What does a train do in heavy snow?

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Casinocim

Lead Service Attendant
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I saw the storm warnings for New Mexico last night and thought it would be fun to be on the SWC. Mentioned this to my mom and she asked how the train handles going through the snow.

Can the SWC go through inches of snow? Does it have to wait until tracks are cleared?

Then started thinking would it be fun or a nightmare of delays?
 
I saw the storm warnings for New Mexico last night and thought it would be fun to be on the SWC. Mentioned this to my mom and she asked how the train handles going through the snow.

Can the SWC go through inches of snow? Does it have to wait until tracks are cleared?

Then started thinking would it be fun or a nightmare of delays?
The biggest issue with trains and snow is not physically getting the train to plow through the snow (unless we're talking feet of snow), but the effects of the snow on electric power for signals and grade crossings and whether the snow or ice has caused problems with switches. Also an issue is getting crews to the train, particularly if a train is delayed to a degree that requires a new crew to take over at other than a normal crew change point.

If a storm is really bad, as in blizzard white-out conditions, then Amtrak elect might hold or cancel the train in order to ensure passenger safety. If anything were to happen to a train in a remote location in a true blizzard, getting help there could be difficult. The owner-railroad, in this case BNSF, also has a say. They may elect to shut down the tracks rather than risk having a train head out in a really bad storm.
 
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It's rare to have a passenger train completely stranded by snow but it does happen occasionally. Although these days it's probable that the dispatchers would simply hold the train short instead of sending it along like they may have done in the old days.

 
On my first Christmas trip, we got slowed by lake effect snow near Buffalo on the LSL. So it can slow things down, but I think that has more to do with all of the trains getting slowed and slotting getting shot to hell than it does actual operational trouble.

I've actually sorta wanted to ride in an Acela during a decent snow, just for what I suspect would be an impressive show.
 
Extreme cold can be a problem too. I once lost four hours in Devils Lake, ND (four hours I'll never get back) because of a frozen switch.
 
Two years ago I rode the Empire Builder from Minot to St. Paul on a night where a three-day blizzard had closed the interstates across the entire state, closed the Minot airport to any travel, led the state highway patrol to recommend no travel anywhere in the state and forced me to walk to the depot, since there was no getting a car through the 4-5 foot snowdrifts across the streets. The day before the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force had to ride a snowplow down to the train station to catch the westbound Empire Builder, since the airbase was closed.

The train, lead by a BNSF freight locomotive with snowplow and three Amtrak P42s, had no problem getting through the snow, but you could feel the cars bunch up and then stretch out again as the train punched through the snowdrifts. We were an hour late out of Minot, and two hours late to St. Paul, but I've been later in good weather. Since it was the Christmas weekend, I'm sure that there were many fewer freight trains in the system, easing our passage.
 
I'd much rather be on a train getting to my destination - maybe a little late - than stuck at the airport for the next flight out with seats available! (In a week!
ohmy.gif
And sleeping at the airport!
ohmy.gif
)
 
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Heavy falling snow can cause electrical ground faults in the locomotive's traction and dynamic braking systems occasionally as well, they're easily reset though.
 
Two years ago I rode the Empire Builder from Minot to St. Paul on a night where a three-day blizzard had closed the interstates across the entire state, closed the Minot airport to any travel, led the state highway patrol to recommend no travel anywhere in the state and forced me to walk to the depot, since there was no getting a car through the 4-5 foot snowdrifts across the streets. The day before the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force had to ride a snowplow down to the train station to catch the westbound Empire Builder, since the airbase was closed.

The train, lead by a BNSF freight locomotive with snowplow and three Amtrak P42s, had no problem getting through the snow, but you could feel the cars bunch up and then stretch out again as the train punched through the snowdrifts. We were an hour late out of Minot, and two hours late to St. Paul, but I've been later in good weather. Since it was the Christmas weekend, I'm sure that there were many fewer freight trains in the system, easing our passage.
Boy wasn't that the winter? There were cars and trucks that were completely buried in the Minot depot parking lot. Before they gave up trying to clear the parking lot the maintenance crew had built up a mountain of snow about 20 feet high. That was crazy.
 
Boy wasn't that the winter? There were cars and trucks that were completely buried in the Minot depot parking lot. Before they gave up trying to clear the parking lot the maintenance crew had built up a mountain of snow about 20 feet high. That was crazy.
And that wasn't as snowy as last winter...

We head to Minot on #7 on Friday night. This Christmas Minot has bare ground and highs in the 30s. That's just weird.
 
I'd much rather be on a train getting to my destination - maybe a little late - than stuck at the airport for the next flight out with seats available! (In a week!
ohmy.gif
And sleeping at the airport!
ohmy.gif
)
This is precisely the reason we will always, always, always use Amtrak for Christmas travels. I hear horror stories about flights getting delayed/canceled every single year.
 
I'd much rather be on a train getting to my destination - maybe a little late - than stuck at the airport for the next flight out with seats available! And sleeping at the airport!
This is precisely the reason we will always, always, always use Amtrak for Christmas travels. I hear horror stories about flights getting delayed/canceled every single year.
Then again there are more primary options (such as routes and carriers) and secondary resources (such as hotels for sleeping and car rentals for personal travel) at most airports than there are at most train stations. It's true that airport areas can still run out rooms and cars and such, but I'm not sure that's quite as bad as never having any of that in the first place.
 
