California Zephyr Winter 2017 Delays

[scoostraw]

Just called Amtrak. Seems there was a miscommunication - we could have been on that train. Don't know why agent didn't tell us there was an estimated departure of 2:30. Never look back!

No excuse for screwing up like that. Good thing it worked out for you to wait a day.

Have a good trip man. Please give us a report!

 

[User38]

We're on the 6 leaving Emeryville - on time - yay!

 

[Rover]

#6 left Truckee EB at 4:17PM with 2 engines + 9 cars.

 

[chakk]

I think you mean #6. Number 5 went thru Truckee around noon today

 

[Rover]

I think you mean #6. Number 5 went thru Truckee around noon today

Yes, Thank You.

 

[Blackwolf]

Both 5 and 6 went into service disruption last night, and the Winter Park Express for today (3/11) is cancelled. Something about a track closure? Any information?

 

[PRR 60]

Both 5 and 6 went into service disruption last night, and the Winter Park Express for today (3/11) is cancelled. Something about a track closure? Any information?

Per Trainorders, a UP derailment about 36 miles west of Denver with between five and ten cars overturned.

 

[Blackwolf]

Both 5 and 6 went into service disruption last night, and the Winter Park Express for today (3/11) is cancelled. Something about a track closure? Any information?

Per Trainorders, a UP derailment about 36 miles west of Denver with between five and ten cars overturned.

Thanks for that information. To say I'm suddenly very nervous is an understatement, since I head East tomorrow on #6 with a connection in Chicago. Getting through to anyone at Amtrak is insanity, as wait times are in excess of an hour by phone.

 

[Blackwolf]

I don't have a Facebook account, but I guess there are photos of the UP derailment posted? Sounding like a mess, with the grounded train in a narrow canyon and potentially also inside tunnel 27... Inaccessible location. Another rumor puts the #5 being held in Denver on a detour through Wyoming, and the #6(3/10) will annul possibly at Grand Junction.

 

[bmjhagen9426]

If #6 will turn at Grand Junction, then in theory #5 should also turn in Denver. Even without the pictures, sounds like a perfect storm that can impact the CZ for several days, if not a week or so.

 

[keelhauled]

Both trains are inching their way across Colorado though, so apparently the tracks are passable, or at least expected to be so.

 

[Blackwolf]

Both trains are inching their way across Colorado though, so apparently the tracks are passable, or at least expected to be so.

Aye, it would appear so. #5 is now past the derailment location and chugging west at 30 mph, but nearly 7 hours down. Interestingly, #5 (3/9) is also running exceptionally late, at 7.5 hours late into Reno right now. No service disruption, but it lost nearly 7 hours of running time in Colorado, and made it through the Rockies before the UP derailment. Since that will turn to be my #6 (3/12) tomorrow, I fully anticipate both a dirty train and a surly/zero-cares-given OBS crew for the next two and a half days. :help:

 

[chakk]

Your #6 will get thru, either at a somewhat slower pace past the derailment site in Colorado, or at a FASTER pace by detouring between Salt Lake City and Denver via Wyoming. And your crews will not likely be surly.

 

[west point]

Ski train made it thru arriving WPR 5 minutes early.

 

[Blackwolf]

#6 (3/12) is not starting off well. An hour late, and has not left Emeryville for some reason.

 

[Thirdrail7]

#6 (3/12) is not starting off well. An hour late, and has not left Emeryville for some reason.

Is is extremely likely that is due to a late turn of equipment and crews off 5(9).

 

[DesertDude]

#6 is currently running 4 hours late through northern NV. A friend of mine is on the train and said there was a medical emergency (sadly the passenger died).

 

[bmjhagen9426]

Okay. snow is melting at a fast rate, and Northern Nevada is under Flood Warning...again. Anyone knows how this will affect the CZ for the upcoming week or two?

 

[Tennessee Traveler]

Don't know about the flooding, but Amtrak 6(17) was five hours late departing Emeryville today. Unusual in that yesterday's CZ 5 arrived on time at 4:01 PM. Anyone know what happened?

 

[Steve4031]

I read on trainorders that the baggage car derailed during switching moves for inbound 5 that became delayed 6.

 

[bmjhagen9426]

Update on flooding in Northern Nevada: The Humboldt River at Winnemucca-Comus is expected to get to major flooding by Wed, and Battle Mountain is also apporaching major flooding, although at a slower rate. Fingers crossed as to how the Zephyr might be affected by this snowmelt flooding, this could get interesting.

 

[Rover]

Things were running smoothly enough for the Westbound #5 to roll into Truckee this morning at 9:32am.

 

[chakk]

Interesting that the Humboldt River is flooding first at the downstream location (Winnemucca) before upstream at Battle Mtn. Must be lots of snow melting in between these two hamlets.