Passenger Trains > Another Very Late 48

As of 10:32 PM CT, Train 48 & 448 will be delayed departing Chicago (CHI) due to the late arrival and servicing of the train set. Estimated Departure 1:34a 4 hrs, 4 mins late —per Amtrak Alerts 
Be of good cheer,
—Mac
www.lowellamrine.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/01/26 00:00 by MacBeau.

49 arrived at 12:45pm. Not that late. 8 working hours for the turn and service. If there was a bad order, the Floridian was there to steal equipment from. What in the HELL is going on with Chicago and their equipment lately? 

NARP/RPA has been totally silent on these repeated late departures and cancellations from storm Fern. 

Through EKH at 0523 with 153 leading 93. For a non ACSES loco to be leading I would say rostered 97 turned up its toes. 

sethamtrak Wrote:

> NARP/RPA has been totally silent on these repeated
> late departures and cancellations from storm Fern. 

What, and criticize Mama Amtrak ? All they are about are pom-pom girls for the Mardi Gras and the UP/NS merger - an STB submission portal. Chicago Mechanical is willfully re-enacting 77-78 winter, management rolls over. Midwest State DOTs are also to blame. Unfortunately, certain State ARP's are in effect mini-NARPs and mentor Mother NARP in behavior and activities. Trains-in-the-Valley is an exception, and pulls FOIA requests on Amtrak. 

7 years and counting my membership is out of there. 

With their membership down from 23,000 to about 7,000, I don't know how they pay bills and payroll unless by bequests, and eventually they evaporate, like pissing away money after inheriting Uncle Moe's mansion.  



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/01/26 05:21 by joemvcnj.

sethamtrak Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 49 arrived at 12:45pm. Not that late. 8 working
> hours for the turn and service. If there was a bad
> order, the Floridian was there to steal equipment
> from. What in the HELL is going on with Chicago
> and their equipment lately? 
>
> NARP/RPA has been totally silent on these repeated
> late departures and cancellations from storm
> Fern. 
NARP/RPA washed their hands of any operational oversight about 8 or 9 years ago.  The RPA is an enabler of the operational meltdown that we are experiencing with Amtrak now.  The organization ignored and even became rude with members who reminded them of the mission of requiring accountability for Amtrak operations, and many members, MANY members, left the organization in total frustration.  I personally have no interest in supporting the RPA, and also became a former member 7 years ago.  On this issue, and many others, they just don't care.   The are a dysfunctional Amtrak enabling group that would rather promote themselves.
 

Might it be time to start a new organization that is serious about improving rail in America? 

Maybe so.

Chessie1963 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Might it be time to start a new organization that
> is serious about improving rail in America? 
>
> Maybe so.

I believe there are some adjustments and re-thinking that should be done, but not sure how deep one wants to go in that analysis. 

https://trailways.com/service-advisories/

Sunday, February 1st, 2026

Trailways is currently operating without disruption.