What is going on with the westbound California Zephyr? For at least four days in a row, it has left Denver about on time and arrived in Salt Lake City two or three hours late. As well as I can tell, the delay is east of Glenwood Springs. Slow order on account of rock falls? The eastbound train has not been delayed anywhere near as much.
Yep, #5 has been through Aurora, IL about on time for the recent week or so as far as I can tell.
I would imagine so. I bet is does get stopped up in the Rockies. I check on Amtrak’s Julie once in a while. It has been running late these past few days. Hummm……[%-)]
Justin
It’s raining rocks between Glenwood and Dotsero (Glenwood Canyon) along with Radium to Kremmling (Gore Canyon)…Springtime in the Rockies - the slide fences are getting a workout along with signal system replacement work near Moffat Tunnel.
Exactly right Mudchicken. Had the pleasure of being on #5 last Monday/ Tues between CHI and Glenwood Springs and returned this Fri/Sat.
On the way westbound, we had to stop around Kremmling for rocks on the tracks. The engine crew was able to move them, but we proceeded at restricted speed for approx 5 miles.
On the way back East, we were advised of a slide in Glenwood Canyon before #6 arrived. They pulled into the station at Glenwood, boarded the passengers and had us wait it out there until the UP crew in a large hi-rail truck w/ boom moved the rocks. We met #5 at a siding between Glenwood and Dotsero.
I-70 suffered serious damage and was shut down for a period in Glenwood Canyon due to a 66 ton rock falling from the canyon onto … and through the deck of the Hwy. It has to be plasted out and the crews were still repairing the hole in the deck and the broken rails, etc when we went though last weekend. http://www.denverpost.com/ci_14633690
On the way west, we didn’t meet a single UP train from Denver all the way to Glenwood Springs. Met 1 BNSF run through manifest train west of Granby. We met #6 near Dotsero. That was it.
While we were in Glenwood Springs, saw quite a few UP coal trains headed west and MT’s east.
On the BNSF leg, we saw a remarkable # of coal trains between Omaha and Chicago as well as a lot of grain moves. Busy, busy piece of RR, but still BNSF dispatch kept us rolling at 79 mph (per the GPS) most of the way. A little bumpy in places, I suppose, owing to the spring thaw and no time for resurfacing yet.
All-in-all, a good trip.
Thanks to MC and Doublestack for confirming my suspicion. #5 was expected into Grand Junction 14 minutes early today, and arrived 2:20 late (from “Train status” on Amtrak’s site.)
I trust that the rocks will have settled back in about six weeks, as we expect to take #5 out of SLC about then.
Perhaps UP needs rock sheds?
The problem on the railroad is not as newsworthy as that on I-70. Perhaps if a train is derailed?