Passenger Trains > Flood damage to CSX could snarl Amtrak Florida service

The caution exhibited by CSX and Amtrak in cancelling train
operations due to historic levels of rain, and not from the
now-forgotten Hurricane Joaquin, was sadly justified:

> CSX Customer Advisory - CSX Operations Delayed in Mid-Atlantic
> States
>
> October 5, 2015
>
> CSX is recovering from historic levels of rain over the weekend in
> the Carolinas. Several branch lines and at least two major lines have
> been impacted by flooding and downed trees. CSX crews are working to
> restore normal operations but the risk of additional rain and
> flooding continues. While Amtrak has suspended passenger operations
> between Richmond and Jacksonville, freight continues to move in most
> areas although somewhat slowed by the conditions. Some local
> customers in the region may not be able to be served until all tracks
> are restored to service. As always, our main priority is the safety
> of our employees and the needs of our customers. The CSX Customer
> Service team is available 24/7 to field any questions should
> customers need more details. Customers with questions about shipments
> can contact the Customer Service Center via www.shipcsx.com or by
> calling 1-877-ShipCSX (1-877-744-7279). Customers can sign up on
> ShipCSX to automatically receive service advisory notifications.


That doesn't tell the whole story, though.

There is now a report of major damage to a CSX bridge north of
Charleston SC on the former Atlantic Coast Line, used by the
Silver Meteor, Palmetto and Auto Train.

Repair estimates range up to a few weeks but nobody will be sure
until the waters recede. If true, Amtrak could be out of
service for a while, as the alternate route, used by the Silver
Star, is closed to through traffic due to washouts, though once
those are fixed it could be used for a detour. However, with
all its freight traffic funneling through that line, is CSX
going to WANT Amtrak on it? Is Amtrak going to want the hours
of delays that will inevitably result?  With that level of traffic on a
detour route, forget about passenger train priority.

LINK:

Storm of Biblical proportions in Southeast fouling Amtrak service



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 10/05/15 21:59 by GenePoon.

This would give Amtrak alot of time is Repair alot  cars need to fix and Deep clean each car??
?

To be expected with all forms of fixed guideway travel.

railcity Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This would give Amtrak alot of time is Repair
> alot  cars need to fix and Deep clean each car??
> ?

they need money to do that RC ... it has to be funded and budgeted ... the money is already setup.and budgeted for other things ...

Meh, the trains will probably go the route of the Florida extension of the Sunset Limited.  Bad weather destroys infrastructure, trains canceled, the freight comes back, the passengers do not.

I say that tongue in cheek, but...

So they can puff up consists on the Capitol Ltd, Catdinal, Crescent and Lake Shore while all the Florida trains are idled.
Make lemon-aide from lemons.

The lemons were reported covered in fecal materials...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/27/lemon-germs-wedges-restaurants_n_4659168.html

GenePoon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There is now a report of major damage to a CSX
> bridge north of
> Charleston SC on the former Atlantic Coast Line,
> used by the
> Silver Meteor, Palmetto and Auto Train.

CSX has two lines north of Charleston - ex SAL and ex-ACL.  Are both damaged?

Can Amtrak detour Columbia to Charlotte and use the NS for through trains?

Both lines have received some damage, but the worst damage appears to be on the former ACL/CSX I-95 Corridor line.

Columbia, Charleston, and Andrews subs are currently out of service. They don't quite know the extent of the damage on the A-Line until the water recedes to where they can reach the Black River bridge south of Kingstree. As of this morning they weren't sure if it was still there or not because the river is now flowing over the bridge and they can't get to it or see it.

Posted from iPhone

Tim Rich
S. Ogden, UT



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/06/15 10:59 by TrainChaser.

Yeah, doubtful that Amtrak would let go of Auto Train, ever.  Even more doubtful the Meteor. Possibly the Star, but even it is a big revenue train for them.
Plus CSX likes all that guvmint cash they get to keep The A-Line up to passenger specs.

Danny Harmon
Tampa

Chessie1963 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Meh, the trains will probably go the route of the
> Florida extension of the Sunset Limited.  Bad
> weather destroys infrastructure, trains canceled,
> the freight comes back, the passengers do not.
>
> I say that tongue in cheek, but...

http://www.amtrak.com/css/images/logo_popup.gifhttp://www.amtrak.com/css/images/btn_printPopup.gifhttp://www.amtrak.com/css/images/btn_close_short.gifAmtrak Suspension of Some Services Along the Southeast ContinuesWeather impacting some trains operating between Florida and New York City Oct. 6, 2015
11:15 a.m. ETDue to weather conditions still impacting railroad operations in the Southeast, Amtrak continues to suspend some services along the East Coast for today, Oct. 6, and Wednesday, Oct. 7.Palmetto Trains 89 & 90 (Savannah, Ga. - New York City) is canceled. Silver Star Trains 91 & 92 (New York City - Miami) is suspended between New York City and Jacksonville, Fla. Silver Meteor Trains 97 & 98 is canceled.Auto Train 52 & 53 (Lorton, Va., - Sanford, Fla.) is canceled. This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant.Passengers with travel plans can confirm their train's status, change their plans or review refund information using a range of tools – including Amtrak.com, smartphone apps or by calling 800-USA-RAIL. Service Alerts, Passenger Notices and other announcements are posted at Amtrak.com/alerts.Follow @Amtrak on Twitter. .alert_hor_gray {
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Does the line that Amtrak will divert to run through Hamlet and Cheraw to Columbia?

that would be the S line, yes, if in fact that's how it works out.

joemvcnj Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So they can puff up consists on the Capitol Ltd,
> Catdinal, Crescent and Lake Shore while all the
> Florida trains are idled.
> Make lemon-aide from lemons.

Capitol? Puff up a Superliner consist with single level cars? Theoretically possible. Practically unlikely.

CSX Customer Advisory - CSX Rail Line in South Carolina Impacted by Flooding

October 7, 2015

CSX operations in South Carolina continue to be impacted by recent flooding. The line between Charleston, S.C. and Florence, S.C. is flooded near Kingstree, S.C., with water levels slowly receding. Customers with freight traveling across this line should expect delays of 24 to 48 hours. Traffic scheduled through this area is being re-routed and other lines are being restored as quickly as possible to allow service to local customers.  

As conditions in the area gradually improve, rail infrastructure in some locations could be as long as a week before being fully restored. CSX continues to closely monitor operations to ensure normal train operations resume as soon as possible.

The CSX Customer Service team is available 24/7 to field any questions should customers need more details. Customers with questions about shipments can contact the Customer Service Center via www.shipcsx.com or by calling 1-877-ShipCSX (1-877-744-7279). Customers can sign up on ShipCSX to automatically receive service advisory notifications.