Effective with the northbound departure of train #14 from Los Angeles on Tuesday, April 15, and the southbound departure of train #11 from Seattle on Wednesday, April 16,
* Amtrak will operate a full-service Coast Starlight between Los Angeles and Klamath Falls, OR. * A bus bridge will operate between Klamath Falls and Eugene (stopping in Chemult). * A connecting coach-and-café train will operate between Eugene and Seattle. * All of the above will carry local passengers in both directions. * Thruways between Klamath Falls-Medford and Chemult-Bend-Redmond will be restored. * The Klamath Falls-Pasco Thruway connection to the eastbound Empire Builder will also be restored. (The westbound connection is made at Portland.)
The Pacific Parlour cars (for sleeper passengers) are undergoing renovation for the relaunch of the Coast Starlight and are not scheduled to operate. Amtrak has not announced a decision on when to relaunch the Coast Starlight with upgraded amenities, but signage in certain stations advertise a "mid-2008" relaunch (previous literature had advertised May 10 as the relaunch date).
Union Pacific continues to make progress on rebuilding the railroad and limited freight train service has resumed. UP has not committed to a date for allowing the Coast Starlight to use the route as the mountain is still unstable.
In other news, events for National Train Day on Saturday, May 10 are taking shape. You can visit a special page on NARP's website to get information about events across the country. Get involved!
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
I can only hope that the extended routing results from Union Pacific and their contractors vacating 'suitable lodging' in KFalls to enable Amtrak to lodge On-Board crews and not from "caving in" to the advocacy groups that have been ranting for this extension.
I'm sure the "usual suspects" will be heralding in their publications and at their websites "look what we got Amtrak to do"; "stand and fight"; "join us in our noble cause" "trains forever".
Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
GBN, UP and their contractors are in Oakridge, which is nowhere near Klamath Falls. Certainly not close enough to house workers fixing the tracks.
Amtrak's statements thus far indicate that they weighed the cost of providing turning service at Klamath Falls vs the potential lost revenue at peak season. I assume they figured the numbers were in their favor at this time of year.
As for the sarcastic remarks about the organizations I am part of, I fully expect these organizations to represent my interests, and generally they do. I can't say how much influence they had over Amtrak on this matter, so it may or may not have been a factor in Amtrak's decision.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
quote:Originally posted by Mr. Toy: As for the sarcastic remarks about the organizations I am part of, I fully expect these organizations to represent my interests, and generally they do.
Mr. Toy, I should be more respectful that all citizens and resident aliens have First Amendment rights to petition the government, either as individuals or as a group, any advocacy group, rail passenger or otherwise, is fulfilling the Right to petition as a group.
Personally, when NARP was organized now over 40 years ago, I read their promotional material, but all too much of it seemed 'fight on the beaches fight on the sands to save the Podunk Local". I decided then I would have no use for this outfit. Reviewing their latter day activities such as their "connect the dots" charade further affirms my position.
The rantings of the RAILPAC organization were simply diverting Amtrak management from their Daily tasks of efficiently operating West Coast passenger services - all of which save the Starlight - are locally funded. The time that the the West Coast Amtrak executive, Mr. Dealey(?), had to spend addressing their rants regarding the Starlight's truncated service and amenities were simply taking his time away from what counts - and what the people of CA, OR, and WA were paying him to do.
Posted by amtraxmaniac (Member # 2251) on :
The Podunk Local matters a lot to the citizens of Podunk. It brings business to Podunk. Not only that, it gets the citizens of Podunk to their vitally important jobs and services in Metropolis. GBN: try to place yourself in the shoes of the Podunkie citizen. We can't just book a flight on Air America and fly to our destination and the interstate system that runs through Podunk is in poor repair. What options do we have? That Hound company maybe?
