VIA Evacuation Train

[NS VIA Fan]

VIA ran an evacuation train last evening on the 150km between Hope and Vancouver with 200 aboard. It used the Canadian set stuck in Vancouver and a joint effort of VIA, CN and BC Emergency Management.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/evacuation-train-departs-hope-b-c-bound-for-vancouver-with-200-passengers-1.6253392

 

[Fenu S]

So interesting! Thanks for sharing. However I found something odd here. This article states that VIA Rail cancelled the #2 Canadian on November 15. However, the trackers were showing #2 moving on time. I do wish VIA had an alert system like the Amtrak twitter accounts.

https://www.netnewsledger.com/2021/11/18/bc-flood-impact-on-infrastructure-will-be-huge/

 

[Urban Sky]

So interesting! Thanks for sharing. However I found something odd here. This article states that VIA Rail cancelled the #2 Canadian on November 15. However, the trackers were showing #2 moving on time. I do wish VIA had an alert system like the Amtrak twitter accounts.

https://www.netnewsledger.com/2021/11/18/bc-flood-impact-on-infrastructure-will-be-huge/

Train #2 which was scheduled to depart on November 15 and Train #1 which left Toronto on November 14 were both cancelled west of Toronto Winnipeg, as you can see here:

https://reservia.viarail.ca/tsi/Get...siTrainNumber=1-&TrainInstanceDate=2021-11-18https://reservia.viarail.ca/tsi/Get...siTrainNumber=2-&TrainInstanceDate=2021-11-18
Edit: "West of Winnipeg", not: Toronto!

 

[Seaboard92]

I'm curious what the consist was for the evacuation train. I can't imagine they dragged the whole Canadian set to Hope. For 150 passengers I would assume they just grabbed whatever coaches they had on hand.

I've been saying for years we should be using trains for evacuations everywhere. I know in my southern state in hurricane territory we have to cancel schools across the state even areas 200 miles from the coast so we can use their school busses. If we could use the equipment Amtrak would normally run on our routes we could easily stop using school busses from the mountains for the coast.

 

[TinCan782]

I'm curious what the consist was for the evacuation train. I can't imagine they dragged the whole Canadian set to Hope. For 150 passengers I would assume they just grabbed whatever coaches they had on hand.

I've been saying for years we should be using trains for evacuations everywhere. I know in my southern state in hurricane territory we have to cancel schools across the state even areas 200 miles from the coast so we can use their school busses. If we could use the equipment Amtrak would normally run on our routes we could easily stop using school busses from the mountains for the coast.

Wasn't there discussion regarding Katrina and why wasn't Amtrak used for evacuations? IIRC, they moved their equipment out of town - empty!

 

[Night Ranger]

Wasn't there discussion regarding Katrina and why wasn't Amtrak used for evacuations? IIRC, they moved their equipment out of town - empty!

Your recall is correct. Amtrak moved a lot of equipment further north into Mississippi to escape the storm. I remember a feature story about it on the national news and the reporter asking why the equipment wasn't used for evacuating people too.

 

[NS VIA Fan]

I'm curious what the consist was for the evacuation train. I can't imagine they dragged the whole Canadian set to Hope. For 150 passengers I would assume they just grabbed whatever coaches they had on hand.

I've been saying for years we should be using trains for evacuations everywhere. I know in my southern state in hurricane territory we have to cancel schools across the state even areas 200 miles from the coast so we can use their school busses. If we could use the equipment Amtrak would normally run on our routes we could easily stop using school busses from the mountains for the coast.

It was the entire Canadian consist that that in Vancouver. CBC news coverage showed the Park Car backing into Pacific Central Station when the train returned from Hope last evening. Also interviews with passengers and some station interior shots.

 

[Willbridge]

Your recall is correct. Amtrak moved a lot of equipment further north into Mississippi to escape the storm. I remember a feature story about it on the national news and the reporter asking why the equipment wasn't used for evacuating people too.

There was a video of some shuttle runs that were made to Hammond or Lafayette. The story goes that they were ordered from Washington, DC to stop doing it.

September 2, 2005 10:30 PM EDT
Department of Transportation Arranges for Amtrak to Begin Evacuating Residents from New Orleans Starting Tonight
Passenger trains will join the growing number of buses and aircraft being used to evacuate residents from New Orleans starting as early as midnight tonight, Friday, September 2, Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta announced today. The special twelve-car Amtrak passenger train is heading to New Orleans from Baton Rouge and should arrive in the city to begin loading passengers later in the evening, the Secretary added.

The train is expected to arrive at the Avondale Rail Yard, on the south side of the Mississippi River at approximately 11 p.m. (CDT) and will be able to carry 600 passengers. Buses belonging to the New Orleans Regional Transit Administration will transport residents from the city to the rail yard where they will be provided with water, MREs and a train ride out of the city, Mineta said.

“We have clear tracks and an empty train ready to help get residents safely out of the city,” said Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta. “Amtrak gives us yet another way to help move people so we can get the job done as quickly, comfortably and reliably as possible.”

The Department arranged for water and MREs to be loaded onto the train before it left for New Orleans and is arranging for more food and water to be distributed to passengers in Lafayette, Louisiana where the train will stop. In Lafayette, passengers will transfer to motor coaches that will complete the journey to Dallas, Texas, and other nearby states.

In addition to tonight’s expected run, the Department is working with Amtrak to operate two more train runs out of New Orleans’ Avondale Rail Yard on Saturday, September 3rd. By Monday, Amtrak will have two trains in place, which will allow for a total of four runs that day. The trains will continue operating beyond that time for as long as needed, the Secretary added.

The Secretary noted that the Department has been working with Amtrak, the American Association of Railroads, major freight operators and other federal agencies including the Department’s Office of the Inspector General to arrange for the routing, supplies and security to be made available for the train evacuation.

https://www.disastercenter.com/Depa...ts.html#Department_of_Transportation_Arranges
Here's what was put together, whether used or not:

Equipment in Lafayette, LA for service when required:
Set 1 (Superliner): 3 Engines, 1 bag, 6 coaches, 3 lounges, 2 diners
Set 2 (Horizon): 2 Engines, 1 bag, 5 coaches, 1 food service car

Employee Support Set: 1 Engine, 1 Sleeper, 1 Diner

Equipment in Hammond, LA to support CN employees: 1 Engine, 2 Sleepers

 

[jpakala]

I recall way back with Hurricane Katrina seeing an Amtrak special evacuation train from New Orleans to Houston. Some people stayed in TX ultimately.

 

[Willbridge]

I recall way back with Hurricane Katrina seeing an Amtrak special evacuation train from New Orleans to Houston. Some people stayed in TX ultimately.

Yes. I found internet information on the Houston train. It's another reminder of why the Sunset should do better, given the strong links with New Orleans even before Katrina.

 

[NS VIA Fan]

There's been some details posted in various railfan forums on the operation of the evacuation train. This was the 'Canadian' consist in Vancouver that had been ready to depart east on Nov. 15. Upon reaching Hope.....passengers were accommodated in three coaches. The train also stopped at Chilliwack and Abbotsford on the way back to Vancouver

As the locomotives were running nose to tail..... not back to back and not even a siding available to run the power around the consist......the train had to back-up with the Park Car leading for nearly 50 miles from Hope to Matsqui where the train could be wyed on CP's Mission Bridge and Page Subs before heading forward again to Vancouver.

Here its backing into Pacific Central Station (as the Canadian usually does)....ready to depart east then things reopen! (scroll down for video)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/evacuation-train-hope-1.6253392