Why was the Empire Builder SD'd yesterday?

[Green Maned Lion]

Anyone know?

 

[Rafi]

Anyone know?

BNSF closed the route between Havre and Whitefish due to avalanche concerns. Here's the story:

Amtrak resumes Montana service after snow delay(The Associated Press circulated the following on February 4.)

HELENA, Mont. — Amtrak operations between Havre and Whitefish resumed Monday after shutting down over the weekend due to concerns over possible avalanches.

BNSF Railway spokesman Gus Melonas said the railroad made the decision to disallow operations on that stretch Friday because of heavy snow. Empire Builder passengers were bused between the two towns.

BNSF completed a risk assessment Monday and determined conditions had improved enough to resume operations, but crews will continue to monitor the weather and snow conditions. Freight trains continued to use the rails over the weekend.

Melonas said BNSF has equipment operating around in the clock in the Essex area to remove snow from the tracks and ensure continued service.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

Anyone know?

BNSF closed the route between Havre and Whitefish due to avalanche concerns. Here's the story:

Amtrak resumes Montana service after snow delay(The Associated Press circulated the following on February 4.)

HELENA, Mont. — Amtrak operations between Havre and Whitefish resumed Monday after shutting down over the weekend due to concerns over possible avalanches.

BNSF Railway spokesman Gus Melonas said the railroad made the decision to disallow operations on that stretch Friday because of heavy snow. Empire Builder passengers were bused between the two towns.

BNSF completed a risk assessment Monday and determined conditions had improved enough to resume operations, but crews will continue to monitor the weather and snow conditions. Freight trains continued to use the rails over the weekend.

Melonas said BNSF has equipment operating around in the clock in the Essex area to remove snow from the tracks and ensure continued service.

Why does the freight keep going while Amtrak stops?

 

[MrFSS]

Why does the freight keep going while Amtrak stops?

Because there aren't any passengers in the freight cars?

 

[BobWeaver]

Anyone know?

BNSF closed the route between Havre and Whitefish due to avalanche concerns. Here's the story:

Amtrak resumes Montana service after snow delay(The Associated Press circulated the following on February 4.)

HELENA, Mont. — Amtrak operations between Havre and Whitefish resumed Monday after shutting down over the weekend due to concerns over possible avalanches.

BNSF Railway spokesman Gus Melonas said the railroad made the decision to disallow operations on that stretch Friday because of heavy snow. Empire Builder passengers were bused between the two towns.

BNSF completed a risk assessment Monday and determined conditions had improved enough to resume operations, but crews will continue to monitor the weather and snow conditions. Freight trains continued to use the rails over the weekend.

Melonas said BNSF has equipment operating around in the clock in the Essex area to remove snow from the tracks and ensure continued service.

Why does the freight keep going while Amtrak stops?

I'd venture to say that it's because there would be lives on the line, many more lives than a 2-man crew for a freight.

 

[PRR 60]

[Why does the freight keep going while Amtrak stops?

It didn't. BNSF closed the line to all traffic, passenger and freight, until the avalanche threat was removed. BNSF is just as concerned for the lives of it's crew as for Amtrak passengers. One life at risk is too many.

 

[Kramerica]

[Why does the freight keep going while Amtrak stops?

It didn't. BNSF closed the line to all traffic, passenger and freight, until the avalanche threat was removed. BNSF is just as concerned for the lives of it's crew as for Amtrak passengers. One life at risk is too many.

But the AP release had the following information:

BNSF completed a risk assessment Monday and determined conditions had improved enough to resume operations, but crews will continue to monitor the weather and snow conditions. Freight trains continued to use the rails over the weekend.

It appears as though freights did use the route. I presume BobWeaver and MrFSS are correct in their reasons for that.

 

[PRR 60]

Wow. I did not see that. I had heard the line was closed, and I assumed that meant CLOSED. What does that say to the BNSF crews? We don't want to put real people at risk, but with you we'll take some chances? Geez.

 

[George Harris]

It is a lot easier to deal with two presumably agile and heathy idividuals in a train stalled due to an avalanche than with a couple hundred of all ages and states of health. I think they had more of a picture of a train stalled or cut off by the avalanche rather than buried under the snow. I would not see it as lack of concern for the crew. They are better protected that the MOW people that are probably out there trying to keep the tracks usable.

 

[Cascadia]

When there is a mudslide or avalanche, or the threat of one, there is a federal law that says passenger trains can't run in that location for 24 hours (I think) after the threat has passed. It's happened here on the Cascades several times since I've been riding.

Someone who knows more can clarify that policy. I don't know if it applies to other track conditions and repairs other than the threat or occurance of landslides and avalanches.

So yes, after the threat has passed, freight trains will resume using the line before passenger trains will.

All of the above is just my understanding from talking with the crew and station staff.

 

[had8ley]

It is a lot easier to deal with two presumably agile and heathy idividuals in a train stalled due to an avalanche than with a couple hundred of all ages and states of health. I think they had more of a picture of a train stalled or cut off by the avalanche rather than buried under the snow. I would not see it as lack of concern for the crew. They are better protected that the MOW people that are probably out there trying to keep the tracks usable.

Maybe you need to read up on the infamous passenger that stalled in the Donner Pass in the '50's and you would understand why passenger trains receive different treatment. Two man crews can be high railed, and at worst, air lifted out of an avalanched area.