Southwest Chief discussion Q4 2023 - 2024

[zephyr17]

I did wonder why I've seen only two sleepers on the Southwest Chief #3 the last two nights. Is this also the case for train #4?

Why on earth would Amtrak do this if there continues to be demand for as much sleeper space as possible?

By the way, what is "AT?"

Yes, whatever is on 3 will be on 4, they're the same consists running different directions.

There is no plumbing the minds of Amtrak equipment planners. Hopefully when the sleeper was withdrawn at least they didn't boot out any passengers with reserved space as the geniuses did a wholesale for months across multiple trains a couple years ago. With that said, they are still short of equipment.

AT is Auto Train. The apple of executive management's eye, right next to the NEC.

 

[Cal]

Seems a bit early to go to the AT...the "season" is still month's away...

Well that's where they went according to the consist manager at Amtrak, per the article that told us of this change a few weeks (months?) ago.

 

[alanh]

#3 stops at Winslow after ABQ, so I'm confused about the timeline here.

#4 waited for #3 in ABQ. One of #3's engines was switched to #4, which left with it and a BNSF engine.

#3 went to Winslow with a single engine. A BNSF engine was added there.

 

[Palmland]

Trying to mentally escape a week of rain and humidity in Florida, I scanned some photos from a January 2007 trip on the SWC. That was an unusually bad winter and ranchers lost a lot of livestock. The crystal clear skies seemed to accentuate the cold. And yes I opened the window in the door to get the photo.

The freight you see was between Raton and Glorietta. If my memory is correct it was from the intermodal terminal in Albuquerque and contained many UPS trailers. It was waiting patiently in the siding. I also see that the configuration of the SSL appears to have changed over the years. And finally I certainly liked LA terminal without the various roped off areas it now has.

 

[Cal]

Trying to mentally escape a week of rain and humidity in Florida, I scanned some photos from a January 2007 trip on the SWC. That was an unusually bad winter and ranchers lost a lot of livestock. The crystal clear skies seemed to accentuate the cold. And yes I opened the window in the door to get the photo.

The freight you see was between Raton and Glorietta. If my memory is correct it was from the intermodal terminal in Albuquerque and contained many UPS trailers. It was waiting patiently in the siding. I also see that the configuration of the SSL appears to have changed over the years. And finally I certainly liked LA terminal without the various roped off areas it now has.

Awesome photos. The older quality adds to the aesthetic.

 

[Rasputin]

I understand that due to heavy snow in the Raton Pass area, No. 4 is being turned at Albuquerque today and will be returning to LA, and No. 3 is being turned at La Junta and will be returning to Chicago.

Corrections and additional information would be welcome.

 

[Steve4031]

What a crap show. Passengers can get out of Albuquerque. But getting out of La Junta is impossible.

 

[Keith1951]

I understand that due to heavy snow in the Raton Pass area, No. 4 is being turned at Albuquerque today and will be returning to LA, and No. 3 is being turned at La Junta and will be returning to Chicago.

Corrections and additional information would be welcome.

Will the passengers have the option of getting off to catch a flight to continue to their destination or stay on train to go back...or will the passengers be able to get a complete refund?

 

[Steve4031]

Dumping passengers at La Junta leaves them with no way of getting anywhere. There are no rental car places and no airport. At the minimum, Amtrak should allow them to remain on the train back to their original destination.

How long is the snowstorm going to last? A day? Then, maybe the train should be held until the storm clears, and then it should continue from Albuquerque and La Junta and proceed as usual.

 

[Rasputin]

Dumping passengers at La Junta leaves them with no way of getting anywhere. There are no rental car places and no airport. At the minimum, Amtrak should allow them to remain on the train back to their original destination.

How long is the snowstorm going to last? A day? Then, maybe the train should be held until the storm clears, and then it should continue from Albuquerque and La Junta and proceed as usual.

I believe passengers were allowed to remain on the trains as they returned to their stations of origin. The trains were turned but not terminated at Albuquerque and La Junta.

My understanding is that Las Vegas was expected to receive about 30 inches of snow over three days. Corrections would be welcome.

 

[Steve4031]

I checked the weather reports. Blizzard conditions. I understhe reasoning behind not sending the trains through. I wonder how long it would take to open the line up. Its not a key route like donner pass.

 

[Palmland]

Probably a good decision. Looks like I-25 is closed and Google does a roundabout routing on state roads. No chance of a bus bridge.

 

[tgstubbs1]

From what I remember them saying on TV, Trinidad could get up to three feet until the storm passes on Saturday.
I don't know if there is much freight traffic through Raton Pass, so I wonder when Amtrak will resume the SWC.