In terms of 'these organizations' you refer to and them wasting Mr Dealey's time, dealing with such groups as RAILPAC should come with the territory. As the saying goes, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Patrick, during 1967, it appeared that the the Builders, Chiefs, and Cities were all "safe", but now almost forty years after A-Day, the role of rail passenger service in the 21st century is clearly seen as commuter and Corridors. It is simply not the LD passenger train.
But I must acknowledge that so long as "the ways of Washington" are as they are, the existing 'skeleton" LD system is safe as it is the catalyst for ensuring Federal level funding of the only thing Amtrak has that really counts - and that is of course the NorthEast Corridor.
My complaint with the advocacy groups is that 'they don't get it". They should be leading the charge to relieve the Treasury of having to fund $300M of LD train deficits and the Class I industry of their indirect subsidy by allowing access paid for at less than the opportunity cost of such, and having that $300M directed to greater development of Corridors operating primarily over publicly owned predominately passenger ROW's.
But yet they hang on with their "connect the dots' charades that I for one find meaningless, even though I'm sure there are some who can find relevance for such in the 21st Century.
The advocacy groups should be directed towards ensuring that taxpayers receive greatest value for the funds they choose to allocate to rail passenger service; NARP and the other advocacy groups appear to be working counter to that goal by pressing forth with their contention that somehow a case can be made that the LD trains are worthy of continued subsidy from both the Federal trough and by the Class I industry.
Much as you and the majority here, including myself, enjoy riding LD trains (albeit in most part from the other side of the Diner than yourself), it is time to recognize that their time of providing meaningful transportation to the population at large expired during the "mid 50's'; had Amtrak not come along, or the roads simply said "thanks but no thanks', as I dare say many a contemporary railroad manager would have preferred to be the case, the party would have largely been over after the five-year "Moratorium" on train-offs under RPSA '70 expired and definitely would have been over when Staggers was implemented during 1980.
Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
We've covered this ground before, but I will state again that I think it is folly not to have some sort of ground based national transportation system other than drive yourself down the interstate. The slow implosion of the airline industry should clue us in that long distance flights aren't the be-all-end-all system it was a few years ago, and rising fuel costs are going to permanently alter the face of the least fuel efficient mode of transportation in the long term.
If America's long distance passenger rail technology wasn't stuck in the 1950s the airlines would have some real competition for all except the longest transcontinental or overseas trips, and passengers would have some real choices. That is what NARP is all about. While I don't necessarily agree with everything they do, or sometimes fail to do, I'm not ashamed in any way to be a member.
Posted by amtraxmaniac (Member # 2251) on :
Lack of vision, not lack of demand is what's killing the NATIONAL rail picture.
Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
As of now, they are accepting reservations on the website for April 15 on #14. The KFS-LAX leg is numbered 11/14. The bus from KFS to EUG is 6811/6814, and the stub train EUG to SEA is 1011/1014.
Posted by Hoop (Member # 4607) on :
quote:Originally posted by amtraxmaniac: Lack of vision, not lack of demand is what's killing the NATIONAL rail picture.
Well said!
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
As of a few moments ago, #14(15) arrived Dunsmuir some 90ML (ML is official Amtrakese for "minutes late'), but is estimated at Kalamath Falls only 30ML.
Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
From Amtrak: train 14(15) arrived KFS at 9:05am, 50 minutes late after leaving Sacramento at 1:25am, 1 hour 26 minutes late.
Posted by 4021North (Member # 4081) on :
I would call it a lack of political power to implement NARP's vision.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
It appears the SB re-inaugural run faired better as according to the website, #11(16) arrived Sacramento some 20 minutes early.
Posted by HopefulRailUser (Member # 4513) on :
Starlight is still doing very well, timely or early with the small bus bridge. I spoke to AGR Select today. They think my one ticket will be all I need, I doubt that. Bruce suggested I call back on May 5th regarding my May 8th departure if I haven't heard from Amtrak by then. There is always the hope that the train will be going all the way by then. At any rate, we are taking it.
