So many cancellations

[MIrailfan]

Why can't Amtrak run through snow?

 

[MARC Rider]

Amtrak can run through snow quite well, but when the switches freeze up and switches and signals can't operate because of power outages, and the tracks are blocked by freight trains that can't move because there's no legal crews available, then Amtrak can't run.

 

[MIrailfan]

freights need to recall furloughs so they have crews. I see your point though.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

freights need to recall furloughs so they have crews. I see your point though.

Even if they have the extra crews, they might not be able to get to the trains...due to the snow & ice.

 

[MIrailfan]

True.

 

[OBS]

You need to have crews available to repair frozen switches, signal problems etc. They are often limited by weather in being able to access problem areas, if they can even make it to work, due to weather.

 

[Palmetto]

The workforce on railroads has been reduced to such a degree that there are not enough workers left to "get out" to the problem. The whole concept of section gangs went out the window quite a while ago as a way to reduce costs and improve the bottom line.

 

[JoeBas]

It's no longer cost effective to do things right.

 

[IndyLions]

Yet another reason why all transportation infrastructure (including rail infrastructure) should be government owned.

Is it a guarantee the Feds will do everything the right way? Nope.

It’s hardly an apples-apples comparison - but how many Brightline trains are running these days? They certainly got a nice service started when times were good - but at the first sign of trouble - their responsibilities are to their shareholders and not to the public.

Same with the Class I’s. The public responsibilities they do have (prioritizing Amtrak trains) they don’t take seriously in the best of times - let alone when conditions deteriorate.

 

[jis]

It’s hardly an apples-apples comparison - but how many Brightline trains are running these days? They certainly got a nice service started when times were good - but at the first sign of trouble - their responsibilities are to their shareholders and not to the public.

It would be illegal for them to run a service today since they do not have a certified PTC system in place. COVID or no COVID, they would have had to discontinue service for a period once they decided that their original eATC plan was unworkable and that they were going to install I-ETMS. Early in 2020 they were running for a little while under a limited exemption from the FRA which was not going to be extended COVID or no COVID.

But your basic point is valid. Brightline has an exemption from STB so STB cannot force them to operate (also the reason that they won't be interlining with anything that runs an interstate service). Unless FDOT gets on their case they are free to do what they like. But in any case the service to West Palm Beach was always posited as a trial service. The full service was always meant to be once the Orlando extension was completed. So it was carefully crafted as something they may discontinue at any time.

That has always been my main beef about that initial service. It was more marketing than real service. Sort of like those "model" houses one is shown at a new real estate development.

 

[RebelRider]

Why can't Amtrak run through snow?

The cancellations today are less about snow and more about ice. Ice is really nasty business as we witnessed last week. Power outages from downed lines, frozen switches and lots and lots of big and small trees down on the tracks. Power lines can even come down on the tracks. When that happens, you have to wait for an already overwhelmed power company to respond. Can't just chainsaw those out of the way.

Last week, 53 hit some trees last week that took out both ditch lights. No ditch lights = 20 MPH over every road crossing. Fortunately, they were repaired at Richmond, but the weather had hosed up the railroad pretty good by that point. Every train went on the law, crews were scattered all over.

Plus, stuck passengers can quickly alert the whole world via Twitter that Amtrak is holding them against their will, regardless of how remote the train is stranded or why. Less public relations nightmares this way.