The effect of the potential rail strike on Amtrak

[TinCan782]

What about California?. Especially for Commuter RRs. Its complicated there. example-- UP runs by the San Jose station and runs parallel to the Cal Train track for some distance,

In SoCal, Metrolink (SCRRA) owns and dispatches a lot of track that Amtrak runs on. UP and BNSF also have trackage rights on some Metrolink lines.
Of course, Metrolink and Amtrak also run on UP and BNSF tracks here.

 

[Palmland]

Do the unions want a congressionally imposed mandate to end the strike as that would end any attempt to negotiate a settlement that meets there demands.

If not, I would think they would avoid any interference with Amtrak trains in the NEC or anywhere Amtrak crews go on duty, controls/maintains the tracks, and provide their own dispatching. Doing so would quickly increase the public pressure on Congress to act.

In my part of the country it’ll be interesting to see what happens to Brightline.

 

[zephyr17]

What about California?. Especially for Commuter RRs. Its complicated there. example-- UP runs by the San Jose station and runs parallel to the Cal Train track for some distance,

Probably simpler than you think.

For Amtrak, pretty much nothing can run. It is BNSF from CP Soto to Fullerton Jct for the Surfliners and from CP Soto on for the SW Chief and UP north of CP Los Posas in Moorpark, so that let's out the Surfliners, the SW Chief and the Starlight. Up north, it is UP from CP Coast in Santa Clara on. So nothing can run, not the Capitol Corridor on UP, nor the San Joaquins on UP and BNSF.

With regard to commuters, Metrolink won't be able to run anything except the Ventura Line as far as Moorpark and the line out to Lancaster, as those are wholly SCRRA owned. They won't be able to run anything south or east as those lines have large sections on BNSF and UP. The Coasters will probably be okay as that line is all NCTD owned.

Up north, CalTrain can run SF-San Jose as that is all PJPB owned. They can't run to Gilroy as that is UP owned. ACE is all on UP except the last little bit into San Jose. I don't think ACE crews are unionized, so don't have to respect picket lines, but they have to have UP dispatching.

The dominant factor is likely ownership and dispatching. I doubt trackage rights will be a factor. The freight railroads have trackage rights over pretty much every inch of commuter agency owned rail in California.

 

[Mystic River Dragon]

Any word on alternative plans from any commuter rails?

I’m wondering if some would change to buses during a strike where feasible.

 

[TinCan782]

Any word on alternative plans from any commuter rails?

I’m wondering if some would change to buses during a strike where feasible.

Suprisingly, haven't seen anything from Southern California's Metrolink.

 

[amtrakp42]

I would think that wherever the freight railroads dispatch Amtrak or anyone else, there would be no train traffic?

 

[dlagrua]

If the freight railroads control the track, and the switching, a strike could be devastating to service, I can't see how any LD passenger trains can operate. On the NE Corridor there shouln't be any negative effects as Amtrak owns the track, and ROW.

 

[Dutchrailnut]

Any track Amtrak owns may or may not be effected by a potential strike. it all depends are Amtrak emplyees honoring strike due to safety of possible actions even on NEC , who dispatches such Amtrak line since trains can not run without dispatch , some Commuter agencies own and dispatch so those are not affected , like Metro-North and some NJT lines , not very up un rest of country on who is who .

 

[Squad1-1]

Amtrak is closely monitoring and preparing for a potential freight railroad shut down by freight railroad hosts, as many Amtrak trains operate over rail lines owned and dispatched by these railroads.
In the event of a freight shutdown, Amtrak intends to continue to operate the services that use tracks that Amtrak owns, or tracks that are owned by a party not involved in the contract negotiations. These services include:
• Northeast Corridor (Washington-Boston-Springfield)
• Empire Service (New York-Albany)
• Keystone Corridor (New York-Harrisburg)
• Hartford Line (New Haven-Springfield)

As a result, many Amtrak trains outside of the Northeast Corridor may be canceled or terminate early; this includes all Long Distance and most State-Supported routes. Amtrak will begin reaching out to potentially impacted customers on September 12, 2022, informing them of the situation.

 

[joelkfla]

My trip starts 9/26 on the Star. I do hope things are ironed out by then.

 

[niemi24s]

My trip starts 9/24 on the LSL. I don't much care one way or the other. If the train's cancelled it's $465 to $625 cheaper to fly the two of us from BOS to MKE!

 

[Trogdor]

Amtrak also owns the tracks in Michigan up to Porter, IN, if I understand correctly. While they couldn't run trains into Chicago, could they continue to run trains from Pontiac to, say, Kalamazoo?

Amtrak only controls (through Michigan DOT ownership) from ~Dearborn (I don’t know if the Dearborn station is in their territory or not) to east of Battle Creek, then west of Battle Creek to Porter. From Dearborn to West Detroit is Conrail Shared Assets, then CN from West Detroit to Pontiac. CN controls the trackage at Battle Creek Station and a half mile to a mile or so in either direction. So, at best, you could run Dearborn (maybe Ann Arbor?) to Jackson and Kalamazoo to New Buffalo. Hardly worth it.

 

[user 14106]

My trip starts 9/24 on the LSL. I don't much care one way or the other. If the train's cancelled it's $465 to $625 cheaper to fly from BOS to MKE!

I am assuming flying coach is that much cheaper than an Amtrak sleeper is what you checked? Amtrak’s coach fare seems to be quite reasonable for those who may be willing to endure the overnight trip in coach - I personally wouldn’t but still In fairness it isn’t bad. I suspect there are veryfew city pairs where Amtrak sleepers are neck and neck cost competitive to airline coach - particularly with low cost carriers like SWA.

