Was suprised to see Amtrack heading east (toward Chicago) between Elburn and Geneva, IL tonight at 7pm. Amtracks do not typically run here. Anyone know why they were here?
Derailment West of Galesburg on BNSF Ottumwa sub.
The derailment was at Chariton, Iowa.
Looking at my line-up, No 6 is on it for tomorrow too, unless something changes.
Jeff
Jim (Eolafan), this might be your answer about why you weren’t seeing the Zephyrs yesterday.
Jeff, would you like one of these runs if you caught it? I’d just like to see it.
[C):-)] I had the trip of a lifetime last night. Called fro 1845 for Antrak 5 west out fo Clinton to Boone. Left Clinto at 1930hrs and arrived in Boone at 2325 hrs.3 hours and 55 minutes running time It was Great. I have always said that if you have anymore fun then 70mph across Iowa then you neeed to take off clothes. Larry
Carl, I am close to lining up for AMT6. I wouldn’t mind a try at it. It would be different than pulling psgrs at 10 mph on the B&SV with an old NW-2. Can’t let Larry have all the fun.[(-D]
The thing is, there is one of those wind turbine specials in front of it. I think it might be the tower sections. They seem to have the worst restrictions, pass trains here at 25mph, here at 10 mph. Go past specific industry tracks (if occupied by cars and they don’t tell you in advance if they are) at walking speed. We’ll just have to see how things pan out.
Jeff
Thanks Carl, it was great seeing you and Pat at Eola yesterday. I’d like to try and catch Amtrak on the UP today if somebody can tell me approx. when I may expect them through (say) Geneva station??? Thanks to all.
Carl, I’ve got my chance. On duty for the AMT6X at Boone for 11:15AM.
Jeff
[;)] Jeff looks like the rail gods were smiling for the two of us Larry
Gee, I wish I could take credit for that one! Anyway, I got a call this noon from Colin (“MetraKid 2”) saying that the Zephyr was headed our way. The original schedule didn’t put him in until after midnight, but I noticed that Jeff was running it, and it’s been doing a nice job of gaining on that schedule (which is, admittedly, not nearly as tight as it could be). Let’s just say that the crew that was called at Clinton to relieve him isn’t going to have to wait around very long!
Jim, it’s a long shot, but I’d say that it could get here sometime between 5 and 7 tonight. I’d start watching the Rochelle Webcam at about 4:00 this afternoon!
[(-D] [(-D] [(-D]
Opened this and my e-mail too late to get down trackside and snap a pic of Jeff- couldn’t of anyway, as I’m stuck at home with the crud today.[xx(]
Did the BNSF derail a coal train at Chariton, or just what kind of freight went off the tracks? Looks like they must have it put back together somewhat as Amtrak says the westbound Zephyr is on time for Galesburg this afternoon. Also, any idea just where from Chariton?..in town?, east? west? Just curious…might have to go look at it…Thanks
It was a coal train. No further details from here.
Update on the Jeff Special: he got the train into Clinton, shaving over two hours off the schedule. Again, well under four hours across eastern Iowa.
The train departed Clinton over an hour ago, but unfortunately, I can’t find anything that says that it’s even made it into Illinois. The bridge is closed for the season, I believe, so that can’t be the problem. As soon as I get any sort of update I’ll pass it along, along with a new guesstimate for the western suburbs.
Well, that didn’t take long! It’s into Illinois, all right. Should hit the webcam around 5:00 if we’re lucky, which means it could get to Elburn by 5:30, Geneva before 6, Lombard before 6:30, and Chicago a little after 7. That’s if their luck holds–never a sure thing on this railroad!
Crossed the diamond slowly on Track 1 at 5:03:41 PM. Eastbound combo stacker/TOFC crossed on Track 2 just a couple minutes ahead of it.
WOW, what great “guesswork” on your part Carl, he just hit the Rochelle diamonds at 5:03 pm just as you predicted. It was just too cold for me to stay out much longer today so I am thankful your guesswork paid off and I was able to catch him on the webcam. Thanks.
Carl, You hit that about right,Amtrak 6 thru the diamonds at Rochelle at 5:03:30! Thanks, again.
At 5:30 it was at Cortland, 14 miles shy of Elburn. It was at Geneva by about 5:50, and by Proviso before 6:45. Haven’t gotten any further reports, and don’t know if I will. It should have been able to make it to Western Avenue by a little after 7:00, and into Union Station from the north end about ten minutes later.
…I kept checking on it, but I did miss it. Perhaps the one hour difference messed with me.
Jeff,
Glad you got your chance on eastbound AMTK #6; awesome!
Wish I could have been back home to have caught Amtrak on the Overland Route. Only wish it could be there on a regular basis.