Posted by Mesaman (Member # 6720) on :
Vicki
I am taking the Starlight to Seattle on Saturday, May 4. I just got a call from Amtrak advising me that I would have to exchange my ticket for 3 new ones, i.e. one for each leg of the trip. You can still hope that the Starlight will go all the way through by the time of your trip.
Posted by HopefulRailUser (Member # 4513) on :
Thanks for the info, it is as I suspected. Are you to send your ticket back for exchange or do so at the station on the day you board?
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
Vicki.....sorry you're getting the wrong info from AGR. It's funny how oftentimes us veteran AmTravelers know more about the system than they do.
For what it's worth, a rumor that I'm hearing about the Coast Starlight running all the way through from LAX to Seattle with no bus bridge is May 15th. This is only a rumor at this point, from internals at Union Pacific. Nothing is confirmed or guaranteed, but I've gotten this from a few different sources now. However, I have never heard anyone talk about the Starlight running through before that date---so I think on your trip it will be a bus bridge. I don't think the bus trip will be too bad. It's fairly short, and you can look at it from the viewpoint of being a new adventure!
By the way, for those who have not seen it, if you go to the home page of TrainWeb.com, you will see a featured story by Jonathan Ortiz on the recent Guenzler Million Mile Trip Part Two. If you scroll down a little in his report, you will see exterior AND interior photos of a newly refurbished Parlour Car. It is unit # 39973, and was attached to the rear of train #3 on it's way to LAX from Beech Grove, Indiana.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Mr. Smith, May 6 still remains as the first day the website is accepting reservations for an LA to Seattle TRAIN ride on 14(6).
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
Care to wager a friendly bet? Posted by amtraxmaniac (Member # 2251) on :
I'd put my money on 5/15. LOL. My experience is that the host railroad knows more than Amtrak.
Posted by Hoop (Member # 4607) on :
And I'm scheduled on #14 LAX-PDX on May 10th!
Posted by Mesaman (Member # 6720) on :
Vicki I was told that I would have to exchange the ticket at the station before boarding. However, I was told that if I did not have time to make the exchange before boarding the conductor would be advised of that fact and would then make the exchange on board.
Another interesting point, I was told that I was entitled to an $80.00 refund which would be given to me when I exchanged the ticket. I just received an e-mail showing the new ticketing information. The total ticket price shown on that e-mail is $116.00 less than I paid for my tickets. I wonder who is getting the $36.00 difference?
Posted by HopefulRailUser (Member # 4513) on :
I bet the $80 refund is for the two diner meals you miss on the north end. The $36? Who knows? I guess we will have to get to LAX early, could be a lot of people making these ticket exchanges. My return trip is on the 17th, maybe that will be all train.
Posted by Jarrod (Member # 4318) on :
quote:Originally posted by Hoop: And I'm scheduled on #14 LAX-PDX on May 10th!
Me too... Amtrak is being very mysterious even about the relaunch on May 10. Don't understand why they wouldn't - considering the Parlour Cars seem to be ready now.
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
We are currently scheduled for a BR on the CS on July 7 LAX-SEA, and we have not heard anything different yet. However, I told my wife about the mudslide and the service disruption, and she will be perfectly happy to ride the CS overnight in our BR to KFS, then take the bus bridge to Eugene to catch the "north end" of the CS --
I am just wondering -- if they do "annul" the CS for an extended period of time, I wonder if the "Eugene to Seattle" portion of the truncated train will stay on as an additional Cascade Service frequency.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
What is "BR"? Never heard that term before.
And just to clarify, the Coast Starlight is not annulled in any location. There is a temporary suspension of service (with a bus bridge) between Klamath Falls, Oregon and Eugene, Oregon. The annulment of the Starlight ended back at the end of January or beginning of February (I think I've got that time frame correct).
The train that is currently running between Eugene and Seattle is still called the Coast Starlight. The train numbers are 1011 and 1014. The consist is one locomotive, 3 Superliner coaches, and one Superliner Sightseer Lounge. There are no sleeping cars, no diner, and no Pacific Parlour Car.
If I were to take a guess (and I will), I think the full route of the Coast Starlight will be resumed within a few weeks. I would be surprised if it lasts any longer than that.
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
I'm going out on a limb here and guessing that BR means -
BIG RIDE!
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
In that case, I'm currently in the middle of my BF **and** my BR!
BF would be big flight, as I'm currently sitting at the gate at Oakland Airport waiting for a flight to LAX. My BR is something kinda cool that I get to do today: Ride in the private railcar "Virginia City" on the back of train #14 (Coast Starlight) from LAX to Oakland (California). I saw a last-minute ad on Tuesday to do this for $150, so I said what the heck! But waking up at 3:15 this morning to get here to the airport on time was a little rough. But it will be worth it for the open-air ride on the rear platform this afternoon along the coast. If anyone along the route (SBA or SLO?) wants to see a neat PV on today's #14, stop by and say hi! I'll be the guy wearing the black Dale Earnhardt Jr NASCAR t-shirt.
Posted by HopefulRailUser (Member # 4513) on :
Have a great time Smitty. Sounds like fun. I vote for BR being "bedroom". Check out the ticket office at LAX for me, tell me if it is a zoo prior to the CS departure. Hopefully Frank in SBA will come down and see you. But then, we have tried to see each other at least three times and it has yet to happen.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Mr. Mesa, your refund likely arises on account of that you will not have your Sleeping Car space North of Kalamath Falls.
If Amtrak cannot offer an accommodation in which a passenger has paid for, then a refund is in order, as Amtrak has failed to complete the transportation contract. However, if a contract has been completed yet the passenger has a legitimate service complaint (they are reviewed on a case by case basis, and not the blanket award of travel vouchers as in the recent past) and Amtrak chooes to award "goodwill", that usually takes the form of free future transportation.
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
Smitty--
I just saw your post. I would have been down there just to prove to Miss Vicki that I do exist! I will be at the station this afternoon to pick up Gibg who is spending a couple of days here.
And next Friday we'll be headed to SAN to board the Ryndam on Saturday.
Frank in gorgeously sunny SBA
PS. Vicki--Keep me posted on your plan for the CS trip. What is the date again?
Posted by HopefulRailUser (Member # 4513) on :
Frank - northbound on May 8th, south from Seattle on May 17th. Will you be back on the 18th?
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
Darn--missed you guys! Oh well....next time.
The food is GREAT on these PV's. Whoooh!
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
Vicki--
We'll be headed north from BUR on the afternoon of the 8th but should be here on the 18th.
Gibg made it just fine to SBA on a pretty close to ontime Surfliner. We'll put him on the SB train Saturday morning.
Smitty--
"The food is GREAT"? Tell us more!
Frank in dark and cool SBA
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
Well, here was today's menu:
Breakfast:
Coffee Orange-Mango juice Cinnamon walnut pastry (incredible--never had any coffee pasty so good) This was more of a continental breakfast since the train didn't depart until 10:15AM. Most of us had eaten anyway, but I somehow found room for "breakfast part 2".
Lunch:
A huge salad with big slices of boneless chicken Pizza on focaccia bread Garlic bread For dessert, two homemade chocolate chip cookies that made a sandwich with ice cream in the middle
Light dinner:
Salad I have no idea what they were called (and I've never had anything like them before), but it was dates and water chestnuts wrapped by smoked bacon---served hot. It sounds odd, but they were great! For dessert, freshly baked and warm oatmeal-raisin cookies and white chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies
Throughout the day there were 7 or 8 different dishes of snacks, and an open/unlimited bar.
The only way to travel! Too bad they didn't offer the former Amtrak special of Chicken Fried Steak. (JUST KIDDING!!!!!!)
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
Vicki gets the prize!!!!! In my recent post, yes, "BR" means "bedroom." Sorry if I confused anyone.........
