Passenger Trains > 8(2) - Continuous Unresolved Mechanical Assessment

Delay Notification: As of 6:53 AM MT, Train 8/28 is currently stopped west of Libby (LIB) due to continuous unresolved mechanical assessments. An equipment adjustment will cause a lengthy delay. 

The use by Amtrak of the phrase "Mechanical Assessment" as a delay reason is cited so often that it has become meaningless.

Lake Shore Ltd of Dec 2nd departed Toledo  3' 52 " ,  was at Albany for  4' 17 " waiting on a delayed 449 from Boston that was stuck  behind a stalled CSX train and the eastbound 448 on / near single track on the B&A .  Next Gen Acela 2154 of Dec 3rd departed Washington  1' 17 "' due to late servicing of the equipment  , 2154 usually turns on the platform at South Station for NGA 2173  due out at  412pm.  NGA 2152 is ahead of 2154 to Boston but turns for 2169 . 

.

---

Just a llittle AI adjustment needed.

It's always fun to re-learn those lessons as suggested in this clip. check the date on the book:

HAL 9000: "I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARJ8cAGm6JE
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/03/25 08:42 by TCnR.

CR900945 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The use by Amtrak of the phrase "Mechanical
> Assessment" as a delay reason is cited so often
> that it has become meaningless.

I one time had an angineer on a BN west man coming up out of Leavenworth (WA) that 'There was some smoke, then kind of like grinding noise, then a bnunch of banging, then a loud screeching noise. It's not running now. There's probably something wrong.'

I guess that would call for a mechanical assessment - or was that the assessment?

TAW

I am having a tough time trying to get my head around this phrase.

As of now it's doing 78.2 mph east of Shelby so apparently doesn't have BNSF power on there

Posted from Android

TAW Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> CR900945 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The use by Amtrak of the phrase "Mechanical
> > Assessment" as a delay reason is cited so often
> > that it has become meaningless.
>
> I one time had an angineer on a BN west man coming
> up out of Leavenworth (WA) that 'There was some
> smoke, then kind of like grinding noise, then a
> bnunch of banging, then a loud screeching noise.
> It's not running now. There's probably something
> wrong.'
>
> I guess that would call for a mechanical
> assessment - or was that the assessment?
>
> TAW

Good story...here's another:  a pilot with a airline who had previously been a mechanic wrote a long description in the maintenance log as to what he deemed any problem was.  The mantenance foreman, clearly exasperated, said, "Just tell us what happened and we'll figure it out!"  So not long after, flyng a Lockheed Constellation, he arrived at the gate with the number two engine clearly twisted in the mounts, covered in soot, dripping oil and a propellor blade missing.  In the logbook?  "Number two engine broke". Perfect mechanical assessment.

I once told NS MOC that a SD60E bogged down , felt and soudned like you fed a 2x4 into a blender shut down and now has oil and coolant running out the round inspection port. His diagnoses Yup that ones dead. 

TAW Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> CR900945 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The use by Amtrak of the phrase "Mechanical
> > Assessment" as a delay reason is cited so often
> > that it has become meaningless.
>
> I one time had an angineer on a BN west man coming
> up out of Leavenworth (WA) that 'There was some
> smoke, then kind of like grinding noise, then a
> bnunch of banging, then a loud screeching noise.
> It's not running now. There's probably something
> wrong.'
>
> I guess that would call for a mechanical
> assessment - or was that the assessment?
>
> TAW

INTLRAILTRAVELLER Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> As of now it's doing 78.2 mph east of Shelby so
> apparently doesn't have BNSF power on there
>
> Posted from Android

Well the reported "lengthy delay" only was a 2.5 hour delay..... Not bad for the typical "mechanical assessments. There are some sidings in the Libby area, so hopefully they came in handy to some extent in the "equipment adjustment."

Yes, Train 8/28 (2) definitely made up time as it arrived into Shelby, but a I write this the status color code of train 8/28 (2) just went from a "red" to a "black" - on transitdocs.com that I use to track Amtrak trains. But that's likely only due to the fact that it is about to have a meet with Train #7/27 (2). Hopefully. There's a LOT of time built into the Empire Builder's schedule - east and westbound - these days. Hopefully it can continue to make-up time. The Empire Builders should be able to make-up time at Minot, ND for ALL east and west runs, but that often comes down to rolling dice as well. As a frequent rider, I can attest to the fact that in most of my 2024 trips, if the Empire Builder arrived even 15 minutes late - it will leave Minot, ND 15 minutes late, despite the very lengthy layover and after the crew and equipment check has BEEN done.......On some recent tracking, they have been getting some Empire Builder trains in/out quicker and made up time. Time will tell......Winter will be interesting as always on the Hi-Line......And so it goes......