2019 CA Zephyr Snow/Weather Delays

AMTRAK ALERTS POSTED SUN 3/17/19

UPDATE: California Zephyr Train 6 which departed Emeryville (EMY) on SUN 3/17 is on the move and currently operating about 9 hr 22 min late.

SERVICE ALERT: California Zephyr Train 6 departing Emeryville (EMY) on MON 3/18 is canceled in its entirely due to ongoing flooding problems.

SERVICE ALERT: California Zephyr Trains are suspended between Denver & Chicago SUN March 17th until Wednesday March 20th due to continuous flooding. No alternative transportation will be provided.

SERVICE ALERT: Due to continuous flooding Train 6 which departed Emeryville (EMY) on FRI 3/15 will return to Omaha (OMA). Buses will take passengers who are currently on the train to their destinations. Buses will not be provided for anyone who was to board the train east of Omaha.

I'm guessing that when #6 3/16 arrives in Devner, that that will be it, and it will become #5 3/18.

So anyone planning on traveling from Sacramento to Reno for some spring break skiing today, sorry, you can't go because there's flooding... in Nebraska.

Hell of a way to run a railroad.

Yes it a great way to run a railroad.

This issue is a recurring one. Some of it due to host railroad issues, such as trains back up clogging the line. Most of it is due general lazy attitude towards get it done. Cancel a two or three day train because one part of the route has issues, such as the extreme cold weather in Chicago recently is becoming common.

This is, of course, the reason why breaking the CZ into two trains at Denver would be *beneficial*. Can't do it without servicing facilities at Denver which don't exist, however.

When Amtrak 6 (16) was en route to Chicago, Amtrak decided to terminate it in Denver. Amtrak said that for the 6 (15), that it's termination in Omaha would be accompanied with Bus Service with no Stops missed, but no new passengers, through to Chicago on any buses.

Anyone know what happened for the 6 (16) passengers that had their trip stopped in Denver ? Were they also provided bus service??

SERVICE ALERT: California Zephyr Train 5 departing Chicago between 3/21-3/25 will operate on the segment from Chicago to Omaha on a detoured route due to ongoing flooding. The following stops will be missed with no alternative transportation: CRN, OSC, OTM, MTP, BRL, GBB, PCT & NPV.

SERVICE ALERT: California Zephyr Train 6 departing Emeryville (EMY) between 3/20-3/23 will operate on the segment from Omaha to Chicago on a detoured route due to ongoing flooding. The following stops will be missed with no alternative transportation: CRN, OSC, OTM, MTP, BRL, GBB, PCT & NPV.

https://www.amtrak.com/alert/california-zephyr-service-disruption.html

California Zephyr Service Disruption
March 20, 2019 03:15 PM


Amtrak Detours California Zephyr Trains Due to Flooding

Trains will operate without scheduled stops between Chicago and Omaha

Historic flood levels on the Amtrak California Zephyr route owned by BNSF Railway between Chicago and Omaha have led to a temporary track closure. Amtrak is restoring service between those cities and Denver, effective Thursday, March 21, by detouring over a Union Pacific Railroad route in Illinois and Iowa.

This detour is to the north of the regular route and results in a temporary suspension of service to Burlington, Mt. Pleasant, Ottumwa, Osceola and Creston, Iowa. The Illinois stops missed by the detour at Naperville, Princeton and Galesburg are served by other Amtrak trains.

Amtrak thanks both host railroads for their work to enable the California Zephyr to restore Amtrak service to and from Chicago and Omaha, Lincoln, Denver and intermediate stops in Nebraska and Colorado.

Anyone planning to travel should check their train status on Amtrak.com or our smartphone apps prior to departing, allow extra time to get to the station and be extremely careful in stations and on platforms.

Customers with reservations on trains that are being modified will typically be accommodated on trains with similar departure times or another day. Amtrak will gladly waive additional charges for customers looking to change their reservation during the modified schedule by calling our reservation center at 800-USA-RAIL.