#8 is running

[GlobalistPotato]

Well this is interesting... The eastbound Empire Builder (#8) is running again!

According to the Amtrak Status Maps, it just left Libby, MT and it is ON TIME.

 

[JayPea]

Well this is interesting... The eastbound Empire Builder (#8) is running again!

According to the Amtrak Status Maps, it just left Libby, MT and it is ON TIME.

It has been running as far as Havre, MT, since about the 24th of June, and turning there.

 

[Acela150]

Well this is interesting... The eastbound Empire Builder (#8) is running again!

According to the Amtrak Status Maps, it just left Libby, MT and it is ON TIME.

It has been running as far as Havre, MT, since about the 24th of June, and turning there.

According to the schedule on Amtrak Status Maps it's running through to CHI. Not sure if it is but just might be.

 

[TraneMan]

Well this is interesting... The eastbound Empire Builder (#8) is running again!

According to the Amtrak Status Maps, it just left Libby, MT and it is ON TIME.

It has been running as far as Havre, MT, since about the 24th of June, and turning there.

According to the schedule on Amtrak Status Maps it's running through to CHI. Not sure if it is but just might be.

Someone on FB posted a photo of EB leaving SEA and thought this was the full east run....???

 

[NY Penn]

According to the schedule on Amtrak Status Maps it's running through to CHI. Not sure if it is but just might be.

It always displays the same schedule, whether or not it's running all the way.

However, this is the first time in maybe 2 weeks that the western stub train has not been a Service Disruption. Maybe it is going through to CHI?

 

[Ispolkom]

Amtrak.com won't sell you a SEA-CHI ticket on the Empire Builder on any train before Sunday's.

 

[NY Penn]

According to Status Maps, Train 8 to CHI has departed Havre! Over one hour late, but still.

 

[Bob Dylan]

According to Status Maps, Train 8 to CHI has departed Havre! Over one hour late, but still.

Since Revenue Service isn't supposed to begin on the Full Route till Sun the 17th and Mon the 18th, Id venture a guess that this might be a Test Train/Equipment Move (with no pax) to get ready for the Startup this weekend! Of course there still will be Detours around Minot for the foreseeable future, so expect Late to Very Late Builders for awhile! :help:

 

[anir dendroica]

No detours planned; the train simply will not be receiving or discharging passengers at the Minot station until repairs are complete (though it will pass by the station and will probably stop nearby for a crew change).

I see no evidence that #8 went past Havre today; the "departure" time was probably just a data entry error. #7 and #8 have been occasionally showing up on the maps during the disruption. The status file will always display the entire schedule, even if the train will not be traveling the whole route.

The fact that they are starting #8 one day earlier than #7 probably means that there are currently three trainsets based out of PDX/SEA and two based out of Chicago. If they had three in Chicago they could start service in both directions on the same day.