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Trains News Wire EXCLUSIVE: Empire Builder resume full service but delays continue
Amtrak has a long way to go to “improve customer communication.” During this latest suspension of service–during which Amtrak failed to provide a connecting bus bridge for its high-revenue through passengers–Amtrak failed to show most of the CHI-MSP stub trains in its own information system, inflicted 30 minute and longer waits on customers who tried to talk to a live agent on their “800” number, and advised some passengers ticketed on Train 27 cars between Chicago and St. Paul that their train was “cancelled with no alternative transportation available,” despite their own operation of 807/808.
It is shared pain. Ask UPS if they are happy with BNSF Z train service. Ask grain shippers if they are happy with BNSF service. Ask BNSF if it is happy with its service! The frost is still coming out of the ground. Track that was tamped true and level is barely good for 10 mph just 24 hours later. There is a massive effort to double track Minot to Williston. Lets cross our fingers that enough new track and signaling will be in place by September to allow BNSF to operate and serve all of its customers in the timely way it is accustomed to.
Service is better? Someone is drinking the wrong flavor of tea. I was able to do a photo shoot in Hastings, MN when the Builder was close to time - by Amtrak’s standards: 5 hours. On the 23rd of May while doing a photo shoot from Mound’s Bluff the Builder outdid itself being over 7 hours late. When Amtrak first started and the Builder was late a make up train was a standard affair. Amtrak needs to start that service now with the make up train sitting on the stub track at SPUD so that at least passengers can make connections in Chicago. Didn’t Amtrak once have
the power to fine the carrier railroad if their trains were late? If not, perhaps it is time to start with BNSF.
Disastrous situation. The EB used to run pretty much on schedule and was quite reliable. I think the next time I train cross country, I’ll take the CS from Seattle to Sacramento, then the CZ to Chicago. Westbound I don’t care as much as I’ll arrive in Seattle the same day as advertised, but I don’t want to be stuck in Chicago when connecting farther east.
I was planning to take Amtrak to Minnesota for my college homecoming but I think I will try another way to get there. The last time I took Amtrak and the Empire Builder I arrived in East Glacier only three hours late Just in time for dinner. I love trains and what is a little lateness in a comfortable car.
I have ridden the Empire several times over the last few years and either the dispatchers or BNSF don’t give a dam about the Empire but I blame Amtrak officials as much WHO DOES THE PASSENGER BLAME WHEN THE TRAIN RUNS 5 HOURS LATE.
I think Amtrak officials should demand a meeting with Warren Buffet to get some action on this travesty. It is a wonder even a Hobo would rather not ride this train but would prefer an oil train
I have ridden the Empire several times over the last few years and either the dispatchers or BNSF don’t give a dam about the Empire but I blame Amtrak officials as much WHO DOES THE PASSENGER BLAME WHEN THE TRAIN RUNS 5 HOURS LATE.
I think Amtrak officials should demand a meeting with Warren Buffet to get some action on this travesty. It is a wonder even a Hobo would rather not ride this train but would prefer an oil train
I have ridden the Empire several times over the last few years and either the dispatchers or BNSF don’t give a dam about the Empire but I blame Amtrak officials as much WHO DOES THE PASSENGER BLAME WHEN THE TRAIN RUNS 5 HOURS LATE.
I think Amtrak officials should demand a meeting with Warren Buffet to get some action on this travesty. It is a wonder even a Hobo would rather not ride this train but would prefer an oil train
I have ridden the Empire several times over the last few years and either the dispatchers or BNSF don’t give a dam about the Empire but I blame Amtrak officials as much WHO DOES THE PASSENGER BLAME WHEN THE TRAIN RUNS 5 HOURS LATE.
I think Amtrak officials should demand a meeting with Warren Buffet to get some action on this travesty. It is a wonder even a Hobo would rather not ride this train but would prefer an oil train
I have ridden the Empire several times over the last few years and either the dispatchers or BNSF don’t give a dam about the Empire but I blame Amtrak officials as much WHO DOES THE PASSENGER BLAME WHEN THE TRAIN RUNS 5 HOURS LATE.
I think Amtrak officials should demand a meeting with Warren Buffet to get some action on this travesty. It is a wonder even a Hobo would rather not ride this train but would prefer an oil train
I think it is now high time that we adopt a ‘no more Mr. Nice Guy’ stance. There has been a carload of excuses from both BNSF and Amtrak regarding this contning debacle and those of us who want rail as a travel option have been extremely civil and patent, and have even offered various rationalizations for the prolems, holding out hope for resolution by ‘September’ or later future time. This has gotten us nowhere so it is time to put the hammer down and escalate to boycots, demonstrations, complaints to media representatives, and whatever legal means it takes to bring this scandal into the national spotlight. I am sure that
Buffett and the Amtrak bureaucrats would not appreciate the heat.