Passenger Trains > Tough times for 5 and 6 in Nevada and California.

#5 is turning at Reno for a second day because of the washout in the Sierra. WB passengers were to be bused to Sacramento via US 50 as I-80 is closed due to blizzard conditions. Just heard that the buses have been turned back south of Reno and will be heading EAST on I-80 to get around a high wind closure on 395 South. Very rough weather and a very long day for passengers.

Can they just run the service Chicago - Denver or Chicago - SLC ?

carsoncity Wrote:
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> #5 is turning at Reno for a second day because of
> the washout in the Sierra. WB passengers were to
> be bused to Sacramento via US 50 as I-80 is
> closed due to blizzard conditions. Just heard that
> the buses have been turned back south of Reno and
> will be heading EAST on I-80 to get around a high
> wind closure on 395 South. Very rough weather and
> a very long day for passengers.

SR 70 is open

> SR 70 is open

Amazingly, but with chain controls over Beckwourth Pass.

Update: As of 1:15 PST the buses (4) have made it to South Lake Tahoe after chaining up just west of Carson City. Everyone is taking a break at the Hard Rock Hotel Casino. Heavy snow is falling with the toughest conditions ahead.

joemvcnj Wrote:
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> Can they just run the service Chicago - Denver or
> Chicago - SLC ?

Why say that each time something like this happens!

Posted from Android

joemvcnj Wrote:
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> Can they just run the service Chicago - Denver or
> Chicago - SLC ?

Nothing wrong with the current Chicago - Reno service given the circumstances.

carsoncity Wrote:
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> Update: As of 1:15 PST the buses (4) have made it
> to South Lake Tahoe after chaining up just west of
> Carson City. Everyone is taking a break at the
> Hard Rock Hotel Casino. Heavy snow is
> falling with the toughest conditions ahead.

Why is Amtrak Busing people in Very Bad Road condition??

THAT is a good question, railcity...
Have seen "bustitution" annulled many times over the years-- this looks like a perfect storm and pray that it works out.



railcity Wrote:
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> carsoncity Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Update: As of 1:15 PST the buses (4) have made
> it
> > to South Lake Tahoe after chaining up just west
> of
> > Carson City. Everyone is taking a break at the
> > Hard Rock Hotel Casino. Heavy snow is
> > falling with the toughest conditions ahead.
>
> Why is Amtrak Busing people in Very Bad Road
> condition??

There appears to be no information for prospective passengers on Amtrak's website regarding 5 and 6.

Meanwhile, Interstate 80, closed by a mudslide at about the same time that rail traffic was disrupted, was quickly reopened in less than 24 hours by efficient Caltrans crews.  It remains subject to periodic closure during heavy snow storms.

The less-efficient UP is still thinking about what to do about the Donner Pass route, apparently.

It may be best to limit one's rail travel to times of better weather.

Interstate 80 has been closed all day due to snow and high winds. The buses are now waiting for US 50 over the summit to reopen (avalanche control).
​Tickets on #6 east out of Reno this afternoon are available.

joemvcnj Wrote:
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> Can they just run the service Chicago - Denver or
> Chicago - SLC ?

The #5 annulled at Reno this morning was turned and departed east from Reno this afternoon on time as #6

Passengers off this morning's #5 at Reno never made it to their destinations. After several hours stuck in unmoving traffic in near blizzard conditions a few miles west of South Lake Tahoe, the buses have turned back. Amtrak is putting them up in a Stateline hotel.

Spend some time and a few bucks in Tahoe.

Better than battling the snow in a bus

carsoncity Wrote:
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> Passengers off this morning's #5 at Reno never
> made it to their destinations. After several hours
> stuck in unmoving traffic in near blizzard
> conditions a few miles west of South Lake Tahoe,
> the buses have turned back. Unknown where they'll
> end up.

Amtrak should have know better putting these bus on the road in Blizzard Conditions. I alot people on bus have W** Dream in pants maybe.

Donner apparently is reopening.  Those who suggested a Feather River Canyon detour for Amtrak can now know
why it wasn't possible:

UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD
Severe Winter Weather Causing Delays in Western Region
Announcement Number: CN2017-2
1-10-2017

To Our Customers,

Active weather alerts for heavy snow, rain, ice and wind continue across the Western Region. Additional moisture from the Pacific will push across the region through Friday morning, affecting Northern California across the Sierras, the Cascades south of Portland, Oregon and the Blue Mountain corridor from Portland to Pocatello, Idaho. We anticipate one to two feet of snow across the Oregon Cascades and Blue Mountain ranges, while the Sierra Nevada mountain range will see two to four feet of snow.

Right-of-way inspections continue across the region and required resources have been identified to respond to incidents as reported and confirmed. Customers may expect delays up to 24-48 hours for shipments moving across the affected area, as well as between Portland south into Northern California.

Service Interruptions

Operations are currently suspended in the Feather River Canyon near Portola, California and west of Winnemucca, Nevada due to washouts, with some traffic being rerouted around the affected locations. Repairs are expected to be completed over the next 96 hours. Alternate routes remain open over Donner Pass.

We have also experienced multiple service interruptions on our Pacific Northwest route in Eastern Oregon, Idaho and Wyoming, which have impacted through-service between Portland and Chicago. Local service for customers in our Portland, Pocatello and Salt Lake service units has also been impacted by these service interruptions.

 

8 trains went over donner yesterday, it has been open

dan Wrote:
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> 8 trains went over donner yesterday, it has been
> open

thanks

The clearing was done with flangers and 'dozers?