California Zephyr discussion 2023 Q4 - 2024

[amtk821]

Does anyone have any new information about the Zephyr derailment in Keenesburg, CO a few months back?

Is the consist still out there? I haven’t heard about it being moved yet, and neither 816 or 41 have been seen since, not even at Beech Grove Shops.

Trains Magazine ran an article claiming Amtrak and BNSF were suing the dairy company, but there’s been no updates since then.

Hoping the engineer made a full recovery.

 

[Agent]

There's a report from last month on another website (login needed for full-size photos) from a person that flew over the site that states that all of the train's cars and engines were still stored on the tracks of an oil facility that was next to the location of the incident.

 

[5280 Guy]

I hope they charged the milk truck driver.

 

[Agent]

And now High Plains Model Railroad Club posted a video from today of a BNSF engine with a buffer car and a BNSF inspection car leading what I'm guessing are the cars that have been waiting near Keenesburg.

 

[Amtrak25]

Which BNSF rail line is that, I assume not the one 5&6 use ?

 

[railiner]

Which BNSF rail line is that, I assume not the one 5&6 use ?

The caption says near Bartley, NE….that is east of McCook, on the regular Zephyr route…

 

[Agent]

I caught the deadhead move of cars I'm guessing were involved in the Keenesburg crash east of Ottumwa this morning. For reference, the consist was:
BNSF 3736 ET44C4
BNSF 808382 buffer car
BNSF 90 geometry car
AMTK 61049 baggage car
AMTK 39046 transition dormitory car
AMTK 32011 sleeping car
AMTK 32060 sleeping car
AMTK 38024 dining car
AMTK 33031 sightseer lounge
AMTK 34032 coach
AMTK 35007 snack coach

 

[amtk821]

With this, I think we can say for sure these cars are the ones from Keenesburg. A quick google search brings up this picture, showing car 39046 derailed there, which is one that Agent listed above.

 

[west point]

Maybe Amtrak is short of crews for where the accident occurred. It may have wanted consist at Beech ASAP? Anyone know if engineer involved has come back to work?

 

[Jackie C]

I booked my travel a few months ago and today I checked my ticket again and it changed from roomette number five to roomette number eight on the California Zephyr car 531. does anyone know why they would change my room?

 

[Bob Dylan]

I booked my travel a few months ago and today I checked my ticket again and it changed from roomette number five to roomette number eight on the California Zephyr car 531. does anyone know why they would change my room?

This happens frequently, usually someone wants to book two Roomettes Close together, or 2 Bedrooms that become a Suite.

Also sometimes Rooms are taken out of service for Mechanical defects or equipment is replaced by another car!

 

[Cal]

Is the 531 car closest to the diner?

 

[UserNameRequired]

Is the 531 car closest to the diner?

I have read if there are two sleepers, then the 31 is closest to the diner. Over the years or seasons, if there ended up being 3 sleepers, historically it ended up with the 30 number and then it was closest to the diner. Last I was riding CZ sleeper so we could take masks off in 2022, we were in the 32 or 40 car otherwise we ride coach for CZ to go to/from CHI.

 

[Willbridge]

I have read if there are two sleepers, then the 31 is closest to the diner. Over the years or seasons, if there ended up being 3 sleepers, historically it ended up with the 30 number and then it was closest to the diner. Last I was riding CZ sleeper so we could take masks off in 2022, we were in the 32 or 40 car otherwise we ride coach for CZ to go to/from CHI.

The third sleeper -- when running DEN<>CHI and sometimes nicknamed the Denver Zephyr -- on the end of the train is numbered 30, or at least it was in 2014 when this photo was taken.