Passenger Trains > Rail Partner & Train 21 today

The wheel of fortune has struck train 21/08 today. A new term in the alerts for me too, "a rail partner" helps describe the cause of this SNAFU.

04/09/25 11:38am EDT
_ Route Obstruction: As of 10:29 AM CT Train 21 and Train 421 are currently stopped west of Longview (LVW) due to a rail partner's disabled trainset blocking the tracks in the area. Due to an expected lengthy delay Train 21 and Train 421 will reverse back to Longview (LVW) to await further updates.
 

Disabled trainset? More new terms.. can't they just say what the problem is? These reports often lead to more questions than it answers. Is it derailed, a locomotive failure? A mechanical failure on a freight car? ???

Posted from Android



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/09/25 10:04 by P.

P Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Disabled trainset? More new terms.. can't they
> just say what the problem is? These reports often
> lead to more questions than it answers. Is it
> derailed, a locomotive failure? A mechanical
> failure on a freight car? ???

Only railfans demand the details. Everyone else moves on...

Translation:  Utterly Pathetic after dismissing all their car inspectors, dispatched a 16,000 train and it had a failed car.  

Five hours later, the track was again open for traffic.  

longliveSP Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> P Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Disabled trainset? More new terms.. can't they
> > just say what the problem is? These reports
> often
> > lead to more questions than it answers. Is it
> > derailed, a locomotive failure? A mechanical
> > failure on a freight car? ???
>
> Only railfans demand the details. Everyone else
> moves on...


Maybe, but if I were on a passenger flight and we were delayed for some reason and they released a statement with dumbed down content and made-up words or phrases, I think I would feel equally as annoyed/dismissed and I would want to know more details. It isn't just railfans wanting every detail, but normal people wanting to understand the situation better.
It does make a difference to much of the affected customer base if the locomotive crapped out, or if there are 40 freight cars piled up on the track you intended to traverse.

Posted from Android

Now, 21 has locomotive issues west of Gladewater.  Another long delay while they figure out what to do.  Two locomotives, so a swap out is being discussed.  There is a siding west of Gladewater. 

There was a derailment at Edgewood, the last 6 cars of a Z train derailed. Z train left the cars behind and moved on. 21 had to wait for a clear track. 

Amtrak's vocabulary is getting better:

Itinerary Update: The disabled freight train has recovered. Train 21 and Train 421 which departed Chicago (CHI) on 4/8 will resume full service. Residual delays may occur due to rail congestion. Please disregard previous notifications sent regarding service cancellations. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and we greatly appreciate your patience

I wonder if very recent law school graduates (Amtrak interns perhaps) with little or no previous exposure to trains are writing these alerts.

Maybe it’s AI (artificial intelligence)

Posted from iPhone

broadwayltd Wrote:
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> Maybe it’s AI (artificial intelligence)
>
> Posted from iPhone


That is certainly plausible.

Posted from Android

longliveSP Wrote:

> Only railfans demand the details. Everyone else
> moves on...
=================================================

NOBODY moves on, railfans or otherwise on the train!!!

Until it does move on, then EVERYBODY does.

I will believe that the gobbldegook is the result of AI taking over.
 



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/09/25 16:34 by GenePoon.

broadwayltd Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Maybe it’s AI (artificial intelligence)
>
> Posted from iPhone

More like Amtrak Intelligence, of which there is very little, and no one understands it.

The saga with this train, 21(8) continues. It just left Austin,TX over 12 hours late. Train # 1 apparently holding in San Antonio for the 421 cars. The litany of Amtrak alerts for this train read like Tolstoy's War & Peace. Derailment, engine trouble & crew rest have all contributed to this unusual voyage. And it ain't done yet.

04/10/25 7:46am EDT
_ Delay Notification: As of 6:18 AM CT Train 21/421 is currently
_ operating approximately 12 hours and 40 minutes late.

GenePoon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> longliveSP Wrote:
>
> > Only railfans demand the details. Everyone else
> > moves on...
> =================================================
>
> NOBODY moves on, railfans or otherwise on the
> train!!!

Which has absolutely nothing to do with my response that you quoted. That is called taking something out of context and twisting it to fit your needs, something you are extremely good at.

rail partner delayed 6 today to in colo