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I'd much rather be on a train getting to my destination - maybe a little late - than stuck at the airport for the next flight out with seats available! And sleeping at the airport!
This is precisely the reason we will always, always, always use Amtrak for Christmas travels. I hear horror stories about flights getting delayed/canceled every single year.
Then again there are more primary options (such as routes and carriers) and secondary resources (such as hotels for sleeping and car rentals for personal travel) at most airports than there are at most train stations. It's true that airport areas can still run out rooms and cars and such, but I'm not sure that's quite as bad as never having any of that in the first place.
That is true. I should have qualified my statement. We leave from Chicago, so we have multiple options if Amtrak is delayed/canceled.
 
We head to Minot on #7 on Friday night. This Christmas Minot has bare ground and highs in the 30s. That's just weird.
Came back to town last weekend by air and the pilot announced it as believe it or not 45 degree Minneapolis. I and seemingly 150 of our neighbors will be joining you Friday night, going to be a packed and hopefully timely train.
 
I'd much rather be on a train getting to my destination - maybe a little late - than stuck at the airport for the next flight out with seats available! (In a week!
ohmy.gif
And sleeping at the airport!
ohmy.gif
)
This is precisely the reason we will always, always, always use Amtrak for Christmas travels. I hear horror stories about flights getting delayed/canceled every single year.

Doesnt always work-I had a trip back to CHI from Minot last Feb, where the Builder was late 19 hours due to snow. I went back to bed, woke up the next morning, and caught a Delta flight to Ohare befoer the Builder even GOT to Minot. No more business travel for me on Amtrak unfortunately, having to bite the bullet and buy a last minute plane ticket cured me!
 
What does a train do in heavy snow?
It turns white! :lol:
Except in NYC, because of the slush. :rolleyes: :giggle: :lol:

Aloha
Hey, even here in NYC the snow is white when it first falls. Depending on the amount and the temps, it may take a day or two before we have slush.
Is that cause all the Snow Removal Workers call in Sick when it snows in the City???!1 :lol: :lol: :lol: (Mayor Bloomberg just hates that!!!!)
 
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The real question you should ask yourself is "what should I do if the train gets snowbound". Here are some measures:

  1. Ask the SCA if there is someone named Hercule Poirot in your car. If so, ask the conductor to move you to another car because Agatha Christie might make you the one whose murder Hercule has to investigate.
  2. Ask The LSA about food availability. If he/she says it is limited, lock your door (or lock yourself in a restroom if in coach) to protect yourself and look around for tasty passengers. Do NOT encourage the frindship of anyone carrying around a knife and fork or hatchet.
  3. If you are expecting snow, be sure to keep the spare firewood in your carry-on luggage. It is rare that conductors will be willing to go to the baggage car to get yours unless he/she is really cold.
  4. Amtrak rules prohibit soliciting contracts for freezer storage service. It would not be a good idea to get thrown off the train at that point for violating rules.
  5. Don't order the ice cream for dessert at dinner time. It will never thaw.
  6. Don't be suckered by someone on the train trying to sell you cold sore medicine. While it helps cold sores, it does NOT keep you warm.
  7. Don't let your husband/boyfriend convince you he is being a gentlemen by telling you it is "Women and children first" when volunteers are needed to look for rescue.
  8. When boarding, claim your St. Bernard is a service animal just in case. But don't hang a bottle of Tequila around its neck especially if it is just a stuffed animal.It will never fly.
  9. Bring a shovel as carry-on. Better yet, bring a bulldozer or Sno-Cat.
 
just last night I had a rather vivid dream about being snowbound on a train. the sleeping compartments were beautiful, old-fashioned cars with wood paneling. it was a marvelous dream! :)
 
I've actually sorta wanted to ride in an Acela during a decent snow, just for what I suspect would be an impressive show.
Oh yeah! I had the opportunity to ride a Northeast Regional from Phila to DC in January this year after my flight was cancelled by Delta two days in a row due to a heavy snowstorm that hit the entire Northeast. Though not Acela, here are two video I took showing pretty close to that, my NE Regional merrily sprinting at 100-120 mph through Pennsylvania and Delaware right through inches of snow on the tracks! It may not be clearly visible in the video but there was snow flying all around and the view from the window was just amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDkJQBvY-50

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkeBNBG80no

Well, its a different story that an hour after these videos were taken the HHP-8 decided to die in the middle of nowhere between BWI Airport and Washington and after waiting in the cold of half hour we were "rescued" by the Carolinian that came and stood on adjacent track and everyone hopped across to that train ;)
 
I'd much rather be on a train getting to my destination - maybe a little late - than stuck at the airport for the next flight out with seats available! And sleeping at the airport!
This is precisely the reason we will always, always, always use Amtrak for Christmas travels. I hear horror stories about flights getting delayed/canceled every single year.
Then again there are more primary options (such as routes and carriers) and secondary resources (such as hotels for sleeping and car rentals for personal travel) at most airports than there are at most train stations. It's true that airport areas can still run out rooms and cars and such, but I'm not sure that's quite as bad as never having any of that in the first place.
If an airport is shut down, is is very likely that all flights on all carriers will be cancelled also!
wacko.gif
And airlines no longer pay (or give vouchers) for hotels! And if it is snowing so bad that an airport is shut down, would you really want to rent a car and drive on the snowy highways to your destination?
huh.gif


I remember a few years back when MKA was shut down by heavy snow. The smart people who were going to STL got there that day!
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How?
huh.gif
They didn't drive - they took Amtrak, and arrived on time!
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And just because it's sunny an 80º in SAS and LAX, that doesn't mean the flight could not be cancelled due to snow! That flight may be arriving from JFK, and JFK is shut down due to snow!
ohmy.gif
 
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