Passenger Trains > 58 (16) 5.5 hrs late

...and probably getting later. Anyone know what happened or is it just the usual CN dispatching issues? Left NOL on time per the Amtrak app.

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We do know the train was stopped in Askew, Mississippi from 10:21 p.m. to 12:41 a.m. by looking at its location history here:     

https://asm.transitdocs.com/train/2018/12/16/58

Might be a vehicle or pedestrian-related incident, from the looks of things.  There is a siding between Crenshaw (to the south) and Askew, so the train could also have stopped there for any number of reasons (disabled freight train ahead, locomotive issue, passenger medical emergency, etc.)

Despite the long-standing OTP problems with the Illini/Saluki trains on the CN in Illinois, 58/59 are usually excellent timekeepers, so I don't think dispatching had anything to do with this delay.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/17/18 13:39 by illini73.

The CN also gets an "F" rating from Amtrak - and it's not because they have accidents every day.  Trains a chronically late by Hugh amounts all over the Country.

Like some, I'm not trying to find excuses for the freight railroads miserable handling -- I sadly realize what 5,7,10 hour delays means to people sitting in these trains - .

Just as an example- for October (1st Month 0f 2019 for Amtrak), the Texas Eagle was OT just 18.5% of the time.  What excuse can you give? Did they hit a car every day?

 

A489 pulled a drawbar approaching the siding at Rials, Mississippi.  Tied up the railroad a good six hours.  It happens.  Train was stopped at North Crenshaw.

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/17/18 15:38 by MaryMcPherson.

Kurt shot 58 on his way to the office this morning, seen here just south of Hallidayboro, Illinois, about 15 minutes after leaving Carbondale.

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

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Interesting.....looks like the sleeper is back up front next to the Superliner Trans-Dorm Sleeper again. The sleeper used to be at the end of the consist. And three coaches for this long distance train - that's a pretty healthy consist, all considering!!! Back to one unit upfront, not surprised, but it can handle it.

The City of New Orleans and Texas Eagle used to share equipment pools and even do same day run-throughs. For example, inbound City of New Orleans to Chicago would become the same day's outbound Texas Eagle bound for San Antonio/LA. They could do the same for inbound Texas Eagle and outbound City of New Orleans, but I think that run-through may have been put on hold. Having at least one run-through allowed for some better equipment utilization. The sleeper was positioned on the rear to allow for better equipment sharing between Texas Eagle and City of New Orleans. Not sure how this equipment is pooled these days, but pretty sure it still is. Both trains experimented with the Cross Country Cafe and had similar food arrangements too. 

58/59 currently runs with its own dedicated trainsets, as does 21/22.  The runthough arrangement worked well in theory, but frequently resulted in 59 getting out of Chicago late due to a late arriving 22 resulting in not enough time to service the train.

58/59 has three sets, consisting of a dorm car, sleeper, cafe/diner, lounge and three coaches.  Splitting the sleepers was a fairly short-lived experiment.

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions