For some reason Amtrakhas been unable to connect to the PTC server for many trains especially CHI. This started early AM Friday and is continuing as of 0645 Saturday morning. Some long distance originators yesterday cancelled = 2, 3, 7, 21. All other LD departures from CHI in service distuption but running except 59 normal. West coast and east coast OK but almost all took origination delays. Almost all regionals out of CHI cancelled and 171 out of ROA delayed.
It is too early to know eactly how all this started and if freight RRs have had any problems. If this is an Amtrak problem some ITs need to be ???. Here is link to ongoing problems.
I’m not sure if this is related but my morning ride to work (Metra Southwest) was stopped at South Branch Bridge for about 5-10 minutes shortly after 7:00AM. The crew announced that it was due to PTC problems.
As of 1200 EDT almost all CHI regionals in and out cancelled. #s 1 & 22 cancelled at NOL & SAS. What LD at CHI are going to be cancelled this afternoon?
All Hias cancelled today. But Amtrak shines for one item. ACSES is working without a hick up. All NEC trains running OK with slowing NYP <> NRO work. beginning to wonder if system hack? As of 1800 EDT 3, 4, 5, 21 all ready cancelled out of CHI,
Due to a rail-industry control system that continues to experience intermittent communications issues, some Amtrak trains to and from Chicago have been canceled through late afternoon. We’re working around-the-clock with our partners to continue troubleshooting and addressing these issues.
Affected customers have been notified and we are working to resolve this as soon as possible. Updates will be provided as available.
You may change your reservation via the Amtrak app or Amtrak.com. If your trip has been canceled, cancellation fees will be waived. Follow @AmtrakAlerts on Twitter for real-time service information and updates.
Now official 30, 48, 50, 59 cancelled. That makes it 100% LD trains cancelled out of CHI for today Satursay. Is Gardner & Harris happy ?. FRA needs to change PTC initiation protocols.
That brings up the question . Where is the FRA and Sec of Transportation??
Balt you are correct both Auto trains cancelled on Saturday. That is an almost all CSX operation except Sun Rail and Amtrak going north from SFA. I had just looked at CHI but we have 1, 2, 22 also cancelled. Have no idea if revelant but our CSX track only had one northbound all day and it was slow.
My question is - Who’s Servers were down the prevented the initial testing and linking of PTC? Amtrak? Freight Carriers?
Why would Amtrak not use the servers of the Freight Carriers who are actually operating their trains?
The problem as I understand it - PTC is required to be linked and operative at a train’s origin. Once underway, PTC can fail and be ‘cut out’ that will allow a train to continue to its destination.
If passenger trains are critical for the well being of the United States, the government should have subsidized those trains that were being operated by the investor owned railroads.
What we have is another Washington, D.C. bureaucracy with more than 20,000 employees guided by executives and managers that seem to have little idea what they are doing.
As of 1800 EDT 3, 5, 7, 21 All out CHI on time. s well 339, 393 also on time
Eagle #21 & CZ #5 got out of CHI on time. 335 HIA also out both after 1300 CDT. Maybe problem fixed? However, with all the equipment out of position probably 6 days to get all midwest LD trains running normally.? Amtrak managemet where are you ??
How how long will it take to get everything straightened out? Note: Nothing on any Amtrak system publications had notice saying that boh Auto Train cancellations happened SAT. Only checking reservation’s Status check showed them cancelled. How were the riders notified? What the heck?
And when we are saying ‘Servers’ what data is actually involved?
When I was still working (Pre-PTC) on CSX we had continual issues getting timely and accurate train data from Amtrak - appropriate data was Train ID, Engine(s) number of cars, Conductor & Engineer names and their ID numbers as well as the On Duty times that apply to each as well as their HOS time. Pre-PTC we could inquire of the crew and apply the information manually. What additional data is now required with the implementation of PTC, I don’t know.
30 and 59 On time out of CHI. However the planned late departure for 59 of 18:35 was met but appears that it has stopped at the service yard for over 90 minutes so far. Now only 48 to go.
That was one of the reasons that Roger Lewis was appointed as Amtrak’s first president. A political favor could be repaid with no real consequences foreseen.