 

[PaTrainFan]

My trip begins 9/21 (too close for comfort from the start of the strike when a settlement is or might be made or imposed) and includes rail links of PIT to MSP, SEA to PDX and PDX to MSP with air links from MSP to SEA and MSP back to PIT. All of my rail is with points. I really want to make this trip so I'll end up forking out a lot of new money for air fares and hotels to make it work. That is even if there is availability. Sitting on pins and needles right now.

 

[Willbridge]

In regard to the conflicts with shared facilities, property access, etc. those many issues are usually settled by individual legal actions. That, of course, can consume a lot of time and treasure. I've worked through three big strikes as a contractor or management employee. In one strike every nit-picking detail was challenged by one side or the other and it led to the loss of a lot of jobs and at least one death. In the other two, common-sense accommodations were made.

 

[John819]

Since Amtrak needs to have all its equipment at their "home base" (excluding the NEC and adjacent routes owned and dispatched by Amtrak or non-affected rail) before the strike deadline I would expect to see LD cancellations starting tomorrow. Definitely Amtrak should not anticipate a negotiated settlement or Congressional action averting a strike at this point.

 

[amy1277]

I’m supposedly leaving on Friday (9/16) KIN-KIS. My guess is the first leg to NYP will be fine, but Silver Star will be affected. I’ll keep everyone posted here if/when I receive cancellation notice!

 

[PaTrainFan]

If a strike occurs we can expect Amtrak to follow past practice and furlough half the staff and then find themselves needing to rebuild the workforce, with additional massive major cancecllations of service after resolution. I say that somewhat sarcastically but with every joke there is a grain of truth. Being serious for a moment, even if they don't do layoffs for a short strike it will be a major effort to remobilize when it is settled.

 

[thully]

Amtrak is closely monitoring and preparing for a potential freight railroad shut down by freight railroad hosts, as many Amtrak trains operate over rail lines owned and dispatched by these railroads.
In the event of a freight shutdown, Amtrak intends to continue to operate the services that use tracks that Amtrak owns, or tracks that are owned by a party not involved in the contract negotiations. These services include:
• Northeast Corridor (Washington-Boston-Springfield)
• Empire Service (New York-Albany)
• Keystone Corridor (New York-Harrisburg)
• Hartford Line (New Haven-Springfield)

As a result, many Amtrak trains outside of the Northeast Corridor may be canceled or terminate early; this includes all Long Distance and most State-Supported routes. Amtrak will begin reaching out to potentially impacted customers on September 12, 2022, informing them of the situation.

Where was this posted? I’m booked on the Southwest Chief 9/24, and hoping this doesn’t extend to then. This is the second time this year a rail strike has threatened to impact my plans - was planning to book the Canadian right when VIA voted to strike. Thankfully they settled quickly without any cancellations - have a flight booked as a backup option this time, but hoping to take the train. Wondering when cancellations would start and how long it would take to resume services after a settlement…

 

[niemi24s]

I am assuming flying coach is that much cheaper than an Amtrak sleeper is what you checked?

The fare differences quoted were for two seniors in coach from BOS to ALB, in a Roomette from ALB to CHI, in coach from CHI to MKE versus SWA's Anytime and Wanna Get Away fares.

For coach all the way on both, Amtrak is $85 (48%) more than SWA's cheapest fare for two seniors.

 

[user 14106]

I'm on 91 on 10/7 so I'm on pins and needles also - though certainly not as much as some here with even closer plans.

 

[joelkfla]

Article in today's Washington Post, focusing largely on political ramifications (unlocked) --

https://wapo.st/3ByENWO

 

[lrh442]

Amtrak is closely monitoring and preparing for a potential freight railroad shut down by freight railroad hosts, as many Amtrak trains operate over rail lines owned and dispatched by these railroads.
In the event of a freight shutdown, Amtrak intends to continue to operate the services that use tracks that Amtrak owns, or tracks that are owned by a party not involved in the contract negotiations. These services include:
• Northeast Corridor (Washington-Boston-Springfield)
• Empire Service (New York-Albany)
• Keystone Corridor (New York-Harrisburg)
• Hartford Line (New Haven-Springfield)

As a result, many Amtrak trains outside of the Northeast Corridor may be canceled or terminate early; this includes all Long Distance and most State-Supported routes. Amtrak will begin reaching out to potentially impacted customers on September 12, 2022, informing them of the situation.

Squad, what is your source for this info? From what I've read elsewhere Amtrak crafts are unlikely to cross picket lines.

I do not expect any Amtrak or commuter operations to continue in the event of a strike. Just too many unknowns and potential for operational problems to do otherwise.

If Amtrak views this as they would a winter storm, they will want all trains in their home bases by 12:01am on 09/16/2022. This likely means no western LD departures after Tuesday. If a strike does occur, even briefly, the freight network will likely be gridlocked for at least a few days and Amtrak may choose to continue annulments until the network is more fluid and timekeeping can be more reliable.

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

The fare differences quoted were for two seniors in coach from BOS to ALB, in a Roomette from ALB to CHI, in coach from CHI to MKE versus SWA's Anytime and Wanna Get Away fares.

For coach all the way on both, Amtrak is $85 (48%) more than SWA's cheapest fare for two seniors.

Of course the WN lowest fares usually have a long advance booking requirement.

 

[thully]

No idea as to why both trains were cancelled. Thinking it must be strike-related, though you’d think that wouldn’t be an issue until Wednesday’s departures.

Edit: since the Zephyr is cancelled on the same days, definitely seems strike-related…