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greatcats

Engineer
Joined
Feb 27, 2006
Messages
2,385
Location
Flagstaff, Arizona
I understand due to track work east of Albuquerque that the trains have been running at least two hours late. But last night's 3 is over 8 hours late to LA today. What happened this time?
 
If you're referring to 3(6), I suspect it is losing time OTR due to a BNSF engine that was added to the point in Kansas.
 
Not everyone would be good with this thought, but at 8-9 hours late one would be seeing some normally dark territory in daylight!

At the time of this writing, #3(6) showed 9 hours late at WMJ at 0835. That's normally a late evening stop.

LAX is my home station/terminal/depot so my only "connection" would be to my car, not another train. Last time I came in on #3 (4 hours late) it was nice seeing the Mojave Desert west of Needles and Cajon Pass in daylight.
 
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Yep.

When I rode the SWC westbound in May I was hoping we would be running late so it would be daylight from Barstow to over Cajon Pass.

No joy. We were running about 15 minutes ahead of schedule.
 
Apparently it has lost time because of a freight engine. Sigh. Delays like this, however, are really unacceptable. In December, 2015, I cancelled a reservation from Flagstaff and flew to LA. I agree about seeing normally dark territory and someday will hop on a late train if i don't have other plans. But tonight I have my campground talk to do about Railroads and National Park lodges. You are all invited. Every weekend through Aug. 11. Write me for details!!!!
 
I got a confusing e-mail from Amtrak this morning regarding our upcoming stint on the SWC in the next couple weeks.

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We're also taking the CZ, the CS, and the Surfliner on this trip, and didn't get e-mails about them. I feel like it might be related to the prospective delays, but it doesn't say so? I'm confused. Has anyone else gotten this e-mail before?
 
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I got a confusing e-mail from Amtrak this morning regarding our upcoming stint on the SWC.

s5Js6aMl.jpg


We're also taking the CZ, the CS, and the Surfliner on this trip, and didn't get e-mails about them. I feel like it might be related to the prospective delays, but it doesn't say so? I'm confused. Has anyone else gotten this e-mail before?

Edit: I just remembered we're not supposed to tell when we're going to be on a particular train, I'll re-edit the image and re-post.
You might want to call Amtrak to get more info. I once received a notice that my reservation changed...turned out it was an insignificant (and almost unnoticeable) change in schedule. Worried/concerned when first notified. Relief when I found out it wasn't a big deal
 
I just got off the phone with Amtrak (They really need to improve the sound quality of their hold music, it sounds like it's coming out of someone's cellphone that was dropped into a grain silo) the agent said it was indeed just pertaining to the delays because of track work, she said she'd call over to the department in charge of e-mails and tell them to make their e-mail more clear. I don't know if she really will, but it was a nice thing to say! :lol:
 
I like your grain silo analogy. Reminds me of a comment years ago about Tom Carvel's bumbling ice cream commercials on radio. It was said that his voice ' sounded like muffled laundry in a footlocker ". It was also pointed out that in spite of the amateurish quality, he always said please and thank you.
 
I just got off the phone with Amtrak (They really need to improve the sound quality of their hold music, it sounds like it's coming out of someone's cellphone that was dropped into a grain silo) the agent said it was indeed just pertaining to the delays because of track work, she said she'd call over to the department in charge of e-mails and tell them to make their e-mail more clear. I don't know if she really will, but it was a nice thing to say! :lol:
Love your description of "hold music", LOL!

I'm recalling the drive-thru fast-food commercial...couldn't understand the speaker voices when placing the order. Customer drives up to the pickup window and that is how the employees actually talked!
 
I just got off the phone with Amtrak (They really need to improve the sound quality of their hold music, it sounds like it's coming out of someone's cellphone that was dropped into a grain silo) the agent said it was indeed just pertaining to the delays because of track work, she said she'd call over to the department in charge of e-mails and tell them to make their e-mail more clear. I don't know if she really will, but it was a nice thing to say! :lol:
Thanks for the heads up. I received similar emails for my upcoming trips on 3 and 4. I also found them confusing, but I figured Amtrak wanted me to know that there will be delays. I am concerned about missing my connection from 4 to 30.
 
I got that email too, but only for the departing 3, not for the returning 4. Since they're about 10 days apart maybe I'll be getting one for the 4 later...I'm not concerned about missing my connection (14) from the 3, only hoping my luggage arrives at the destination when I do, however I get there.
 
I really appreciated being notified of a schedule change one time.

Our records indicate ... you're scheduled to arrive at 6:37. Due to a scheduling change, you are now scheduled to arrive ar 6:36.
:wacko:
I just now got an email from Amtrak, along with a near heart attack. :eek: . It was a receipt and revised reservation for a trip I'm taking in September, one leg of which is Boston-Chicago on the LSL. I thought sure they had cancelled my Boston-Albany sleeper and I'd be bussed, or, worse yet, have the sleeper cancelled with no alternative transportation. Fortunately, it was nothing more than a slight change to another leg, from St.Albans to Boston, first on the Vermonter and then transferring to Northeast Regional at New Haven. Phew!!! I'm now leaving St. Albans 10 minutes earlier and New Haven 5 minutes later. And as I'm typing this, another email from Amtrak with another receipt and revised reservation!!! :eek: :eek:. Another coronary!!!!! THIS one, however was for the first leg of the journey, BWI to St Albans. Now arriving 10 minutes later. Amtrak can be thorough and concise if need be, I guess.
 
I see that it was held over 8 hours at Raton. Possibly flash floods, as the monsoon season has started in the Southwest. This is a long way from the delay producing track work west of Lamy. Engine failure? The passengers must have dropped some business in the local shops of Raton.
 
I just found on Trainorders that there was engine failure at Raton. SAD!!!! It has a leased locomotive running 3. Maybe I will catch it in downtown Flag in a few hours.
 
I just found on Trainorders that there was engine failure at Raton. SAD!!!! It has a leased locomotive running 3. Maybe I will catch it in downtown Flag in a few hours.
Thanks. Gosh this route has been jinxed lately!
 
Finally figured out why I got the email. They've extended the estimated track work delays through Sept. 4th. The notice also says that guaranteed connections are suspended, which I didn't know (but should have). And so far this month it's had a miss rate of 70% for the 14.

I thought about switching to the SL but it's a longer drive to get there and costs a lot more. It would actually be cheaper to stay a night in LA on my own dime and take the 14 next morning. I'm gonna check to see if the alternatives accept checked luggage; what I'm bringing is too much for me to have to drag around.
 
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