Wont take the prize but my biggest delay was on the EB #8 from SEA-CHI, the Cascade tunnel was shut down due to a freight being dead in the tunnel so we sat for 5 hours. Finally got going 5 hours down which was OK since we got to seelots of Cascade scenery in the daylight (this was in July) instead of the dark! Once we got to Glacier a freight had derailed so we held for 3 more hours waiting to hear what was going to happen? The SCA told us that none of the phones worked but that they thought we MIGHT get bussed to North Dakota sometime as soon as busses could arrive!
We were allowed off the train even though it was in the middle of nowhere which the AC told us was not usual practice!
Eventually the all aboard was sounded and we rolled out heading east now 8 hours down, the conductor told the OBS to spread the word that wed run the rest of the way and try to make up time as we went! Meals were served, the train was a normal ride, just 8 hours down!
Eventually we were told that in MSP Amtrak would let all the pax know what they were going to do as to connections in CHI/local pax etc. When we reached MSP we only stayed about 20 minutes, rolled out and they announced that Amtrak staff would board in CBS to inform us of what they planned? The MSP pax had already been bussed to CHI that normally boarded here! Since it was now approaching noon we knew we that the chances of making lots of connections in CHI was slim and none, the diner staff told us beef stew would be served to all pax that wanted it for dinner! When
we reached CBS Amtrak staff did board and went to the diner where everyone with connections in CHI was told to go line up for info on what was gonna happen!
We were fairly far back in line ( there were only 2 agents for like 400 pax), but I listened as folks were being told, youll be bussed, youll be put up for the night in hotels in CHI with transportation and meals paid, (the Cardinal and CAP Ltd.
pax were this group), the LSL pax were told the train would be held if we werent anymore late , hopefully wed gain time
to CHI! When my turn came, they said we were the only pax aboard for the CONO which left @ 8PM, wed have to see
how it went, come back after Milwaukee! We pulled in Milwaukee, only a very brief stop to detrain pax and rolled out fairly fast!
The run to CHI was very fast, we never stopped again, pulled into the yards, rolled up under the shed and they had golf carts and staff and redcaps waiting, it was now 8PM so the CL pax and LSL crowd were taken to the Lounge and we were
led to the CONO, put aboard, given a Bedroom (C!!!
)instead of our roomette, we were sent to the diner by our SCA and we very shortly rolled out for NOL while eating a nice hot dinner even if it was a CCC!! The bourbon pecan pie was great, the trip was non eventful, once we got home I contacted Customer Relations, was sent a voucher for $100 for future travel so even though the trip was an adventure and worrisome for everyone, we were lucky that it worked out and the Amtrak staff did a great job!!!
(so we ended up only 3 hours down on time into CHI which is fantastic!!)