Passenger Trains > "Idiocracy" Is Here --- 486 Years Early

On Friday July 12th, I rode Amtrak # 713 from Bakersfield to Martinez and connected to Bus 6313 that would take me to Willits.  I got off at Martinez, the train departed Martinez and I connected to the bus along with the other passengers who were also destined for cities and towns where Bus 6313 was going.  After sitting for about ten minutes, the driver came aboard and told us that we were holding there for four people who were supposed to have exited the train (like we did) and connect to this particular bus (like we did), but they somehow managed to ride past the Martinez stop.  He said we were going to wait there while the wayward passengers would get off Train 713 somewhere between Martinez and Richmond and board Capitol Corridor train 532 back to Martinez.  It sounded like they made an across-the-ballast transfer somewhere between Martinez and Richmond. 

So the people who did things correctly got delayed by about an hour to correct the errors of four people who were either too drunk or stoned or incompetent to make a train connection when and where they were supposed to make one.  We lost more time near Vallejo and the Sonoma Raceway as the roads were getting clogged with thicker traffic going into the weekend. 

Maybe Amtrak should have told the four people, "Hey, too bad.  The other passengers managed to get off at Martinez when and where they were supposed to.  You can take tomorrow's bus.  We can't inconvenience all the other passengers because of your loss of situational awareness." 

Never a dull moment when riding the San Joaquins.     

 



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/15/19 21:53 by CA_Sou_MA_Agent.

If announcements were made on the origin train, then I would say let the bus go on schedule.  

Why reward bad behaviour?
 

RevRandy Wrote:
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> If announcements were made on the origin train, then I would say let the bus go on schedule.  

Announcements were made.  

> Why reward bad behaviour?

I agree.
 



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/17/19 13:02 by CA_Sou_MA_Agent.

What ever happened to personal responsibility. They will probably blame Amtrak for not escorting them off the train. In other countries, often there isn't even an announcement as to station arrivals. Passengers are expected to know where they are going and get off at the appropriate location. Otherwise, it's on to the next stop. 

About 10 years ago, I was on the northbound Coast Starlight.  There was a lady and her three kids.  The coach that they were sent to was somewhat crowded but mom found that there were plenty of seats in the next car, so they all moved to that coach.  I forgot what station it was, but the platform was short and they only opened the doors of a few coaches and the coach she was on was not one of those.  After a few minutes, the train pulled out of the station.  The lady was frantic.  I was listening on the radio and there were some communications on what to do.  Her husband had been at the station waiting for her.  Should they call him and tell him they would be stopping at the net road crossing?  That wouldn't work because of cell service coverage.  Long story short, got the agent at the station to contact the husband and then they took her to the next station where she boarded the southbound Starlight.

John

https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?18,3141574

Years ago at Harrisburg, a Keystone Service train headed to Philadelphia and a train headed to Pittsburgh loaded passengers at the 
same time on opposite sides of the same platform. (I know, not a good plan!) Occasionally passengers that were headed east ended 
up on the westbound train. Usually they would get permission from NS and stop at the Harrisburg fuel pad and a conductor would 
escort them to a yard office to get transportation back to the station. However at least once, NS would not let them do that and the 
passenger ended up having to go to the next stop which was at Lewistowm; 60 miles away and with no eastbound train until the next
day. 

In today's world of participation ribbons for everyone, it's everyone else's problems but there own.

It seems a bit harsh to brand the wayward passengers as drunk, stoned, or incompetent without knowing more about the situation.

Yes, something went wrong and they missed their stop.

I think Amtrak should be commended for going above and beyond to get the passengers to their destination.

So what if your bus was delayed a little bit and you encountered traffic near the raceway. Boo hoo, get over it.

Would you really rather Amtrak tell the wayward passengers to piss off, wait for tomorrow’s bus?

What if it was your wife or child who ended up in that situation?

Maybe you could get a seat at the back of the bus so you could flip them off as the bus pulls out of the parking lot without them.

Posted from iPhone

walstib Wrote:
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> It seems a bit harsh to brand the wayward  passengers as drunk, stoned, or incompetent without knowing more about the situation.

There were some details of the story I left out.  One woman had a child in a car seat and when she reached down to try and pick up the car seat, she fell backwards on her ass.   Probably too much booze in the lounge car.  She seemed to fit that profile.    

> Yes, something went wrong and they missed their stop.

Yeah, the "something wrong" was them not paying attention and ditching personal responsibility.  Your description reminds me of Ilhan Omar describing the planes flying into the twin towers as "some people did something."  

> I think Amtrak should be commended for going above and beyond to get the passengers to their destination.

Yeah, that policy will be in place until people like this get injured or killed as they're trying to make an "across the ballast" transfer between trains.  Amtrak's actions are, as someone else mentioned, rewarding these people for their irresponsibility.   Across-the-ballast transfers also have way of pissing off the host railroads.   

> So what if your bus was delayed a little bit and you encountered traffic near the raceway. Boo hoo, get over it.

I wasn't as pissed off as some other people.

> Would you really rather Amtrak tell the wayward passengers to piss off, wait for tomorrow’s bus?

