Passenger Trains > Empire Builder #7 Chicago today--question

So my poor brother, who never travels by train but wanted an adventure with his autistic son, was scheduled from Cincy on the Cardinal today toward Chicago and Glacier.  Needless to say, the WV flooding messed that up.  They left from Indy on a motley combination of equipment, but ok.

Now, 45 minutes after departure time, the Builder is still a no show.  The staff in the Metropolitan Lounge told everyone that "once the equipment gets in, we will turn it fast.  The delay will be at least 30 minutes."  Clearly more than that...

My belief was that yesterday's #8 arrival in Chicago was today's #7.  That is the only way it could work.  So there is no equipment to wait on to turn.  Yesterday's #8 got in just over an hour late.

Anyone know what gives?  I would like to advise him.  Poor kid.

Why does staff insist on lying to passengers? Tell them the real situation, good or bad and there will normally be understand. As long as they now what's really going on. Airlines are famous for this line of b.s. as well.

The front line staff, does not always get good infro from the back stage folks.  After all, they do not have to face the public.

Exactly.

They were just told that "engineering" cannot tell us yet when you will get to leave.  "They need another 30 minutes.  We will call them again at 3:30 and update you."

It sounds like the station staff want to help, but the usual Chicago situation exists out in the yard.

Sounds like a potential bad order car to me.


andersonb109 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why does staff insist on lying to passengers? Tell
> them the real situation, good or bad and there
> will normally be understand. As long as they now
> what's really going on. Airlines are famous for
> this line of b.s. as well.

Chessie1963 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Exactly.
>
> They were just told that "engineering" cannot tell
> us yet when you will get to leave.  "They need
> another 30 minutes.  We will call them again at
> 3:30 and update you."
>
> It sounds like the station staff want to help, but
> the usual Chicago situation exists out in the
> yard.
>
> Sounds like a potential bad order car to me.
>
>
> andersonb109 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Why does staff insist on lying to passengers?
> Tell
> > them the real situation, good or bad and there
> > will normally be understand. As long as they
> now
> > what's really going on. Airlines are famous for
> > this line of b.s. as well.

I hoped your Brother is in sleeping Cars going that far.

Yes, he is.

railcity Wrote:
>
> I hoped your Brother is in sleeping Cars going
> that far.

The train is in the station.  Hope they have a good trip west!

More if and when it develops (and it probably will!).

Todays EB Builder isn't even to CHI yet so that couldn't be.

Seth-
 

Air brake leak on locomotive 837 caused the 120 minute delay.