Jan 2016 NEC/East Blizzard (was How does Amtrak handle snowstorms?)

[afigg]

With regards to the blizzard, I live in Northern Virginia, NW of DC. Got somewhere between 25" to 30" of snow; hard to tell exactly how much because the wind pushed the snow into deep drifts. Nasty wind gusts yesterday and last night leading to near white out conditions as I was trying to shovel my driveway. I've seen my share of Nor'easter blizzards over decades of living in the Mid-Atlantic region and for a few years in Massachusetts. From the single data point of my driveway & house, this was possibly the most snowfall and worse blizzard I have been in. I think it dumped even more snow here than Snowmagedon in 2010.

It will likely take days for travel to get fully back to normal in the entire region.

 

[edjbox]

Looks like the southbound Vermonter yesterday terminated in Philadelphia and the northbound one originated from there. Also Empire Service 250 was cancelled today

 

[edjbox]

How was the ridership for Sunday?

 

[Bex]

How was the ridership for Sunday?

Most of the NEC trains were cancelled. The one I was rebooked on in the evening was packed, I assume because it had all the passengers from the cancelled trains as well.

 

[Triley]

How was the ridership for Sunday?

Most of the NEC trains were cancelled. The one I was rebooked on in the evening was packed, I assume because it had all the passengers from the cancelled trains as well.

We only had two Regionals running from Boston to DC yesterday, and I know the first one was nearing sold out by the time it got to Providence, and almost the entire trip down the corridor.

 

[west point]

Triley;;; So how many cars ( seats ) ? One or two motors ?

 

[Triley]

I don't work for operations, I'm part of onboard service, so I generally don't pay much attention to train length. 163 was the normal arrangement I believe... 1 Business Class, 1 Quiet Car, 1 Coach, 1 Cafe, and then 4 coaches. I was surprised they didn't add an extra coach. 135 was the only other train I boarded, and they were only going to Philly, and I didn't see the passenger load, nor did I even glance at how many coaches.

One ACS64 on both of them.

 

[west point]

Glad to hear that the ACS - 64s were able to maintain schedule despite the powder snow !!!

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

Overall it looks like Amtrak handled WS Jonas MUCH better than NJT or the LIRR!

 

[Train2104]

Overall it looks like Amtrak handled WS Jonas MUCH better than NJT or the LIRR!

Because Amtrak is interstate (so it doesn't have to answer to a governor) and the only reason they suspend service is because it's unsafe or impossible to provide service, not to encourage people to stay home.

 

[CHamilton]

La Crosse singers foil monster storm to perform in Carnegie Hall

http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/la-crosse-singers-foil-monster-storm-to-perform-in-carnegie/article_e59d2c51-9a65-582e-90a5-aad4d8264406.html

Five members canceled because of the delay, but another chorale member checked the Amtrak schedule out of Chicago and determined that a train would leave for New York City at 9:35 p.m. So the others flew to Chicago, hopped the subway to Union Station and caught Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited for a 21-hour train ride to the Empire State, Rusterholz said.