Hurricane Ian 2022 (effects on Amtrak)

[John Bobinyec]

So far, train 91(26) will terminate at Jacksonville, Fl.

jb

 

[jis]

There is much larger than usual uncertainty about the path. It will take another day to know for sure where things are going.

 

[John Bobinyec]

As of right now, there's a chance Ian will strike the west side of Florida. Here's a thought: run 91(26) down to Miami, but skip Tampa.

Does anyone have reports of what CSX intends to do?

jb

 

[railiner]

Does anyone have reports of what CSX intends to do?

IIRC, they will sometimes remove crossing gates if a hurricane is anticipated….

 

[jis]

According to current prognostications the storm is going to stall off shore as it enlarges while it loses intensity due to wind shear from the front coming from the north. It will dump copious amounts of rain over central and north Florida. There will be major floods all around.

Additionally Tampa Bay area will get Storm Surge 6' to 12', which will drown a lot of areas, including the Amtrak station, If it comes to pass. I suspect there will not be any service to Tampa for a while, if that happens.

 

[Qapla]

It is possible the path will take it across the state through Jacksonville or Palatka - bummer

 

[McIntyre2K7]

As of right now, there's a chance Ian will strike the west side of Florida. Here's a thought: run 91(26) down to Miami, but skip Tampa.

Does anyone have reports of what CSX intends to do?

jb

AFAIK The City of Tampa has issued mandatory evacuations for Zone A. I know that Uceta Yard is in Zone A and the Tampa Bypass Canal is about 500 meters from the yard. Maybe they move the engines to Winston Yard.

 

[John Bobinyec]

From what I can gather from the reservation system (I haven't seen an official announcement by Amtrak), here are some cancellations:

Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022

52 and 53 Auto Train between Lorton and Sanford.
91 between New York and Miami.
92 between Miami and Jacksonville.

jb

 

[user 31218]

Just got an email that the Silver Star #91 has been canceled. Scheduled to ride it on Wednesday.

 

[JoshP]

Temporary Service Adjustments in Advance of Hurricane Ian
September 26, 2022 05:45 PM ET
As Hurricane Ian approaches Florida, Amtrak is temporarily adjusting service on select routes as a safety precaution for customers and employees.
Monday, September 26, 2022:

• Silver Star train #91—scheduled to depart New York on Mon. Sept. 26—will terminate in Jacksonville, Fla. on Tues. Sept. 27. Service from Jacksonville to Miami on Tues. Sept. 27 is canceled.

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

• Auto Train #52—scheduled to depart Sanford, Fla. on Tues. Sept 27 and arrive in Lorton, Va. on Wed. Sept. 28—is canceled entirely.
• Auto Train #53— scheduled to depart Lorton, Va. on Tues. Sept 27 and arrive in Sanford, Fla. on Wed. Sept. 28—is canceled entirely.
• Silver Star train #91—scheduled to depart New York on Tues. Sept. 27 and arrive in Miami. on Wed. Sept. 28—is canceled entirely.
• Silver Star train #92—is scheduled to depart Miami on Tuesday. Sept. 27—will originate in Jacksonville, Fla. Service from Miami to Jacksonville is canceled.

Wednesday, September 28, 2022:

• Auto Train #52—scheduled to depart Sanford, Fla. on Wed. Sept 28 and arrive in Lorton, Va. on Thurs. Sept. 29—is canceled entirely.
• Auto Train #53—scheduled to depart Lorton, Va. on Wed. Sept 28 and arrive in Sanford, Fla. on Thurs. Sept. 29—is canceled entirely.
• Silver Star train #91—scheduled to depart New York on Wed. Sept. 28 and arrive in Miami. on Thurs. Sept. 29—is canceled entirely.
• Silver Star train #92—scheduled to depart Miami on Wed. Sept. 28 and arrive in New York on Thurs. Sept. 29—is canceled entirely.

Thursday, September 29, 2022:

• Silver Star train #92—scheduled to depart Miami on Thurs. Sept 29 and arrive in New York on Fri. Sept. 30—is canceled entirely.

---

Customers with reservations on trains that are being modified will typically be accommodated on trains with similar departure times or another day. Amtrak will waive additional charges for customers looking to change their reservation during the modified schedule by calling our reservation center at 1-800-USA-RAIL.
The most up-to-date train status is available on Amtrak.com and in the free mobile app.
Follow us on Twitter for real-time service information:

• @AmtrakNECAlerts for service information in the Northeast Corridor (Acela, Northeast Regional and other corridor services).
• @AmtrakAlerts for service information outside the Northeast Corridor.

Subscribe at Amtrak.com/DelayAlerts to receive automated email or text message notifications if Amtrak trains are behind schedule at specific stations.
This information is correct as of the time and date above. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant.

