Trains in the Snow

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jccollins

Conductor
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Nov 2, 2002
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I am planning to take Amtrak's California Zephyr from Martinez, CA to Reno, NV this Friday. There is supposed to be a heavy snowstorm in the Sierras this Friday. While I am looking forward to seeing the snowstorm (without having to drive in it) I am concerned about how the trains usually do in the snow. The news said the paralleing I-80 will either be closed or required chains for the next few days. What do you think? Thanks.
 
I would expect that the train would do ok. It will probably be delayed somewhat. The railroad is used to dealing with these kind of storms on this route, and will have snow plows out to clear the way. Bring your camera, this is a beautiful ride in the snow. I did it one year, but not in a major storm, and it was pretty cool to open the window on the lower level and grab shots of the train going around the curves. Keep in mind, opening the window is agains the rules, and you should ask permission from the attendant.
 
I will be on 5 when it departs Chicago on Friday, November 8 enrouge to grand junction. Our trains should pass between Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction if they are on time. I'll wave. :D
 
Enjoy your trip, as mentioned above the snow allows beautiful pictures.

As for delays, that is one of the advantages of the train, its less prone to weather delays, and is of course safer to be in, in that kind of weather.
 
I had my only winter Amtrak trip (Cardinal from Chicago to Clifton Forge, VA just before Christmas 2000) cancelled because of sub-zero temperatures but not snow. Equipment had frozen up. I hope you're temperatures don't get too cold. I'd love to take a trip on the Zephyr during the winter months.

seajay
 
Steve4031 said:
I would expect that the train would do ok. It will probably be delayed somewhat. The railroad is used to dealing with these kind of storms on this route, and will have snow plows out to clear the way. Bring your camera, this is a beautiful ride in the snow. I did it one year, but not in a major storm, and it was pretty cool to open the window on the lower level and grab shots of the train going around the curves. Keep in mind, opening the window is agains the rules, and you should ask permission from the attendant.
I definitely agree with you Steve. While I have been known to open up the window on the Viewliners while we sit (or the vestibule door on an Amfleet II) the crews know me and trust me enough to do this. Definitely ask permission!
 
JCCollins, be sure and report back to us what actually does happen about the weather and the train....I would like to know.....I have often wanted to take that trip in the beautiful snow but have not been sure what actually happens....I have read reports both ways. I did take a winter trip once on the CZ and there were problems with the track washing away, but not a snow problem....we had to be re-routed on buses.It had been raining and flooding nonstop for several days.

Just plain, beautiful snow without any complications should not bother the train too much.
 
We took our honeymoon in February, 1994 in Vermont, which involved taking the Silver Meteor from Miami to New York, then a Metroliner to Boston. From Delaware to Boston, it snowed nonstop, and the temperatures were subzero in Vermont. The Silver Meteor was a little late, but not much, though the Metroliner took more than five hours to get from New York to Boston . Needless to say, the Metroliner was standing room only. My wife and I got the last two seats, but then a pregnant woman boarded and I ended up giving up my seat. I really did not want to, but being a new husband, I figured my bride's turn would come one day and I would want someone else to do the same for her. :rolleyes:
 
Chatter163 said:
We took our honeymoon in February, 1994 in Vermont, which involved taking the Silver Meteor from Miami to New York, then a Metroliner to Boston. From Delaware to Boston, it snowed nonstop, and the temperatures were subzero in Vermont. The Silver Meteor was a little late, but not much, though the Metroliner took more than five hours to get from New York to Boston . Needless to say, the Metroliner was standing room only. My wife and I got the last two seats, but then a pregnant woman boarded and I ended up giving up my seat. I really did not want to, but being a new husband, I figured my bride's turn would come one day and I would want someone else to do the same for her. :rolleyes:
Metroliners never went to Boston, you must mean Northeast Direct, which I believe at the time offered the same levels of service (Club, Custom) plus Coach.
 
Trains can and do indeed have problems in the snow; it really depends on a few things. How fast the snow falls, how deep is the snow, and how cold is it.

A sudden rapid snowfall over 10-12 inches within a few hours can often cause problems, as the crews can’t clear the tracks fast enough. When the snow falls at a slower rate, the crews can keep up with plowing and clearing switches, plus the normal passage of trains also helps to keep the tracks clear.

As the depth of the snowfall increases it also gets harder for the crews to keep up, not to mention that you have no place to push and/or blow the snow to. So again this can cause a train to be canceled, delayed, and/or rerouted.

Finally the temperature can play a big roll, as the closer the temperature gets to freezing the wetter the snow gets. Wet snow tends to be more slippery and harder to move first of all. Secondly if the temperature falls later on it can lead to freezing on the switches. This prevents the switch from moving. Of course even loose snow packed in between the points of the switch can hamper it’s proper movement, however ice is even harder to clear than is plain snow.

All railroads actually have a rating system in place to determine the severity of the snowfall and it’s impact on operations. Each level determines what trains are allowed to move and which trains are sidetracked. At the highest level, only perishables and passenger operations are allowed to keep moving. Even then they attempt to limit the amount of switching as much as possible from one track to another, and trains can still be annulled and/or stranded if conditions deteriorate further. Those levels also determine at what point the railroad invokes Force Majure, which cancels all on time guarantees.

Amtrak does have a pretty good record in the snow, but they have been forced to cancel trains in the past. Amtrak's record of getting through however, is far superior to that of the Airlines.

Hopefully the snowfall that you see will be light and just enhance the scenery, without interfering with operations. :)
 
Thank you, everyone, for the tips and advice. I am definitely looking forward to the trip and will let you know how it went when I return on Monday. Thanks!
 
I saw 6 today when it made its stop in Sacramento. It was running a bit late (30-60 minutes). First the forecast is worse for tonight then last night so you'll be at the buffet or in the casino before you really need to worry about the weather, except for the wind gusts. Second, I've heard that the ride through the Sierra is monotonously slow (something like 15 mph through the Donner Pass). Weather could slow you down a bit. I don't know if that area is single or double tracked to worry about switches. Third, you had 3 locos, but I'd be more worried about the 10 amboxes on the back slowing you down :) Enjoy the trip!
 
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