Passenger Trains > Pere Marquette

Yesterday the train left Grand Rapids 68 mins. late. Departed Chicago
on time and arrived Grand Rapids 20 mins. late

Today's train left Grand Rapids 50 mins. late

THANKS. So, for the past week:

370(14) Arrived: 20 minutes late.
371(15) Departed: 50 minutes late.

370(13) Arrived: 45 minutes late.
371(14) Departed: 1 hour and 8 minutes late.

370(12) Arrived: 51 minutes late.
371(13) Departed: 1 hour and 17 minutes late.

370(11) Arrived: 14 minutes late.
371(12) Departed: 54 minutes late.

370(10) Arrived: 8 minutes early.
371(11) Departed: 3 minutes late.

370(08) Arrived: 1 hour and 53 minutes late.
371(09) Departed: on time.

370(07) Arrived: 23 minutes late.
371(08) Departed: 56 minutes late.


I think it was mentioned that due to the very late arrival of 370(8),
a re-crew was arranged to prevent a totally ridiculous departure time
for 371(9). Otherwise, there is a definite pattern here.

It is clear to see that the situation is unacceptable, and that Amtrak
needs to take corrective action, perhaps involving a schedule change in the Fall.

I might add that CSX does not appear to be at fault. Gene beat me by a few minutes in doing a similar analysis, where I posted times shown in both directions for the days he showed at both St. Joseph and Grand Rapids. On the 12th, #370 lost 34" SJM-GRR and #371 lost 12" and on the 13th #371 lost 15"; also on the 10th #371 lost 13". On the other days between the 9th and 14th the trains were within 2-4" of scheduled running time. These delays could very well be from slow orders as a result of trackwork during the day.

Andy

Tonight's PM from Chicago arrived Grand Rapids only 4 mins. late
Looks good for on time departure to Chicago tomorrow

but you don't know when the crew tied up and were released
doesn't seem like this schedule will work at all without
a dogcatch
showing ETD GRR 800am as of now ( 610am EDT )

Train left GRR Thurs 16th at 8:04 am, 29 mins. late

Although there is 9'20" between #370's schedule arrival and #371's scheduled departure the next day, the time apparently is insufficient to yard the train after arrival and spot in in the station for departure and still afford the crew the required 8 hrs rest. Is someone in the area familiar with the proceedure? Was the schedule changed recently from one that had more layover time at GRR?

Andy

at some point back they were parking in the CSX yard, or so I thought.

The train overnights at Fuller, the former C&O/GTW crossing about three miles north of the Grand Rapids depot. It takes about ten minutes for the trip, longer if they have only one unit and need to make this a backup move in the evening. Plus they have to hand throw a switch to get off and back on the main.

370 of the 16th arrived GRR 10 mins. late