Passenger Trains > Amtrak 19 delay

Running almost seven hours late. Weather related? 

Norfolk Southern ran a freight in front of Amtrak to take out trees a debris so Amtrak would not get damaged and need special assistance

Posted from iPhone

I try not to get angry at these severe delays until I hear both sides of the story. 

I get mad too -- because I know the deadly effect that delays of such magnitude have on long distance ridership.

Even Amtrak's Anthony Coscia agrees that these freight railroad delays are deadly. He goes way beyond just complaining about it.  He said that this lateness--including freight train interference--
is an "...existential threat to the service we provide..." (some of us already know this).

But, if it is an "existential threat" - it can also become an "existential weapon" to eliminate trains if nothing is done about it - or if it is deliberate.
At this point, we can't say it's deliberate--but we can say Amtrak management is doing nothing about it.

Running a freight ahead of 19 to clear debris etc sounds like a good idea.

I was on an AutoTrain which encountered a fallen tree just south of Lorton VA. Blocked four passenger and two freight trains.

Within 45 minutes two CSX guys showed up with a chain saw. Broke up the pieces and used a good sized truck to pull the trunk away from the gauge.

Total delay, maybe 90 minutes.

Posted from Android

running a "track inspector" ahead of ALL trains to inspect for debris sounds like and even better idea...........

66

goneon66 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> running a "track inspector" ahead of ALL trains to
> inspect for debris sounds like and even better
> idea...........
>
> 66

Works only if you have the manpower and equipment.

PHall Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> goneon66 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > running a "track inspector" ahead of ALL trains
> to
> > inspect for debris sounds like and even better
> > idea...........
> >
> > 66
>
> Works only if you have the manpower and equipment.

And which option would be more expedient, time-wise ?

Too many statements made on this board without
knowing the facts.

What facts would you like to hear?

For the full year of 2018 - The crescent was on time only 43% of the time (and many delays were outrageously long--like this one)

For the first month of 2019 (October) it was OT 36% of the time

Chronic delays are all over the Country -- and some trains are even worse than the Crescent    - In October, The Capitol Ltd. was OT 19% and the Texas Eagle 19%, the Sunset Ltd. 26%

Is this enough facts to prove Amtraks statement that this terrible lateness is an existential threat to LD passengers? (the threat is comming from the frt. railroads)
Another fact.  Amtrak gives NS an "F" for ot handling of theit trains.

NKP715 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> PHall Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > goneon66 Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > running a "track inspector" ahead of ALL
> trains
> > to
> > > inspect for debris sounds like and even
> better
> > > idea...........
> > >
> > > 66
> >
> > Works only if you have the manpower and
> equipment.
>
> And which option would be more expedient,
> time-wise ?
>
> Too many statements made on this board without
> knowing the facts.

The railroad companies have trimmed their manpower down to the absolute minimum needed to get the job done. And they've outsourced a lot of the maintenance work too.
So they may not have the bodies available to provide the escorts for every train. I'm sure the contractors can probably handle it, if you make the arrangements before you need them.

And it's starting (if not already) to bite them in the butt!