I travelled the Empire Builder 4 times. One time in standardsleeperroom 9 with a rattling boxcar just behind from Portland to Chicago. I saw many pictures of the empire builder without this (these) car(s) at the end.Is that usual since some time? (excuses my bad english)
Posted by CG96 (Member # 1408) on :
No. In the past several years the Empire Builder has transported several of these cars, becuase the organization has been making efforts to deliver items such as mail. For the long-distance trains such as the Empire Builder, these cars represent another source of revenue. However, not every single train carries such cars, and amtrak is in the process of getting out of the "Express" package transport business, so they can concetrate on the transport of people. Another reason that Amtrak doesn't have these cars as frequently as they used to is that the handling of these cars frequently upset the schedule of the trains, making them even more late than they would have been otherwise.
Another comment: you're welcome to share your experiences abord Amtrak here. Some readers are curious to discover what your impressions were of the United States, and the trains. I hope that it was everything you thought it would be.
[This message has been edited by CG96 (edited 01-19-2004).]
Posted by MontanaJim (Member # 2323) on :
it would be nice though if amtrak could get more mail contracts and stuff to increase revenue, in my opinion.
Posted by boyishcolt (Member # 3001) on :
glad to see Amtrak getting out of the express bizz to many times it delays service
Posted by Italiancanuck89 (Member # 1873) on :
I'm kind of 50/50 on the express bizz. I know it helps Amtrak survive longer from grant to grant but i do miss the old "passenger train" look.
Posted by Kairho (Member # 1567) on :
boyishcolt, I am not completely sure of this. Can you quote any sources describing how service is delayed because of freight?
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
Kairho - I think boyishcolt is referring to the instances in which a train is pulled out of a station, say Chicago, then has to be delayed in the yards to add on the express cars, which could not have been added previously since that would make the train too long for the proper station loading protocol. Also, at some point in the route, all those express cars have to again be taken OFF the train, and that delays service even further.
Posted by Kairho (Member # 1567) on :
But I believe time to couple the freight is built into the schedule. And the cars are only carried to the terminus, not dropped off in the middle...
Posted by TwinStarRocket (Member # 2142) on :
Many of the western trains I have been on have taken considerable time attach/detach boxcars at Denver, St. Paul, and other locations in Kansas and Colorado (not at yhe terminus of the route). Since David Gunn reduced the amount of freight, some schedules have been shortened. Trains can also run faster around curves when they are shorter. I once counted over 30 boxcars on the Southwest Chief and every time I rode it when there were that many, it ran late. Also Mr. Gunn claimed that package express service was losing money.
[This message has been edited by TwinStarRocket (edited 01-21-2004).]
Posted by M190 (Member # 3009) on :
I can attest to the problems with express first hand. Two years ago I did LA to Toronto round trip via Chief, LSL, and Maple Leaf. We started moving from LAUPT on the advertised, then were stopped in the throat for TWO HOURS while express was added. Arrived Chicago exactly two hours late so the trip across was ok. Those two hours made making the LSL connection interesting, but I made it only to have the scenario repeated. (And don't ask me about the little Ceasar conductor on the LSL whose nametag read "Baby Ruth"!!) Lake Shore rolled OT only to be held in the yard for almost exactly two hours for express. GRR! Was -2:10 into Rochester so again most of the time was lost to express. Same story on the return trip. I stepped off the Chief in La Junta for some air and was astonished to see 12 MHC's and 15 roadrailers on the rear! No wonder the host roads were peeved about that. Good ridance to express, all Amtrak needs is something else to make them late.
Posted by MontanaJim (Member # 2323) on :
geez guys, i never imagined that some amtrak trains had so many box cars on them. 15,20 even 30 in one train??????? thats a freight train, not a passenger train. makes you kinda feel like a hobo eh?
Posted by Kairho (Member # 1567) on :
I stand corrected and apologize...
Posted by irish1 (Member # 222) on :
i am not sure of this but i know gunn wants out of the express business but wants to keep the mail business because it is profitable.
------------------ The Copper Country Limited [Milwaukee Road] and the Peninsula 400 [CNW} still my favorites
Posted by TwinStarRocket (Member # 2142) on :
Yes, I have also heard mail is profitable.
Several years ago, Amtrak tried running many long distance trains 3 or 4 days per week instead of daily (including the Empire Builder) to reduce costs. It was a financial disaster, and one of the reasons for that was that they lost the mail contracts.
Does anyone know how many "boxcars" are typically devoted to mail and not package express on a long distance train?
