It's a Miracle!!

[Bill Haithcoat]

Hopefully this will not be too redundant to the earlier post I opened on the Cresent's punctuality.

For this post, I have checked the end points arrival and departure for the last few days for several other trains and found some astonishing results. I can't really type them all out here but many of you will want to check for yourselves.

The Coast Starlight and LSL are doing quite well!!

The Texas Eagle is doing ok, counting San Antonio as the end point, not mixing it with the Sunset.

The Sunset Limited and the CZ are not doing too badly, at least maybe not quite as bad as they used to be.Need improvement. Too many 5 hourish delays on the CZ, but that beats 8,9,10 or 15 hours late.

Miami Joe has already reported on the Silver service trains in the other post.

Looks like things are really going good. Too bad this did not happen several years ago, (or even the summer travel season just ending) but we are greatful for what we can get.

 

[MrFSS]

Hopefully this will not be too redundant to the earlier post I opened on the Cresent's punctuality.
For this post, I have checked the end points arrival and departure for the last few days for several other trains and found some astonishing results. I can't really type them all out here but many of you will want to check for yourselves.

The Coast Starlight and LSL are doing quite well!!

The Texas Eagle is doing ok, counting San Antonio as the end point, not mixing it with the Sunset.

The Sunset Limited and the CZ are not doing too badly, at least maybe not quite as bad as they used to be.Need improvement. Too many 5 hourish delays on the CZ, but that beats 8,9,10 or 15 hours late.

Miami Joe has already reported on the Silver service trains in the other post.

Looks like things are really going good. Too bad this did not happen several years ago, (or even the summer travel season just ending) but we are greatful for what we can get.

What is the thinking on why, all of a sudden, this is happening???

 

[user 683]

I've been watching the Capital Limited OTP for the past two weeks or so. It appears 29 has been running an average of 75 minutes late into Chicago and that 30 has been running an average of 79 minutes late into Washington.

August 28 - September 12

Train Max Departure Delay Min and Max Arrival Delays Average Average (without min and max)

29 118 -18, 215 75.44 72.44

30 47 8, 132 79.13 80.43

Deimos

Sorry - the table didn't display too well

Train 29 max departure delay: 118 min, max arrival delay: 215 min, average arrival delay 75.44 min

Train 30 max departure delay: 47 min, max arrival delay: 132 min, average arrival delay 79.13 min

Deimos

 

[Bill Haithcoat]

I've been watching the Capital Limited OTP for the past two weeks or so. It appears 29 has been running an average of 75 minutes late into Chicago and that 30 has been running an average of 79 minutes late into Washington.
August 28 - September 12

Train Max Departure Delay Min and Max Arrival Delays Average Average (without min and max)

29 118 -18, 215 75.44 72.44

30 47 8, 132 79.13 80.43

Deimos

Sorry - the table didn't display too well

Train 29 max departure delay: 118 min, max arrival delay: 215 min, average arrival delay 75.44 min

Train 30 max departure delay: 47 min, max arrival delay: 132 min, average arrival delay 79.13 min

Deimos

Does that represent an improvement?

 

[frj1983]

If some trains are showing marked improvement,

I am wondering whether track improvement projects on various railroads have been completed and this might be taking pressure off some of the pinch points? I'm not up on the track projects of the various freight railroads, does anyone know if my surmise might be correct?

 

[Sam Damon]

I am hearing noises (read: rumors) that Senator Patty Murray's language in the Amtrak subsidy legislation concerning late trains is having an effect.

Don't know what kind of effect; but I understand the OTP issue has been raised around The Hill, and some are talking.

Perhaps Rafi, or someone might be able to amplify a bit better here; I'm really too far away from the action to do the checking that's needed in this case.

 

[AlanB]

If some trains are showing marked improvement,
I am wondering whether track improvement projects on various railroads have been completed and this might be taking pressure off some of the pinch points? I'm not up on the track projects of the various freight railroads, does anyone know if my surmise might be correct?

I am hearing noises (read: rumors) that Senator Patty Murray's language in the Amtrak subsidy legislation concerning late trains is having an effect.
Don't know what kind of effect; but I understand the OTP issue has been raised around The Hill, and some are talking.

I suspect that both of you have hit upon reasons that things have suddenly improved this month.

 

[Foodman53]

I've read all the related posts, and had made a like observation. The "Silver Service" trains have been remarkably on time here north of JAX, both north and southbound, since Tropical Storm Ernesto cleared by. I've heard of a lot of track work taking place between Richmond and Jacksonville, primarily on CSX's old "A" line(ex-ACL)....perhaps this has all been done!

