Southwest Chief discussion Q4 2023 - 2024

[Cal]

I think service disruptions are also more like when the actual service of the train is disrupted, meaning a station may have to be bypassed or the train will just truncate earlier. Mechanical and trespasser strikes rarely, if ever, are classified as service disruptions unless it closes the line and therefore causes the train to be cancelled or stop early.

 

[alanh]

Another unlucky run for the Chief. 3(08) is running 5 hours late due to engine problems in La Junta, a disabled freight west of Raton, and police activity in Las Vegas.

So I guess BNSF really is running freights on the Raton sub again.

 

[Septa9739]

So I guess BNSF really is running freights on the Raton sub again.

Inconvenient as that was yesterday, I think that is a good thing for the long term viability of the Chief on the current routing.

 

[Rasputin]

It appears, based on information on other lists, that the return of freight service over Raton Pass is incorrect.

Apparently Amtrak locomotive 22 failed and was removed from No. 3 at La Junta and a BNSF locomotive was added. Then the BNSF locomotive failed at Raton and another BNSF locomotive was sent from La Junta.

So no freight train over Raton Pass, just a failing BNSF locomotive. Corrections would be welcome.

 

[alanh]

Thanks for the clarification, that makes sense. Currently 12 hours late and not to LAUPT yet.

Another engine failure on 3(09) at Kansas City.

 

[Cal]

Another engine failure on 3(09) at Kansas City.

The P42s are really hanging on by a thread it seems.

 

[GariYaMoshi]

It appears, based on information on other lists, that the return of freight service over Raton Pass is incorrect.

Apparently Amtrak locomotive 22 failed and was removed from No. 3 at La Junta and a BNSF locomotive was added. Then the BNSF locomotive failed at Raton and another BNSF locomotive was sent from La Junta.

So no freight train over Raton Pass, just a failing BNSF locomotive. Corrections would be welcome.

We were on 4(8) that was put on the siding for an hour, waiting for 3 to pass. There were no freight trains that passed before it and we saw no freights at all.

Given how bad the rail ride was in that area, I thought we would rock right off the track. Guessing that the freight carriers don't want to sink money into track that they aren't running on.

 

[Cal]

Only somewhat related to the Chief, but not sure where else to put it. Mods can move if necessary. Essentially just a little rant.

Today I was at LAUPT when #4 came in. As I've done dozens of times for any train that comes into Union Station for years, I walked up to see the engines up close (not much longer we'll see exclusively P42s). Unfortunately one of the contracted station employees didn't let me since I would "interfere with the train crew." I just want to point out that 784 (a very full Surfliner) and 4 were boarding from the same platform tonight, and the platform behind me was PACKED with carts, passengers, and employees. Alternatively, the space up by #4's engines had maybe 3 employees, there wasn't even a baggage cart there, so I feel like her reasoning lacked substance. I didn't argue, of course, but it was just annoying. One of the things I general love about LA Union is that they allow passengers to stay on the platform whenever and don't restrict boarding like they do in many other major stations. I really hope this doesn't become normal.

Also just today I saw station services interfere with service more than I've ever seen passengers, as a service cart was using and blocking the only open Business Class car, and the crew took 15 minutes to get another one open, leading to about 7 passengers being very confused.