130s, & C-9s are self contained and can deliver to forward locations easily. Now the cargo lifts, power carts, air start compressors ( 2 needed for the large motored commercial cargo planes ), tow vehicles, container carts, other ground support equipment may be damaged or destroyed. That will require some equipment to be brought in from other locations to service the equipment.

 

[jis]

Relief supplies to Houston Intercontinental will be limited to ground support equipment. US air force C-5s, C-130s, & C-9s are self contained and can deliver to forward locations easily. Now the cargo lifts, power carts, air start compressors ( 2 needed for the large motored commercial cargo planes ), tow vehicles, container carts, other ground support equipment may be damaged or destroyed. That will require some equipment to be brought in from other locations to service the equipment.

According to FAA nothing was damaged or destroyed at IAH. Indeed United stabled close to 20 planes at IAH. So no, no ground equipment needs to be brought in, and no limitations due to unavailability of ground equipment or facilities. Also road access to IAH is more or less unhindered now. I have no idea where people are getting these weird ideas about damage to the airport.

 

[Don Newcomb]

..... I have no idea where people are getting these weird ideas about damage to the airport.

I saw a photo on Facebook showing planes under water. It was on Facebook. It has to be true.

 

[Bob Dylan]

So currently it looks like 421/422 gets restored fully, as does 21/22. 1/2 is short turned at San Antonio until further notice, with no service between San Antonio and New Orleans for the time being. Is that an accurate summary?

You are correct Sir!

 

[jis]

..... I have no idea where people are getting these weird ideas about damage to the airport.

I saw a photo on Facebook showing planes under water. It was on Facebook. It has to be true.

A Photoshopped photo of La Guardia Airport no less. Many ignorant people took the statement associated with it regarding an airport with code HOS hook line and sinker. As Yoda would say "Fascinating it was".

 

[Metra Electric Rider]

..... I have no idea where people are getting these weird ideas about damage to the airport.

I saw a photo on Facebook showing planes under water. It was on Facebook. It has to be true.

A Photoshopped photo of La Guardia Airport no less. Many ignorant people took the statement associated with it regarding an airport with code HOS hook line and sinker. As Yoda would say "Fascinating it was".

Because the hilly Queens landscape and Manhattan skyline are just like pancake flat Houston and it's skyline?

 

[bmjhagen9426]

So currently it looks like 421/422 gets restored fully, as does 21/22. 1/2 is short turned at San Antonio until further notice, with no service between San Antonio and New Orleans for the time being. Is that an accurate summary?

You are correct Sir!

The reason for 1/2 short turns at SAS is because the host trackage are in limbo.

 

[bmjhagen9426]

Be careful, as there is another hurricane brewing in the middle of the Atlantic. Currently, there's no knowing where the storm is going, though. Hope I don't get stranded in the American Southwest (Nevada/SoCal) on my way back.

Source: http://mashable.com/2017/08/31/hurricane-irma-intensifying-looms-in-atlantic/?utm_cid=mash-com-fb-science-link#m2OorOS0Vaq9

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Be careful, as there is another hurricane brewing in the middle of the Atlantic. Currently, there's no knowing where the storm is going, though. Hope I don't get stranded in the American Southwest (Nevada/SoCal) on my way back.

Source: http://mashable.com/2017/08/31/hurricane-irma-intensifying-looms-in-atlantic/?utm_cid=mash-com-fb-science-link#m2OorOS0Vaq9

For the southwest you need to worry about monsoon season and Pacific hurricanes, not Atlantic hurricanes.

 

[Rover]

Be careful, as there is another hurricane brewing in the middle of the Atlantic. Currently, there's no knowing where the storm is going, though. Hope I don't get stranded in the American Southwest (Nevada/SoCal) on my way back.

Source: http://mashable.com/2017/08/31/hurricane-irma-intensifying-looms-in-atlantic/?utm_cid=mash-com-fb-science-link#m2OorOS0Vaq9

The weatherman said that a cold front moving down into Texas next week, could keep any Hurricanes from entering Texas.

Houston ISD has now been rescheduled to open Sept. 11th. That assumes all schools will be ready from any flood damage and the clean up afterward.

I think most of Houston Light Rail is suspended until further notice.

 

[Seaboard92]

I was going to say for a hurricane to make it to the southwest we all would have larger problems then which Amtrak is cancelled. As that would be a monster of a storm.

 

[daybeers]

I think bmjhagen meant getting stuck in the American Southwest because flights to other destinations in the country, namely along the East Coast, might be cancelled due to the upcoming storm.