Smitty -- I hope you are right about full service resuming on the CS (Coast Starlight) "in a few weeks." However, someone posted something here a few weeks ago that they had heard from someone (UP? AMTRAK? Another rail forum?) that the mudslide won't be completely fixed and the line won't be re-opened until at least mid-August.
But I know -- rumors arise from many different sources, and some or all of them may or may not be true......
And I know it is very very VERY unlikely for the CS at this time -- but let's not forget what happened to the "Sunset East" after Katrina (another natural disaster).......
Posted by azrailer (Member # 2429) on :
I was told this morning by Amtrak that the Parlor cars were put back in service when the bedrooms were added back to the CS to KF. Does any one know this to be true? We are scheduled to Tacoma the 10th and don't mind the bus bridge if that happens but sure want the Parlor car to Klamath Falls
Posted by amtraxmaniac (Member # 2251) on :
Don't be bashing on Chicken Fried Steak buddy? LOL. Nothing's better than CFS, mashed potatoes and some green beans! I would buy it special or not! LOL
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
quote:Originally posted by azrailer: I was told this morning by Amtrak that the Parlor cars were put back in service when the bedrooms were added back to the CS to KF. Does any one know this to be true? We are scheduled to Tacoma the 10th and don't mind the bus bridge if that happens but sure want the Parlor car to Klamath Falls
As usual, the person at Amtrak who told you this has no clue what they're talking about! Amtrak, Amtrak, Amtrak.....I almost don't know what to say any more.
Regarding the Parlour Cars, NO, they are not back on the Coast Starlight yet. When the full train was put together again (sleepers and diner) from LAX to KFS, the Parlours were not put back on. Why??? Simple---they have not been anywhere near Los Angeles! they've been in Beech Grove, Indiana. Right now there is ONE Parlour Car in Los Angeles (39973). This car is not in service yet. The second refurbished Parlour Car has just been released from Beech Grove, and will be heading to Los Angeles shortly. A third will be released in a few days. That's three down, two to go.....I'm getting excited as the re-launch gets closer and closer.
And here is the latest from the rumor-mill department: The Coast Starlight MAY be running the full route from LAX to SEA as soon as May 2nd. No---this is NOT the relaunch yet. I'm just talking about the restoration of the entire route, with no bus bridge in place (You hear this, Vicki?)
The Parlours won't be on the choo-choo in regular service until the relaunch. At least, that's my understanding. I don't know when the relaunch will happen. According to two Coast Starlight customer service managers that I spoke to yesterday in Los Angeles, they don't have ANYTHING firmed up for the relaunch yet. Maybe in a few weeks, maybe June, maybe July....that's what I was told.
Posted by azrailer (Member # 2429) on :
Thanks Smitty Next question is, do you know if they add an additional standard viewing car for the Sleeper customers in place of the Parlor car?? We have taken the Starlight a few times in the past but have always been lucky enough to have a Parlor car where we had a wine and cheese tasting.Don't know what they do otherwise
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
As of right now, no, they do not have a substitute car running in place of the Pacific Parlour Car. In the past (even in the recent past) they have added an additional Sightseer Lounge Car....but not right now though.
Posted by HopefulRailUser (Member # 4513) on :
Smitty - the problem with the May 2nd date is that Mesaman, who is departing May 4th, got a call to exchange his one ticket for the three needed for the train, bus, train. However, I have not received such a call regarding my May 8th date. I still have hope for a train all the way.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
I think one of the problems with "relying" on Amtrak and trying to read the tea leaves is that the fluidity of the issue up in the Cascades has so many people being told (and telling) various stories as to when the Coast Starlight can run the full route again. Several days ago when Mesaman was called by Amtrak to exchange his tickets, the situation was such that they weren't really sure when the train would go all the way through.......so they began having people exchange their tickets for the train-bus-train connection. However, the "rumor mill" now says May 2nd.....and this information came after the phone call to Mesaman.