 

[west point]

Thoughts
1. Florida CSX and FEC north of Cocoa [rpbab;y shut due to crossing gate removals.
1a. 2 - 4 foot Storm surge now predicted on Atlantic coast North of Volusia to Georgia Atlahama sound. Also the whole StJohns river from JAX to almost Sanford.
2. IAN track north of Florida will probably foul Silver service CSX track in Georgia and Carolinias maybe Virginia.
3. Crescent and Piedmonts probably cancelled by Sunday? North of CLT?
4. Worse case IAN tracks up Atlantic coast and becomes a baby "Sandy"/
5. Are the New York area rail systems putting their heads in the sand as they did before Sandy approached?

 

[jis]

Here is some info from SunRail regarding storm procedures that would affect Amtrak too

https://sunrail.com/wp-content/uplo...JWD9O--PAHNxVtPPZjcOK6vD53GrSIRHsmIURWCT7_CGE
BTW, at the present time there are no credible models that send it up the coast over the ocean (like Sandy) to New York as a significant storm. But of course that is too far out and things can change.

The Director of NHC was just on TWC and he said that even if it crosses Florida to the Atlantic it will generally be a Tropical Storm on the East Coast. He also said that the model track could shift further east. The important thing is not to worry about the exact position of the track but keep track of the forecast for your area, since much more than just the model track, which is an artificial model construct, goes into producing the full forecast.

Suffice it to say that Georgia and the Carolinas will get copious amounts of rain out of this and it is likely that Amtrak service is likely to get affected in yet to be determined ways.

 

[Joe from PA]

Too bad. Would have been nice to get new rail passengers from canceled flights.

 

[jis]

Tampa Airport is now closed, reopening tentatively at 10am on Sept 29th, subject to change.

Part of the Airport happens to be in evacuation zone A, which has a mandatory evacuation order in place. Amtrak station is also in evacuation zone.

Of course there is no Amtrak service to be had either.

In Orlando SunRail and hence Amtrak has ceased operation in preparation for the storm.

https://sunrail.com/sunrail-service-suspension-tuesday-september-27-2022/

 

[user 14106]

Too bad. Would have been nice to get new rail passengers from canceled flights.

Unfortunately probably no longer possible with the time needed to prep the right of way with the staffing ratios that the railroads have these days.

 

[Arctifox]

It still blows my mind how it is just completely normal and accepted by passengers that an entire train is cancelled because of an issue that only affect a part of the route (like weather or potential (!) rail strikes starting in a few days). It would not necessarily be such a big issue but in many cases that one train is one of very few (or sometimes the only) option(s) of the day to travel ...

 

[AmtrakBlue]

It still blows my mind how it is just completely normal and accepted by passengers that an entire train is cancelled because of an issue that only affect a part of the route (like weather or potential (!) rail strikes starting in a few days). It would not necessarily be such a big issue but in many cases that one train is one of very few (or sometimes the only) option(s) of the day to travel ...

And how do you propose they operate these trains? How many locations can handle turning trains around?

 

[user 14106]

It still blows my mind how it is just completely normal and accepted by passengers that an entire train is cancelled because of an issue that only affect a part of the route (like weather or potential (!) rail strikes starting in a few days). It would not necessarily be such a big issue but in many cases that one train is one of very few (or sometimes the only) option(s) of the day to travel ...

Intra-Florida travel is a significant part of the bread and butter of this train. Unless it could run to Savannah at the least it's probably not worth it given the amount of stations along the Star that are made at reasonable hours that are also served by other services. Even running to Savannah it may not be worth it. Savannah is still served by the Palmetto, and everything north of Cary by the Carolinian. I'd agree if we were canceling the entire Zephyr for weeks due to a problem in Utah as an example but for this situation a significant portion of the ridership is either canceled on account of no Florida or can be easily accommodated on other trains (which in some cases serve the stations at better times than the Star does).

 

[jis]

Intra-Florida travel is a significant part of the bread and butter of this train. Unless it could run to Savannah at the least it's probably not worth it given the amount of stations along the Star that are made at reasonable hours that are also served by other services. Even running to Savannah it may not be worth it.

Running it to Savannah just adds service to four or five more stations, none with spectacular ridership either, and given the storm situation even there it is not clear that even the normal ridership will materialize.

Meanwhile the new revised cone (11am 9/27/22 Advisory 18) has the center running through Orlando and JAX as a Tropical Storm, and just south of Lakeland as Hurricane (Cat 1). It should be out of Florida by Friday evening.

 

[Arctifox]

I cannot evaluate what are the exact reasons for cancelling the whole train - and it might be very well that in this case it's the only option, but this is not the only time it happens, it happens all the time. When there was the threat of the rail strike, trains were cancelled days in advance because they might have ended up still running when the strike was in place. If I plan to take a train for a short ride and it would get cancelled because in 3 days a strike might happen (or not), then I have little understanding for why this means I cannot travel. Earlier this year there was a snow storm in Chicago, so all trains there were cancelled, and I'm sure these cases are not the only ones.