Yes.  That would teach them a lesson and, the next time, they would not lose situational awareness at Martinez.  Maybe if we're lucky, the harsh treatment would drive them away from Amtrak forever.  Amtrak needs passengers like these people about as much as it needs a hole in its head.   Thus far, you appear to be the only respondent who is attempting to play the role of defense attorney on their behalf.   

> What if it was your wife or child who ended up in that situation?

They have more personal responsibility than that and they pay attention to details when it comes to train-bus connections.  And now we're getting into hypotheticals.   

> Maybe you could get a seat at the back of the bus so you could flip them off as the bus pulls out of the parking lot without them.

Still more hypotheticals.  More "maybe you could do this ...  maybe you could have done that ... "   You must really be bored today.  



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/15/19 15:23 by CA_Sou_MA_Agent.

No more bored than usual. And perhaps my recent binge watching of old “Perry Mason” episodes has brought out my inner defense attorney.

Unfortunately, not everyone in the traveling public can be the perfect and punctual passenger that you portray you and your family as.

I usually just drive to my destination.

Posted from iPhone

This story reminds me of another recent report fom a pasenger who missed/nearly missed his train at Bakersfield while waiting in the station during the bus-train transfer.  His beef?  The station clock was out of order.  Announcements?  Must not have heard them.  I don't recall anyone saying he was drunk/stoned/whatever.  Inattention happens....especially in the situational awareness free zone so many occupy these days.

Amtrak was probably in that eternal damned in you do damned if you don't situation.  That they made an effort to assist one of their passengers is to be commended, not condemmed.  This is similar to holding a connecting train for those making the transfer.......I'd bet there are a lot of complaints about that too when it happens.  Not much compassion to spread around these days, eh?

AA

Stanford White
Carmel Valley, CA

i feel NOT maintaining a station clock to which trains depart/arrive from is the responsibility of the railroad providing the transportation and must be done.  end of subject and no debate as far as i am concerned.

holding the train for people in this situation is a valid discussion and a completley different subject as far as i am concerned........

66

agentatascadero Wrote:
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> This story reminds me of another recent report fom a pasenger who missed/nearly missed his train at Bakersfield while waiting in the station during the bus-train transfer.  His beef?  The station clock was out of order.  

The clock now shows the correct time.  Had that been the case a few months ago, that particular discussion thread you make reference to would not exist.  

goneon66 Wrote:
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> i feel NOT maintaining a station clock to which
> trains depart/arrive from is the responsibility of
> the railroad providing the transportation and must
> be done.  end of subject and no debate as far as
> i am concerned.
>
> holding the train for people in this situation is
> a valid discussion and a completley different
> subject as far as i am concerned........
>
> 66

If you leave out the common factor of inattention, then there may be no other connection between the two incidents.  The common factor in the reported delayed bus and holding trains is the annoyance felt by those delayed......if you leave that out, there may not be another connection.

Just curious...were you the guy in  Bakersfield?

AA

Stanford White
Carmel Valley, CA

no, i was not...........

66

walstib Wrote:
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> No more bored than usual. And perhaps my recent binge watching of old “Perry Mason” episodes has brought out my inner defense attorney.

Don't give up your day job just yet.  

> Unfortunately, not everyone in the traveling public can be the perfect and punctual passenger that you portray you and your family as.

Making a connection between a train and a bus at a designated transfer point is not rocket science, but as our society becomes more and more stupid, as we see here, the people who know what they're doing more and more frequently have to "pay the freight" for those who don't.  Otherwise, feelings might be hurt and, in this day and age, we certainly wouldn't want to hurt anyone's feelings.  

> I usually just drive to my destination.

Shame on you.  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will be really mad at you.  Your carbon footprint is way too big.    

https://youtu.be/k8Lo0ieyQtQ
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/15/19 21:51 by CA_Sou_MA_Agent.

goneon66 Wrote:
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> holding the train for people in this situation is a valid discussion and a completley different subject as far as i am concerned........

I agree.  
 

So, who goes to Willits?

OliveHeights Wrote:
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> So, who goes to Willits?

Here was my reason for my trip:  

On Saturday, July 13, 2019, the Pacific Coast Chapter, R&LHS and Central Coast Chapter, NRHS will hold a joint railfan excursion honoring the memory of member Edward Graham. This is a drive yourself trip to Willits, where we will first visit Roots of Motive Power on East Commercial Street (across from Recreation Grove Park) for a steam­up of Bluestone Heisler No. 4. Mason County 2­6­2T No. 7 will be displayed. A full tour of Roots and their equipment will be given. We will then enjoy a catered fellowship lunch in the park across from Roots. After lunch, we will depart the Skunk Train Depot for a diesel powered excursion on the California Western Railroad to Crowley. To end the day, we will have a rare behind ­the ­scenes tour of the Baldo Locomotive Works hosted by owner Chris Baldo of the Willits Redwood Company. 

There were about twenty-five or so of us there.  My friend Jack Swanberg also attended and he came all the way from Connecticut just for this.  It was our farewell tribute to Ed.  

The Roots of Motive Power and the Baldo Locomotive Works are amazing places and I had no idea something like those places were in Willits.  Since the NWP is shut down, they have no rail access to the outside world.  

https://rootsofmotivepower.com/

https://goo.gl/maps/9XSV4utDStd3LrQa6



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/15/19 16:56 by CA_Sou_MA_Agent.