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A week after Isidore, railroads prepare for Lili
Railroads serving New Orleans are bracing for the arrival of Hurricane Lili, which was projected to hit the Gulf Coast sometime Thursday, just one week after tropical storm Isidore forced the railroads to suspend operations in the city.
Floodgates around New Orleans – which sits below sea level – were closed at noon today, cutting off rail access to the city. New Orleans is a major gateway between the big Eastern and Western railroads, which combined operate more than 100 trains in and out of the city daily.
Some of the traffic is being diverted via Memphis and St. Louis, while other traffic is being held until the hurricane passes, projected flooding recedes, and any damage is repaired.
Amtrak’s Sunset Limited, City of New Orleans, and Crescent stopped serving New Orleans today.
The Sunset Limited was canceled both eastbound and westbound between New Orleans and San Antonio effective today. Consequently, due to train equipment constraints, the eastbound Sunset Limited will be canceled from Los Angeles Friday. The San Antonio-Los Angeles sections of the Chicago-Los Angeles Texas Eagle will also be canceled Thursday and Friday. No alternative transportation for these canceled trains will be provided.
The southbound City of New Orleans will terminate in Jackson, Miss., today and until service can resume between Jackson and New Orleans.
The Crescent will terminate and originate in Meridian, Miss., until conditions permit resumption of service between New Orleans and Meridian in each direction. No alternate transportation will be provided between Meridian and New Orleans.
