Wrong track

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Dan O

Conductor
Joined
Feb 21, 2008
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1,168
Location
So Calif
I recently took the Sunset Limited from southern CA to New Orleans. On the way to NOLA we stopped in Houston. When we resumed the trip the train moved slowly for maybe 2 miles or so. We came to a stop and started to back up. I thought we may be backing up all the way to the station but we eventually stopped. After a short stop we continued forward and were soon on another track. Apparently we missed the turn the first time. I haven't traveled on trains all that much so wasn't sure if it was half way common or not. Would the crew catch some flak since they apparently recognized the error very soon and were able to fix it?

Dan
 
They didn't "Miss a turn", the backup move is necessary to get on the proper tracks that UP is now using for directional running.

It's a good thing they backed up again when they "Missed the turn" for NOUPT, though, otherwise you might have wound up in Orlando! ,)
 
A crossover from one track to the other may be designed to go right-to left, or left-to-right. On a double-track line, there have to be some going each way, ideally located so that backup moves aren't necessary. A train approaches the switches and everything should be lined up to go straight through without a backup move. If one of the crossovers is out of service for maintenance, or the usual route is blocked for some reason, it may be necessary to go forward and back up to get to the right track.

Years ago, B&O train 17 entered Cleveland way down in the valley by the river. The train had to go forward past the switch, then back up a steep ramp to get to the proper level, then pull forward to reach Cleveland Union Terminal. When the train departed eastbound as number 18, the same procedure was followed, but in reverse.

I don't know the track arrangement at the location in question, but there is probably a good reason to do it as they do.

Tom
 
I have seen you tube videos showing this.Necessary to get on the east bound track.
 
What you are seeing is referred to as directional running. Between Houston and Beaumont there are two mains, now both Union Pacific The former Missouri Pacific line, which is the northern of the two appears to be the one used as the eastbound main. This is track has no particular highway route following, crosses Lake Houston and goes through Hardin. The former Southen Pacific is the southern of the two, appears to be used westbound, is closely followed by US 90, going through Liberty. These lines come back together west of the Beaumont station, so there was no issue there.
 
Here's a crude drawing of how this works. NOTE: NOT AN ARTIST!

Graphic showing directional running tracks between HOS and BPT.

HOUBPT.png

Also, a zoomed-in graphic on the Houston area showing the backup move the train has to make to get onto the east-running Beaumont Sub from the station.

BPTSUB.png
 
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Here's a crude drawing of how this works. NOTE: NOT AN ARTIST!

Graphic showing directional running tracks between HOS and BPT.

attachicon.gif
HOUBPT.png

Also, a zoomed-in graphic on the Houston area showing the backup move the train has to make to get onto the east-running Beaumont Sub from the station.

attachicon.gif
BPTSUB.png
thanks. Wish they had said that's what they were doing. When we backed into NOLA there were a few announcements stating what we were doing.
 
related to this,,,

I tried to use my Garmin on my recent EB adventure

but it kept trying to follow roads and I could find no setting to make it look for Amtrak,,,,,
 
related to this,,,

I tried to use my Garmin on my recent EB adventure

but it kept trying to follow roads and I could find no setting to make it look for Amtrak,,,,,
That's why I use an app on my iPod and now my iPhone that works for trails as well as roads. These are the kinds that hikers/bikers use.
 
thanks. Wish they had said that's what they were doing. When we backed into NOLA there were a few announcements stating what we were doing.
Scanner.
Not that interested. Some crews gave more info about maneuvers and sitting than others. I prefer a bit more info to what we got coming out of Houston. Made me think they didn't know where they were going.

Dan
 
Obviously you're interested if you're wanting more info. It isn't the crew's job to give a play by play of what they're doing.
Not play by play but some say "we are sitting on this siding waiting for a freight train to pass" or "we will be backing into New Orleans." They don't have to say anything but it might save the staff some questions when they do say why the train is sitting or why something else is going on. By not saying simply they are backing up to get on another track they left it open for folks to assume they took the wrong track. I don't mind Amtrak incompetence at times (other things than this) but some do.
 
Maybe Amtrak should start taking a poll when they come to every junction, asking the passengers what they should do. :giggle:
 
Well, it can also depend on whether the speakers are operational in your car. On the LSL Car 4820 (on which I got home last night), I could sometimes tell when they were making an announcement, but could never make out what it was.

I like to walk, so made a nuisance out of myself waddling through coaches to ask the dining car folks what the program would be for lunch.

The SCA Cesar was not very talkative, and it was hard to tell whether we were permitted to walk outside for a couple of minutes at some of the station stops.

On the EB the speakers were operational, and they always told us if we could get off or needed to stay on board.
 
It made you think they Didnt know what they were doing? Do you think a pilot doesn't know what he's doing when he's maneuvering the plane before take off?

I can assure you if they "missed a turn" and then had to back up, you would have been delayed a couple hours while a new crew was called.
 
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