Passenger Trains > What I don't get is......the latest "news" on rerouting 3 & 4

After going through all the responses on this thread: http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,3700385 about the future of #3 and #4 over the northern route, I was surprised by comments on local media in the Albuquerque area just today, that Amtrak is "reconsidering" (ABQ media words) not rerouting 3 & 4 because "Kansas is upgrading their track" (ABQ media words).  After living in NM for more than half a century, I can understand the crap that comes forth from politicians.  Yet, here we have the local media.  Where they got the info is a mystery.  New Mexico sure as hell isn't going to pony up any money on this issue for another year.  So, pray tell, please tell me where the real "truth" may lie.

The Chief is not going anywhere.

The line in New Mexico is very likely to become Amtrak's soon enough, just like what happened to the Post Road.  It will be made part of Central Division, which already has a robust track and signal and B&B department.  In the big pictured, the cost is not that much, and it will become a favorite retirement haunt just like positions in Southern Division in Florida.

Amtrak can't afford the price to move the route.

As you might expect, this story is flawed. First of all, the upgrading of track in KS is irrelevant to whether Amtrak continues operating on the existing route. The Kansas and Colorado segments will still have freight trains. What is missing from the story is that Amtrak has an expiring operating agreement with BNSF. BNSF may elect to NOT allow Amtrak on the Raton line under any circumstances or hold firm to the conditions that it has stated for almost a decade - that Amtrak bear 100% of the costs of keeping the line open between roughly Trinidad and Lamy. Amtrak is unwilling to spend the money for that so we've come back full circle -it's up to the State of NM to appropriate the funds (which they are not going to do).  No need to waste anyone's time further with this thread.

Bob

abyler Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The Chief is not going anywhere.
>
> The line in New Mexico is very likely to become
> Amtrak's soon enough, just like what happened to
> the Post Road.  It will be made part of Central
> Division, which already has a robust track and
> signal and B&B department.  In the big pictured,
> the cost is not that much, and it will become a
> favorite retirement haunt just like positions in
> Southern Division in Florida.
>
> Amtrak can't afford the price to move the route.

The "Post Road" is 15 straight, flat miles. No offense, but what you have written is absurd. April Fool's is next week.

Bob

bnsfbob Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> As you might expect, this story is flawed. First
> of all, the upgrading of track in KS is
> irrelevant to whether Amtrak continues operating
> on the existing route. The Kansas and Colorado
> segments will still have freight trains. What is
> missing from the story is that Amtrak has an
> expiring operating agreement with BNSF. BNSF may
> elect to NOT allow Amtrak on the Raton line under
> any circumstances or hold firm to the conditions
> that it has stated for almost a decade - that
> Amtrak bear 100% of the costs of keeping the line
> open between roughly Trinidad and Lamy. Amtrak is
> unwilling to spend the money for that so we've
> come back full circle -it's up to the State of NM
> to appropriate the funds (which they are not going
> to do).  No need to waste anyone's time further
> with this thread.
>
> Bob


BNSF Bob, are we to assume from your analysis that come 2016 that #3/4 will be discontinued ?
Your opinion would be appreciated.

This is the only recent "news" that Mr Google finds.

http://www.abqjournal.com/560274/abqnewsseeker/advocates-push-train-costsharing-deal.html
  
"By Olivier Uyttebrouck / Journal Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: Thursday, March 26, 2015 at 12:05 am
A small group of advocates of the Southwest Chief train gathered Wednesday at Amtrak’s Albuquerque station to urge New Mexico to support a $4 million a year cost-sharing agreement that would upgrade 636 miles of track from Lamy to eastern Kansas.....
***
 Amtrak, DOT and BNSF did not respond to the Journal’s requests for comment on Wednesday...."

UP951West Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> bnsfbob Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > As you might expect, this story is flawed. First
>
> > of all, the upgrading of track in KS is
> > irrelevant to whether Amtrak continues
> operating
> > on the existing route. The Kansas and Colorado
> > segments will still have freight trains. What is
>
> > missing from the story is that Amtrak has an
> > expiring operating agreement with BNSF. BNSF may
>
> > elect to NOT allow Amtrak on the Raton line
> under
> > any circumstances or hold firm to the
> conditions
> > that it has stated for almost a decade - that
> > Amtrak bear 100% of the costs of keeping the
> line
> > open between roughly Trinidad and Lamy. Amtrak
> is
> > unwilling to spend the money for that so we've
> > come back full circle -it's up to the State of
> NM
> > to appropriate the funds (which they are not
> going
> > to do).  No need to waste anyone's time further
>
> > with this thread.
> >
> > Bob
>
>
> BNSF Bob, are we to assume from your analysis that
> come 2016 that #3/4 will be discontinued ?
> Your opinion would be appreciated.

You didn't read what he said:  you're wasting your time.  In spite of that, I think Mr. Byler's stance on the matter is more plausible.

On my October trip westbound on the Southwest Chief, there seemed to be upgrading - or at least basic maintenance - between Raton and Lamy. Signal system and better drainage systems - or perhaps repairs.....I was fairly surprised that the trip from LaJunta to ABQ was fairly smooth riding, compared to what I thought would be wrought with deferred maintenance.....