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STB to investigate NS treatment of Amtrak trains
This gives new validity to the theory that it is better to use a calender rather than a timetable.
40% then, but now, “considerably poorer performance.”
Good grief, Charlie B.
While I would like to see better performance out of both the LSL and CL and understand that Amtrak has a right to better service I just hope that NS does not take offense to the STB inquiry. NS and Amtrak appear on the outside to have a good working relationship compared to others such as CN, CSX, and UP. Just do not want NS to step down on its willingness to cooperate with expanded service in other areas they have said they were willing to listen. Just my two cents.
Amtrak should really consider rerouting the trains via Detroit. It would not only be more reliable, it would serve a larger population and create great new city-pairs (e.g., Detroit - New York City). Too bad the possibility of going through Canada between Detroit and Buffalo is no longer an easy alternative,
As the Empire and Wolverine routes get upgraded, the Lake Shore Limited could become one fast overnight train.
Bradley Cupp had it right. It’s not for lack of trying that Amtrak faces tough sledding on the Chicago Line.
The problem also lies between Toledo and Chicago. The Michigan Wolverine and Blue Water trains enter the Chicago line at Porter In. Those trains have been getting hammered as well. A reroute might help abit but will still get clobbered at Porter and into Chicago.
Amen to Mr. Cupp’s comment. To Mr. Andre, operating via the Michigan Line solves nothing. The Lake Shore and the Capitol, along with the Grand Rapids and Pontiac trains, still must thread the NS Chgo Line west of CP482. The Englewood Flyover going into service will undoubtedly help ease congestion. But the line needs increased capacity west of CP482 if there is to be relief from the congestion plaguing NS.
I have to wonder why, with the connections NS has between the Chgo Line and the former NKP (Vermillion, OH and Butler, IN), some of their traffic isn’t being diverted that way. The other thing that may be exacerbating the congestion is the CP overhead traffic operating between CHI and Butler, IN. CP negotiated trackage rights for their eastern Canada traffic back around 2005 or 2006 and even established a crew base at Elkhart, IN. CP358 at Butler was modified with a connection track between the Chgo Line and the ex-Wabash line to Detroit that crosses there. At one time CP was operating as many as 7 trains each way. I don’t know if that has increased or decreased in recent years.
Actually, the South Shore route could be put into the mix making a connection off the Detroit line to South Bend then onto Gary and back onto the route into CUS. I don’t have the track diagrams, but I think it could work. If congestion is going to remain into 2015, an alternative route must be implemented. The route would be a combination of the Ann Arbor out of Toledo to make the connection to the Detroit line, Amtrak, CN at Battle Creek to the CSSSB to Gary connecting back into the line to CUS. I think the track connections are there and are not in bad condition. Longer route, but with higher speeds on the Detroit line, some time could be made up. Additionally, the Porter bottleneck would be missed.