Utah wildfire disrupts the Zephyr east of SLC

[cpotisch]

How fast are they allowed to back up a passenger train like that?

 

[iplaybass]

Also, GJT is staffed while the other stations are not. Plus, I think there are more hotels, restaurants, etc... in GJT then in Helper.

There is almost nothing in Helper. They would have had to bus passengers to Price for food and lodging. Finding a bus out there on short notice could also be challenging.

 

[chakk]

How fast are they allowed to back up a passenger train like that?

If the engines are moved to the front of the equipment and the lead locomotive is facing forward, then normal track speed is permitted.

 

[BuffaloBoy]

How fast are they allowed to back up a passenger train like that?

Restricted speed and just doing the math, the situation we are talking about could not have happened.

 

[cpotisch]

How fast are they allowed to back up a passenger train like that?

If the engines are moved to the front of the equipment and the lead locomotive is facing forward, then normal track speed is permitted.

How'd they turn the locomotives? They usually don't position the P42s back to back, right?

 

[railiner]

How fast are they allowed to back up a passenger train like that?

If the engines are moved to the front of the equipment and the lead locomotive is facing forward, then normal track speed is permitted.

How'd they turn the locomotives? They usually don't position the P42s back to back, right?

Looks like Helper has a loop track....

The name "Helper", is because that is where the D&RGW based helper locomotives to assist heavy trains up the Wasatch grade...

 

[AmtrakBlue]

How fast are they allowed to back up a passenger train like that?

If the engines are moved to the front of the equipment and the lead locomotive is facing forward, then normal track speed is permitted.

How'd they turn the locomotives? They usually don't position the P42s back to back, right?

Looks like Helper has a loop track....The name "Helper", is because that is where the D&RGW based helper locomotives to assist heavy trains up the Wasatch grade...

That was what I thought but wasn’t sure.

 

[cpotisch]

So if there is a loop, why not just turn the whole train? Is this loop too small for that or something?

 

[bmjhagen9426]

There's an interactive map of the fires. The tracks follow US-6 for much of the trip through Spanish Fork canyon, and as of today (Wed, Sep 19), it appears US-6 is still closed. If it's closed to car traffic, I imagine it's closed to rail traffic. At least intermittently.

Edit to add quote from Sep 18 9pm update: "Highway 6 and Highway 89 will remain closed indefinitely." as the fire on the north side of the freeway is currently quite active. Source from the Spanish Fork side of things.

It's frustrating that Amtrak's service alerts page is seldom ever updated for the Zephyr. This is a pretty significant disruption affecting many stops and people's sightseeing expectations! One would think Amtrak could keep a blurb or two up there daily to alert people to what is going on. I guess it's run through there OK today, at least eastbound.

Looking at the sources that you provided, it looks like there are two fires near that area: the smaller Bald Creek (18000 acres), and the larger Pole Creek (98000 acres), of which the latter is the more concern. The Pole Creek, as of yesterday, is 32% contained, and Highways 6 and 89 have reopened. Forests are closed, but residents may return home but are in pre-evac status.