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So we have been tracking the #1 & #2 now and boy according to the Amtrak website the #1 is about 13 hours late, and the #2 is over 18 hrs late! Wow! Anyone know what happened this time?
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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When discussing the "train status" of a long distance, one should be mindful that it is necessary to identify that train by it's date of origin from its originating terminal. For example, there are two "#1" and a "#2" presently on the road. On a train with daily frequency, there are, for example, two "#3" and same of "#4" on the road at any given time.
Therefore, one should identify a long distance train in the same manner as does Amtrak. #3/1st identifies the "Southwest Chief" that departed Chicago on June 1st, which by the way is Ms."Scaredrider" and family's train.
[This message has been edited by Gilbert B Norman (edited 06-02-2002).]
reggierail Member # 26
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Things are not so easy in the Big Easy. #1 hit a trailer loaded with pipe, #58/59 were rerouted due to a derailment & #19 was anulled somewhere in South Carolina & passengers bussed to New Orleans, &20 was anulled completely. Not a good day for Amtrak in the Big Easy
Reggie
hookedup Member # 1691
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Reggierail, can you explain how the problems you mention have affected the 2 #2 trains, those depating on the 29th and 31st. Last I saw the 29th train was running 13 hours late and the 31st was running over 10 hours late. Also the #1/30th is now running 20 1/2 hours late. How does all this affect the scheduled departures of the following runs of these three trains? We'd really be interested in any other news you have concerning the problems in the Big easy area.
It's starting to be sort of fun following the #1 and #2 trains. We're going on our trip no matter what, so it's good to be getting ourselves prepared for worst case scenarios. The big delays don't bother us nearly as much as thought of having to be bused on part of the route, we'll be paying a lot of money for our Deluxe sleeper, and a long delay won't really be that bad, but a bus trip would be quite lame at this kind of money!!
reggierail Member # 26
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Following is the latest info I have on the delays. Reggie
Informational post
Courtesy of Michael Palmieri of the Louisiana Rail Site list..
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Today was a very bad day for Amtrak trains serving New Orleans. First, the southbound CRESCENT was terminated at Greenville, SC because of a derailment on the NS and everyone was put on busses. There will be no northbound CRESCENT Saturday.
Then an IC pile driver derailed on the Bonnet Carre Spillway trestle, between New Orleans and Hammond; but the IC didn't tell Amtrak, so the northbound CITY OF NEW ORLEANS left on the IC. After the train passed Mays Yard, someone told the engineer that the railroad was closed; so the train had to back up about 10 miles back to NOUPT. It left the second time at 16:43, about 2:45 late, and headed out on the NS. It will detour through Hattiesburg and use the IC (G&SI) to Jackson.
And then the westbound SUNSET hit a truck at Cade. The eastbound SUNSET was about five hours late out of Houston.
Mike
Michael M. Palmieri -- New Orleans, Louisiana visit the LOUISIANA RAIL SITE at http://lrs.railspot.com
RRRICH Member # 1418
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To Mr. (or Ms.?) "Hookedup" - thanks for initiating this topic -- I was wondering the same thing, since the OTP section of the AMTRAK web site showed #1 18 hrs late into L.A. this AM (Monday 6/3) and #2 13 hrs late into Orlando -- this makes sense now based on the other posts in this topic. Last week I was starting to think that the Sunset was doing better, since it was arriving only a couple hrs late in each direction (it got to L.A. early one day last week!) I'll be taking this train (actually I'll be on "421" from Chicago to L.A. via San Antonio - through sleeper) in a few weeks. I don't leave Los Angeles heading north until the day after I arrive on the Sunset/Texas Eagle, so if the train is less than 24 hrs late, it won't be a problem, but I was planning on taking a quick overnight jaunt to to San Diego after I arrive into L.A. So the worst thing may be that I may have to cancel that portion of my trip, but I have planned prudently, so it shouldn't mess up the rest of my trip. However, on the other hand, if #2 is 13-14 hrs late back into Winter Park (FL) at the other end, that will be inacceptable, because of this little thing called "my job" and "being expected back in the office" at a certain date -- oh well, if I have to, I'll fly home from New Orleans (I already made a plane reservation "just in case," and a hotel reservation in N.O.)
Again, thanks for the topic!
[This message has been edited by RRRICH (edited 06-03-2002).]
[This message has been edited by RRRICH (edited 06-03-2002).]
reggierail Member # 26
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I have unconfirmed info that the #1/21 due into LAX on Sunday was anulled at Tucson. Since this is the consist that would have been turned in LAX to become #2/22 departing Sunday it's my guess passengers in LAX would have to be bussed to Tucson where they would board the train there. The Amtrak website is showing that train to be 3 minutes early. What a mess.
Reggie
hookedup Member # 1691
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Reggie, In a situation like this what sort of of compensation would someone who paid $2500 for a Deluxe Sleeper be able to get? Both the people coming into LAX and departing LAX have lost one night's accomodations. When we take our trip we will be going the full LAX-ORL distance, so we'll be watching the train between now and our July departure to prepare ourselves!! Thanks for all the help and advice, and don't worry we won't be pulling a scaredrider!!
reggierail Member # 26
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I would go for at least a 1/3 of the total fare and an additional amount for your missed connections at hotels and car rentals.
Reggie
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royaltrain Member # 622
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I would also demand that compensation be in the form of cash or at least a credit for future travel, but not one of their vouchers that have blackout dates. When this sort of thing happened to me I refused to take a bus, and instead rented cars, stayed in hotels and then sent the bill to Amtrak. I would hope that they now treat people better then they treated me. Amtrak finally agreed to pay my expenses only after a lawsuit, so I hope that they have now learned a lesson and will cover these costs when the bus is refused--particularly when the passengers are travelling first class.
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