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‘California Zephyr’ resumes after extensive delays, cancellations
So are the trains detouring or still running on the BNSF?
How does a detour over UP result in a 30 hour delay? Could CN or IAIS get it through faster, or are they under water too? If no other options are available, how about bussing passengers between Chicago and Omaha? A bus is a poor replacement for a train, but at least passengers could get to their destinations on time.
The 30-hour late Amtrak traveled across the normal BNSF route. I was on the train from Chicago to Ottumwa, and we were told leaving Chicago that BNSF was opening the route up that night, and to expect a 4-8 hour delay in Ottumwa. I was glad I was getting off there! Things got worse when we arrived in Burlington and learned that the BNSF ballast train that went to work on the washout derailed. BNSF instructed Amtrak to run the power around and take us back to Galesburg. But before the engines were uncoupled they changed their mind and allowed us to go on to Ottumwa. We got there 5 hours late. When it was all said and done, Amtrak didn’t leave Ottumwa until 19 hours later - a full 24 hours late. This after one attempt at departing, running west to Albia, and then going BACK to the station and waiting longer.
Here is where a little redundancy in routes and services would pay off. If there were also Amtrak service between Omaha and Chicago via the UP (old C&NW), for example, or the IAIS (old Rock Island), there would be crews, stations, standby locomotives, etc. in place along that route so re-routing wouldn’t be a veritable wilderness expedition. A bare-bones skeleton system doesn’t leave any wiggle room for recovery when things go wrong.
In addition to the BNSF route being out of commission, the IAIS route was cut in Des Moines when flood gates were closed there. IAIS detoured over UP South Amana - Cedar Rapids - Council Bluffs. Except for that, it would have been great to see Amtrak detour over former Rock territory.
And it would be interesting to know where the move between old CNW and Milw. Rd. mains occurred in order to enter Union Station…Western Ave. A-5?
With so little excess capacity and good alternate routes left this is the new normal. The once high speed CTC and double-tracked Milw Rd across Iowa would sure come in handy now. There surly is enough bumper to bumper heavy truck traffic on I80 across Iowa to feed it. It was chopped up and abandoned back in the 80’s.
Mr. Homan is exactly correct. And for what it is worth, the essential route miles of the Milw. would be profitable today, not only to Omaha, but also lines West.
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Lesson #1 of Amtrak travel, never, ever try and make a same-day Amtrak connection outside of the corridors. Ever.
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20-20 hindsight is a wonderful thing but back in the 70’s and 80’s things weren’t the same and it was matter of survival for many RRs particularly those like the MILW and RI to have unused and underutilized track abandoned and ripped up. I doubt that shippers who rely on the convenience of trucks on I80, even if they are more expensive, would want to return to the rails, unfortunately.
Yes, it got to/from UP at A5. On the first day, I understand train 5 pulled out of CUS and then sat for a while on the Metra main, waiting for UP to send a unit over from Proviso.
I think sending 6 down to Kansas City and up the Chief’s route would be a good alternate… except that the day the Melrose washout happened, there was also one at Baring, MO, which caused 4 and 3 to detour via St. Louis. I believe that only last one day, however. At least Amtrak was able to use its own crews for that detour.