And if there's not enough ridership to justify running a train only parts of the route or if it's operationally not possible, then a replacement bus should be hired by Amtrak to accommodate passengers who are going to those parts of the route that are still safe to operate to.

 

[Qapla]

I live in Florida - at least our family doesn't have to worry about not having bread ... not only can I make my own bread, but I also have two daughters that vend tortillas to grocery stores, so we have a large supply of flour and corn tortillas we can use in place of bread.

We will just have to wait and see what damage is done by Ian to know when Amtrak (and other trains) can resume. Much depends on how much debris blocks the tracks and how much power needs to be restored.

 

[JoshP]

Amtrak just post more updates on more cancellations until Saturday, adding 2 more days to cancel it's services:

Temporary Service Adjustments in Advance of Hurricane Ian
September 27, 2022 04:30 PM ET
As Hurricane Ian approaches Florida, Amtrak is temporarily adjusting service on select routes as a safety precaution for customers and employees.
Wednesday, September 28

• Auto Train #52—scheduled to depart Sanford, Fla. on Wed. Sept 28 and arrive in Lorton, Va. on Thurs. September 29—is canceled entirely.
• Auto Train #53—scheduled to depart Lorton, Va. on Wed. Sept 28 and arrive in Sanford, Fla. on Thurs. September 29—is canceled entirely.
• Silver Star train #91—scheduled to depart New York on Wed. September 28 and arrive in Miami. on Thurs. September 29—is canceled entirely.
• Silver Star train #92—scheduled to depart Miami on Wed. September 28 and arrive in New York on Thurs. September 29—is canceled entirely.

Thursday, September 29

• Auto Train #52—scheduled to depart Sanford, Fla. on Thurs. Sept 29 and arrive in Lorton, Va. on Fri. September 30—is canceled entirely.
• Auto Train #53—scheduled to depart Lorton, Va. on Thurs. Sept 29 and arrive in Sanford, Fla. on Fri. September 30—is canceled entirely.
• Silver Star train #91—scheduled to depart New York on Thurs. September 29 and arrive in Miami. on Fri. September 30—is canceled entirely.
• Silver Star train #92—scheduled to depart Miami on Thurs. Sept 29 and arrive in New York on Fri. September 30—is canceled entirely.

Friday, September 30

• Auto Train #52—scheduled to depart Sanford, Fla. on Fri. September 30 and arrive in Lorton, Va. on Sat. Oct. 1—is canceled entirely.
• Auto Train #53— scheduled to depart Lorton, Va. on Fri. Sept 30 and arrive in Sanford, Fla. on Sat. Oct. 1—is canceled entirely.
• Silver Star train #91—scheduled to depart New York on Fri. September 30 and arrive in Miami. on Sat. Oct. 1—is canceled entirely.
• Silver Star train #92—scheduled to depart Miami on Fri. September 30 and arrive in New York on Sat. Oct. 1—is canceled entirely.

Saturday, October 1

• Silver Star train #92—scheduled to depart Miami on Sat. Oct. 1 and arrive in New York on Sun. Oct. 2—is canceled entirely.

---

Customers with reservations on trains that are being modified will typically be accommodated on trains with similar departure times or another day. Amtrak will waive additional charges for customers looking to change their reservation during the modified schedule by calling our reservation center at 1-800-USA-RAIL.
The most up-to-date train status is available on Amtrak.com and in the free mobile app.
Follow us on Twitter for real-time service information:

• @AmtrakNECAlerts for service information in the Northeast Corridor (Acela, Northeast Regional and other corridor services).
• @AmtrakAlerts for service information outside the Northeast Corridor.

Subscribe at Amtrak.com/DelayAlerts to receive automated email or text message notifications if Amtrak trains are behind schedule at specific stations.
This information is correct as of the time and date above. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant.

 

[Qapla]

Stay safe - we are located inland and north of the storm, so I hope we fare OK - you guys are more in the target area so take all due diligence

For our area - just hope that the surge up the St Johns River does not flood the Amtrak Station in Palatka

 

[Palmland]

For our area - just hope that the surge up the St Johns River does not flood the Amtrak Station in Palatka

And the CSX bridges over the St John’s river south of Palatka and near Sanford.

For a storm that was supposed to hit the Florida panhandle and not the interior, the storm forecasters were certainly fooled. We too just had Volusia county (Deland, Daytona) upgraded (doesn’t seem like that’s the right word) to a Hurricane warning.

 

[pennyk]

MODERATOR NOTE: Please reserve this thread for posts that relate to how Ian will affect Amtrak service. Other posts (including mine) will be moved to the generic weather thread in the AU Lounge. Thank you for your cooperation.

https://www.amtraktrains.com/threads/weather-where-you-are.74625/page-60#post-978424