That;s actually not that bad. Did you overtake the freight coming out of KCY? It would stink to get blocked through the night on single-track across the plains.Well, it was 20 minutes late when I caught the train at fort Madison. Now 30 minutes late leaving Kansas city.
At BNSF at least, I can't speak for other RR's, there is a "dispatcher" job that is filled 24/7. This person's job isn't to actually dispatch any trains, but rather to monitor all Amtrak trains on BNSF tracks and the dispatchers that are controlling those trains. The person in this position has the authority to override the local dispatcher and order that person to put a freight train in the hole to move Amtrak by it.That dispatcher probably hates Amtrak but can't openly give freights priority, so he used this occasion to slow down the SWC.
I know, but I mean that he could have found an excuse. He won't just do it any day, but he used this occasion. Or maybe the supervisor was the guy that hates Amtrak.At BNSF at least, I can't speak for other RR's, there is a "dispatcher" job that is filled 24/7. This person's job isn't to actually dispatch any trains, but rather to monitor all Amtrak trains on BNSF tracks and the dispatchers that are controlling those trains. The person in this position has the authority to override the local dispatcher and order that person to put a freight train in the hole to move Amtrak by it.That dispatcher probably hates Amtrak but can't openly give freights priority, so he used this occasion to slow down the SWC.
So it is highly unlikely that any dispatcher who just happened to hate Amtrak would deliberately pull such a stunt, as it would be noticed and he/she would be ordered to stop playing games.
It's real simple; if you're on BNSF and you're running late then it's either because Amtrak got to BNSF late or there are conditions or circumstances beyond the dispatchers control. Yes, the builder has suffered of late because of the shear volume of traffic now running on that line. That's an example of things beyond the dispatcher's control. But BNSF works real hard to to keep Amtrak on time.I know, but I mean that he could have found an excuse. He won't just do it any day, but he used this occasion. Or maybe the supervisor was the guy that hates Amtrak.At BNSF at least, I can't speak for other RR's, there is a "dispatcher" job that is filled 24/7. This person's job isn't to actually dispatch any trains, but rather to monitor all Amtrak trains on BNSF tracks and the dispatchers that are controlling those trains. The person in this position has the authority to override the local dispatcher and order that person to put a freight train in the hole to move Amtrak by it.That dispatcher probably hates Amtrak but can't openly give freights priority, so he used this occasion to slow down the SWC.
So it is highly unlikely that any dispatcher who just happened to hate Amtrak would deliberately pull such a stunt, as it would be noticed and he/she would be ordered to stop playing games.
I would agree 30 minutes for a LD train is nothing. But if he actually followed a freight all the way from FMD, I doubt it will continue on the single-track segment across Kansas. We are constantly told there is almost no freight traffic west of Newton.That;s actually not that bad. Did you overtake the freight coming out of KCY? It would stink to get blocked through the night on single-track across the plains.
Where do you get the notion that anyone involved "hates Amtrak"? A train is delayed, and suddenly it means someone hates Amtrak.I know, but I mean that he could have found an excuse. He won't just do it any day, but he used this occasion. Or maybe the supervisor was the guy that hates Amtrak.At BNSF at least, I can't speak for other RR's, there is a "dispatcher" job that is filled 24/7. This person's job isn't to actually dispatch any trains, but rather to monitor all Amtrak trains on BNSF tracks and the dispatchers that are controlling those trains. The person in this position has the authority to override the local dispatcher and order that person to put a freight train in the hole to move Amtrak by it.That dispatcher probably hates Amtrak but can't openly give freights priority, so he used this occasion to slow down the SWC.
So it is highly unlikely that any dispatcher who just happened to hate Amtrak would deliberately pull such a stunt, as it would be noticed and he/she would be ordered to stop playing games.
'Cause the freight blocked the pax train when it wasn't supposed to.Where do you get the notion that anyone involved "hates Amtrak"? A train is delayed, and suddenly it means someone hates Amtrak.I know, but I mean that he could have found an excuse. He won't just do it any day, but he used this occasion. Or maybe the supervisor was the guy that hates Amtrak.At BNSF at least, I can't speak for other RR's, there is a "dispatcher" job that is filled 24/7. This person's job isn't to actually dispatch any trains, but rather to monitor all Amtrak trains on BNSF tracks and the dispatchers that are controlling those trains. The person in this position has the authority to override the local dispatcher and order that person to put a freight train in the hole to move Amtrak by it.That dispatcher probably hates Amtrak but can't openly give freights priority, so he used this occasion to slow down the SWC.
So it is highly unlikely that any dispatcher who just happened to hate Amtrak would deliberately pull such a stunt, as it would be noticed and he/she would be ordered to stop playing games.
That doesn't necessarily mean much, there are times when it is advantageous for Amtrak to follow a freight train or even take a siding while one or more freight trains continues on the mainline (for instance, if Amtrak is the only one that will fit in the siding or if the freight entering into the siding would delay Amtrak longer than letting it proceed on the main). In addition, if it would screw the network to give Amtrak precedence, they are not legally required to give Amtrak precedence (and coming in late is a very good way to cause that). Quite frankly, without knowledge of what went on or why, saying that somebody "hates Amtrak trains" is silly and unjustifiable.'Cause the freight blocked the pax train when it wasn't supposed to.
Late to the party here, but I will point out for future reference that there is time in the schedule for the LAX-bound Chief to stop at the fuel racks in the Argentine Yard. This is *after* the station stop in Kansas City.Well, they are giving us some poor dispatching tonight. Watching Freights pass by as we attempt to leave Kansas city.
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