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Hi, my name is Kevin and I just registered. I would just like you to know that if you need information about the Sunset Limited feel free to ask me for that is my favorite hobby.
gp35 Member # 3971
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I like the sunset limited too, since it's the only passenger train in town. However our train has problems. It has the worse ontime record, worse ridership, highest subsidizes, and it's tri-weekly. What is the problem?
SunsetLtd Member # 3985
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Union Pacific
gp35 Member # 3971
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HA HA, so true. But that don't explain everything especially east of New Orleans which is not UP tracks.
My top 3.
1. Too much traffic on single track line.(ppl get tired of a train that is always 3-8 hours late) 2. Not enough coaches. SL is always crowded with a 7 month waiting list for a sleepers. 3. Tri-weekly. (It's hard to plan a trip around a non-daily schedule)
George Harris Member # 2077
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East of New Orleans: CSX non-signalled tracks for about 200 miles Flomaton AL to Tallahassee FL with very long distances between sidings. Lots of trains and at least five draw bridges between Flomaton AL and New Orleans LA. Draws at Mobile - at least 2, maybe 3; Biloxi MS, Bay St. Louis MS, Pearl River (maybe), Lake Ponchatrain mouth. Remember, by federal law boats have the right of way at drawbridges, so unless there is a train on the circuit, the railroad is required to open the draw span to pass a boat, even if it is Joe Goofball in a yacht with a mast or tall antenna out for a pleasure cruise.
mikesmith Member # 447
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And Joe Goofball in his yacht gets a $6 billion a year US waterway subsidy from the federal government for his boating pleasure.
Kairho Member # 1567
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>boats have the right of way at drawbridges
True but in practice that is interpreted not quite as strictly. Many drawbridges are on scheduled openings and boats may have to wait up to half an hour for the bridge to open (there is probably some maximum wait time); and if a train is scheduled and on time, they will wait for it to pass before opening or closing the bridge, as appropriate, without regards to nonscheduled water traffic.
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In 1970, Southern Pacific's Sunset (not Limited) managed to best Amtrak's 1997 time between New Orleans and Tucson by 40 minutes... even with thirteen additional stops. One might wonder whether the towns along the line today might not appreciate the train stopping in their community.
"Union Pacific management admits that the Sunset Route is their most congested rail line in 2004. UP plans to have 64% of the route double tracked by 2007."
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