Also, the current issue of TRAINS magazine features a story regarding a "come to Jesus" meeting that was had between Amtrak, FRA, and CSX regarding the "Silvers" abyssimal OTP year-to date. It sounds as if CSX had received the old "offer that you can't refuse", and decided to clean up their act! Maybe a little "shaming" in an industry publication helped things along.

Whatever the reason, I'm pleased, and hope it continues!!

From the "Florida Funnel"

Foodman53

 

[JayPea]

I am hearing noises (read: rumors) that Senator Patty Murray's language in the Amtrak subsidy legislation concerning late trains is having an effect.
Don't know what kind of effect; but I understand the OTP issue has been raised around The Hill, and some are talking.

Perhaps Rafi, or someone might be able to amplify a bit better here; I'm really too far away from the action to do the checking that's needed in this case.

Senator Murray is from my home state, Washington, and I have never voted for her. Given her big support of Amtrak and her place as head of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Committee, I may have to rethink my position on that next time she's up for re-election.

 

[user 683]

I've been watching the Capital Limited OTP for the past two weeks or so. It appears 29 has been running an average of 75 minutes late into Chicago and that 30 has been running an average of 79 minutes late into Washington.

August 28 - September 12

Train Max Departure Delay Min and Max Arrival Delays Average Average (without min and max)

29 118 -18, 215 75.44 72.44

30 47 8, 132 79.13 80.43

Deimos

Sorry - the table didn't display too well

Train 29 max departure delay: 118 min, max arrival delay: 215 min, average arrival delay 75.44 min

Train 30 max departure delay: 47 min, max arrival delay: 132 min, average arrival delay 79.13 min

Deimos

Does that represent an improvement?

I don't know if this represents an improvement or if this simply reflects normal OTP. I just thought it was interesting to note the Capital Limited's OTP in relation to the OTP of other trains discussed in this thread.

One thing I have not monitored is the Capital's OTP in relation to CSX and Nortfolk Southern trackage.

Deimos

 

[PRR 60]

Senator Murray is from my home state, Washington, and I have never voted for her. Given her big support of Amtrak and her place as head of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Committee, I may have to rethink my position on that next time she's up for re-election.

To clarify the leadership role, within the Appropriations Committee, Senator Patty Murray is the ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies. The Chairman of that Subcommittee is Christopher Bond of Missouri.

 

[Rafi]

I am hearing noises (read: rumors) that Senator Patty Murray's language in the Amtrak subsidy legislation concerning late trains is having an effect.
Don't know what kind of effect; but I understand the OTP issue has been raised around The Hill, and some are talking.

Perhaps Rafi, or someone might be able to amplify a bit better here; I'm really too far away from the action to do the checking that's needed in this case.

Sam,

I'll do some calling around on Monday. No guarantees that I'll find anything though; this sort of thing is tough to nail down sometimes.

-Rafi

 

[Sam Damon]

Rafi,

All I can do is ask. I don't expect "scoops", "beats", or whatever you want to call them. Any information that you can dig up and are allowed to share on this forum is welcome. Thanks!

 

[Miami Joe]

I assumed Silver Service's OTP improvement was due to trackwork finishing for the summer.

Rumor has it departure times will be changing soon!!!!!!!!!!!

MJ B)

 

[AmtrakWPK]

Any hint as to what kind of change, or just "a change" ??

 

[Miami Joe]

Heard 1st departutre from HIA at 7am, 2nd at 11am.

1st arrival 4pm, 2nd ?

MJ B)

 

[AmtrakWPK]

So 91 perhaps a couple hours earlier and 92 a couple hours later? We may have to get our Fla railpasses again, that would get us a full day in TPA from WPK. Hmmmmm.

 

[mrdisnie]

Heard 1st departutre from HIA at 7am, 2nd at 11am.
1st arrival 4pm, 2nd ?

MJ B)

MiamiJoe,

I am a little confused, i am assuming you mean MIA and if that is the case do you mean the 97 and 98? When you say arrival time at 4 pm does that mean the 91 will arrive at 4 pm in Miami? I am booked on the 91 out of NWK in October any idea when this time change is to go into effect? I have not heard from Amtrak yet, not that I expect to !!!! Any extra information you can help with would be greatly appreciated!!!

As for the OTP i have been checking on arrival times on the 91 and 97 into KIS and i am really suprised by there OTP, they have been arriving real close to schedule and in all the years i have been taking Amtrak to KIS i have never seen such good OTP before, i have my fingers crossed that what ever the reason it keeps going like it is!!!

AS i have said above any info about schedule changes would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

MrDisnie

 

[DaveKCMO]

9/16 SWC KCY-CHI: 1 hour late (20 min. late into KC)

9/17 SWC CHI-KCY: exactly on time!

 

[capltd29]

I really hope someone find a large tree to knock on with a sledge hammer