Passenger Trains > Coast Starlight of Nov 16?

The Amtrak site says there was a service disruption of Train 11 on Friday. It hasn't came through Dunsmuir yet anyone know what happened? Train 14 rolled through here a little while ago.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/12 07:34 by photobob.

There is some kind of freight problem in the mountains--"freight stuck in a tunnel" is what I heard. #11, which I was supposed to be on this morning, hasn't made it to Chemult yet. It's down the Valley for me.

11 spent almost 12 hours between Lookout Siding and Fields Siding. Last known movement was passing Cascades Summit at 07:04 this morning. Looks to be heading south now, nearing Chiloquin, Oregon as of 08:20.

AMT11 16
Departed Eugene, OR 11/16/12 17:39
Passing Dougren, OR 11/16/12 18:12
Arrived Lookout, OR 11/16/12 18:39
Passing Fields, OR 11/17/12 06:09
Arrived Cruzatte, OR 11/17/12 06:45
Passing Cassummit, OR 11/17/12 07:04
Arrived Chemult, OR 11/17/12 07:40
Passing Fuego, OR 11/17/12 08:12


Posted from iPhone



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/12 08:21 by AlbinaRunThrough.

It is in Klamath Falls right now. Should be departing soon. Probably won't even make it to Davis by nightfall. There will be some rare daylight trackage on this trip.

Jake Miille
Chico, CA
Jake Miille Photography

AMTRAK was held 60 miles north of Chemult which would be either Wicopee or Heather. More than likely Heather since a van can get to it for crew relief. Just a wild guess but the freight problem was in the tunnels between Fields and Cruzatte.

jb

Train 11 just ARRIVED OKJ - Oakland Jack London at 7:28 PM or so.

--- Daniel



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/12 19:34 by daniel3197.

Train 11 just told UP Dispatch 62 he needs to run VIA NILES route at 747PM .

7:50 PM Train 11 has DEPARTED Oakland - OKJ (per ATCS)
--- Daniel

8:52 PM
Amtrak Train 11 just cleared the 23.1 DETECTOR South HAYWARD (UP NILES SUB )
NO DEFECTS -- 52 AXLES 79 MPH 60F (Temp)
(This is between Oakland and Fremont in the SF Bay Area (northern California).
--- Daniel

747 just cleared Santa Clara University. Still waiting for 14 to depart SJC. @21:08.

Posted from iPhone

14 approaching Santa Clara 21:12.

Posted from iPhone

21:13 14 just passed Santa Clara. Went around the corner very slow towards expressway.

Posted from iPhone

11 just passed Santa Clara @ 21:26.

Posted from iPhone

9:29 PM Train 11 arriving into SJC SAN JOSE depot area.
The 11 and 14 meet was at CP EXPRESSWAY MP 43.6 on the UP Coast Sub
(CP Expressway is in northern - Santa Clara- at Central Expressway area)

--- Daniel

9:40 PM approx Train 11 DEPARTED SJC -- SAN JOSE DEPOT.
This info per the online ATCS.
btw UP dispatch 58 calls this train the AMTK 87 (Likely LEAD unit)

I wish Amtrak dot com would somehow show these times for
the public to look up for late--delayed trains.
--- Daniel



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/12 21:49 by daniel3197.

It sat for 12 hours?? What was the freight problem that required 12 hours to fix? God help UP.

coach Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It sat for 12 hours?? What was the freight
> problem that required 12 hours to fix? God help
> UP.

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,2915823

Just making a guess here that it wasn't a minor deraliment but a knuckle or drawbar that came apart. Let's say that it was a 5'000 foot train. It is possible that it could have been stretched out through three tunnels and across a trestle. Let's say that the head end was at mp548. That means the train would have been in tunnel 9, across noisy creek, (shown in photobobs photo above), tunnel 10, and tunnel 11. You are going to need help and it has all gone home at 6:00PM. When you get the help they are going to have to hi-rail from Fields and Cruzatte. They are going to have to walk through those tunnels and across one (maybe two trestles) with a knuckle. Front part of the train can go south to Cruzatte. (and it may be plugged with a northbound so it would be Abernethy next) Rear part would go back to Fields. By now the crew has died and a new one has to be called. That's an hour from Eugene if they have one.

You asked another question earlier about why this route. It is 25 miles shorter. Over 2,000 feet less ascent. 2.2% vs. 3.3% grade. And, 20,000 degrees less curvature. The I-5 route has slides also, plus washouts, tunnel fires, clearance restrictions, and a top speed that would add a day. You remove the curves, improve the grade, and reduce climb by coming this-a-way.

Something else happened here where I think AMTRAK did something creative. #11 operates from Portland (PDX) to Klamath Falls (KFS) with a four man crew. Two on the head end and a conductor and assistant. They need to be in KFS before mid-night in order to get their rest and be able to return on #14 the next day. I don't know how they worked the head end on Saturday with #14 but the conductors worked single crew and I don't know how they did that. If they know that they are going to be stopped for an extended time, can half the crew take their rest on board the train?

jb



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/18/12 06:56 by jdb.

I assume you're talking about the Siskiyou line when talking detour? Not feasible. The freight problem likely wasn't known until Amtrak had already departed EUG, and: 1) Amtrak doesn't have an operating agreement with CORP. 2) Transit from Eugene to Black Butte via the Siskiyou line would take in excess of 24 hours due to much 10 mph running. 3) Superliners would not clear the tunnels on the line, many of which have been unchanged since built in the 1870's.
Been there, done that.

jdb Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If they know that they are
> going to be stopped for an extended time, can half
> the crew take their rest on board the train?


Nope. Rest can only begin when OFF the property and at lodging.