Passenger Trains > Service between Chicago & Minneapolis/St Paul

Can someone tell me if Amtrak trains are on time, within reason, running from Chicago to Minneapolis/St Paul; and return? It use to be that trains west of the Mississippi were almost never on time, has that scenario changed any?

Trains 7 and 8 are among the better performers for long-distance trains. Since 7 originates in Chicago, its performance is likely to be a bit better the #8s, which is arrving in Minneapolis from the West Coast.

Dave

I have to agree with DavidP. In checking the Amtrak Web site for performance of both 7 and 8 the past few days, 7 arrived early every day since May 19 except for one day when it was five minutes late. No. 8 has arrived in Chciago close to on time or early just about each day. I think it was 30 minute late on one of the days.

It's been my experience that the long distance trains west of Chicago handled by BNSF generally run much closer to on time status than do those handled by Union Pacific.

aehouse Wrote:
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> It's been my experience that the long distance
> trains west of Chicago handled by BNSF generally
> run much closer to on time status than do those
> handled by Union Pacific.
It's probably only fair to point out that while BNSF handles this train for most of the way, CP handles it between Chicago and MSP.

I echo all the responses so far.

One thing, there is trackwork on some days between Chi-Milw but the padding in the stop at MILW is a good place to make up any lost time and still arrive at Columbus OT.

#8 is the unpredictable one as it comes from farther away, subject to incidents further west on it's route. When #8 is running super late bustitution is the order of the day for MINN-MILW-CHI passengers so they can make connections with outbound trains in Chi. Updates from Julie are always in order for passengers boarding MINN-CHI. But, as was mentioned, overall #8's performance has been good of late.

CP does a good job dispatching this train on it's tracks Chi-Hastings.

chico Wrote:
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> I echo all the responses so far.
>
> One thing, there is trackwork on some days between
> Chi-Milw but the padding in the stop at MILW is a
> good place to make up any lost time and still
> arrive at Columbus OT.
>
> #8 is the unpredictable one as it comes from
> farther away, subject to incidents further west on
> it's route. When #8 is running super late
> bustitution is the order of the day for
> MINN-MILW-CHI passengers so they can make
> connections with outbound trains in Chi. Updates
> from Julie are always in order for passengers
> boarding MINN-CHI. But, as was mentioned, overall
> #8's performance has been good of late.
>
> CP does a good job dispatching this train on it's
> tracks Chi-Hastings.


As a local resident, I agree..... the Builder is pretty outstanding..... and the BNSF does
a great job most of the time in retaining on time performance. The CP also does a good job,
and their track, Chicago to Hastings is very smooth.

Thanks guys for the insight into these trains. The wife and I are thinking of taking the train from VA to MN later this summer and your comments are very much appreciated.

It’s not exactly like the “old” days when I could get a pass and ride for free, well other than sleeper accommodations; times change… :-)

Enginecrew Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks guys for the insight into these trains. The
> wife and I are thinking of taking the train from
> VA to MN later this summer and your comments are
> very much appreciated.
>
> It’s not exactly like the “old” days when I could
> get a pass and ride for free, well other than
> sleeper accommodations; times change… :-)


Well, not as nice as the good old days but the Builder's equipment has been refurbished in the last year and its real nice & clean. Still only one electrical outlet in the lounge car for all to fight over, though.

<The CP also does a good job, and their track, Chicago to Hastings is very smooth.>

Man, the good track is sure a change from the late '70's when I used to ride the North Star, North Coast Hiawatha, and Empire Builder between Chicago and the Twin Cities. In those days, the rock and roll from low joints on the old Milwaukee kept things interesting. My first full scale sleeping car experience (other than one experience on a slumbercoach many years earlier when I was a kid) was an overnight trip in a roomette on a 10-6 sleeper from Chicago to the Twin Cities on the old North Star. I thought I had died and gone to heaven.

CP and BNSF in recent years have generally been the best two roads for Amtrak to work with in terms of on time performance. Obviously s--t can happen though. Probably the most likely problem in the late summer time period could be heat orders or track work slowing the eastbound train across the BNSF northern plains, which could delay it a couple hours or so into the Twin Cities. But in general, you should OK.

Are you planning to come up here
MSP for the steam locomotive trips
in late July? If so meet us at the
roundhouse at Harrison St.

Tim

Dieseljuice Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Are you planning to come up here
> MSP for the steam locomotive trips
> in late July? If so meet us at the
> roundhouse at Harrison St.
>
> Tim

Hello Tim,

The wife (family conductor, I just run the engine) indicates the September time frame is in order and since I've been married "all my life" :-) I imagine after Labor Day is when we'll head out (we usually travel in early spring or fall anyway). At least most vacationers will be back home though some sights may be closed.

BNSF, CPR and the CN. CN does a great job with "City of New Orleans" and #391 and #392.

Silver Sky

czephyr17 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> >
> Man, the good track is sure a change from the late
> '70's when I used to ride the North Star, North
> Coast Hiawatha, and Empire Builder between Chicago
> and the Twin Cities. In those days, the rock and
> roll from low joints on the old Milwaukee kept
> things interesting. My first full scale sleeping
> car experience (other than one experience on a
> slumbercoach many years earlier when I was a kid)
> was an overnight trip in a roomette on a 10-6
> sleeper from Chicago to the Twin Cities on the old
> North Star. I thought I had died and gone to
> heaven.
>
> CP and BNSF in recent years have generally been
> the best two roads for Amtrak to work with in
> terms of on time performance. Obviously s--t can
> happen though. Probably the most likely problem
> in the late summer time period could be heat
> orders or track work slowing the eastbound train
> across the BNSF northern plains, which could delay
> it a couple hours or so into the Twin Cities. But
> in general, you should OK.


You are correct. The MILW track was horrendous and speeds remained high, despite the poor condition. I remember one conductor telling the engineer during the serving of breakfast near
Kellogg, Minnesota to "slow this d**n thing down, the plates are changing tables in the diner."
Recent trips over the River Sub. have been wonderful. The track is glass smooth. It is a far
cry from "the good old days of Amtrak." I hope that the gentleman making the trip has a wonderful ride, September in Minnesota can be beautiful, and quite warm. The bluffs along the Mississippi near here may have some color by that time.

Enginecrew... I do understand that
the conductor runs the train show...

We at the 261 shop have tentative
plans to run 1st weekend in Sept.
Also have plans to run 1st weekend
in Oct. this trip will run MSP
down to LaCrosse and return each
day. Maybe you can adjust the
planning accordingly? Silver Sky
has better info as to getting
around the Amtrak system than I do.

Tim

Dieseljuice Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> We at the 261 shop have tentative
> plans to run 1st weekend in Sept.
> Also have plans to run 1st weekend
> in Oct. this trip will run MSP
> down to LaCrosse and return each
> day. Maybe you can adjust the
> planning accordingly? Silver Sky
> has better info as to getting
> around the Amtrak system than I do.
>
> Tim

I'll look into this and see if the wife can rearrange her vacation, I’m retired so everyday’s Saturday.
Also we’ll have to check other family members to see if they can change their plans, if so we just may be able to make the October run.

Thanks for the heads-up!

You are welcome... RIDE ON
We have not cast the schedule in
stone so keep yourself flexible.

Tim