Sooooooo.......I think it's still more accurate to flip a coin at this point. However, don't be surprised if suddenly and out of the blue, the Starlight begins running all the way through in about 6 days.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
From Marriott Courtyard Roswell GA--
Miss Vickie, while I think we should both defer to Mr. Smith, as he evidently is a "betting man", somehow I think you and Mr. Art will be getting into your BR or RM as case may be, in LAX and not leaving it until your arrival in SEA.
Bon Voyage
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
Gil -- I hope you are right about that!!! We are scheduled for July 7 LAX-SEA in a bedroom.
I still would not be that surprised if I saw a little yellow box in the new May 10 timetable under the CS schedule saying "The Coast Starlight service between Klamath Falls and Eugene (Seattle?) has been suspended. Future service has not been determined."
Posted by MDRR (Member # 2992) on :
RRRICH, rest assured there is no yellow box...There is no indication at all regarding recent troubles. It does indicate "...newly refurbished PP Car with coffee and bar service and afternoon and evening alternate meal service, wine tasting..."
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
Hmmmm.....alternate meal service? Sounds interesting!
Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
It ain't over yet. The following appeared on Trainorders over the weekend:
quote:Saturday night around 1845 there was another slide at Frazier. This slide wasn't even close to the size of January's slide but it brought things to a halt for a while. The contractors loaded mud train after mud train trying to get the line open. In the meantime through trains started backing up and there were hopes that they could run through traffic through the area before the night was over. Around midnight it was decided to shut the railroad down for through traffic all together. The contractors are still working and they are still loading mud trains trying to get mud out of there. One of the big problems now is that there are 2 very large rocks above the track structure and there is fear that by running heavy trains through the area that one or both of those rocks might come down.
Posted by daniel3197 (Member # 27) on :
According to this posting TODAY - AMAZINGLY the line is OPEN again (4-28-08). It looks like some very TOP NOTCH and Above, Beyond the Call work by the crews on the ground is actually getting this massive job done : --- Daniel
Date: April 28, 2008 13:02 Re: Frazier - Part Deux Author: Railbaron
Holy Toledo - I started this thread simply to update people on what was happening at Frazier (Oregon, to keep the geographic challenged happy). It was NEVER intended to create a huge discussion about stuff that will never happen anyway: a tunnel system through the Siskiyou mountains as has been done in Europe (who would pay for that), or a tunnel through the mountain behind the slide (probably close to 1-1/2 miles that probably wouldn't work anyway because of the steep grade causing the diesel engines to stall out), or rebuilding the entire Siskiyou line to bypass this line (who would pay for rebuilding 200 miles of railroad with even steeper grades then is on this line), or even a car float from Coos Bay to Eureka (both cities are isolated from rail traffic). Can't a post like this be taken for what it was intended - a newsy update?
The bottom line is they had a VERY minor slide caused by the contractor himself moving unstable earth from above the slide. That in itself started a minor slide that deposited some mud on the tracks at Frazier. There was NO damage to the tracks through Frazier and indeed that potion of the railroad is now probably the most stable piece of railroad on the entire line considering all the work they put into it. And within about 4 hours they were going to start running through trains again but out of concern for safety due to the fact a couple of very large boulders had become exposed above the tracks they decided to NOT run through trains past the area until the boulders were dealt with. BTW, there were 13 trains run through the area, not counting the "mud trains", between 1700 yesterday and this morning so that doesn't exactly sound "shut down" to me. And I came through there around 0130 this morning and if I didn't know there had been another minor slide, I would have never known it.
The contractor will be there for months to come, which has already been previously posted. That in itself will probably lead to more minor slides so I'll refrain from updating what's happening since it leads to ridiculous speculation and having the situation blown totally out of proportion.
One thing that might be fun to post is a report the next time a tree falls across the tracks and "shuts the railroad down", as often happens up here (it may only be an hour or so but what the heck - it's "shut down"). I'll be curious to see how many people then call to de-forest the entire state of Oregon to avoid having that happen again also as that's something that "can't be fixed" either.
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
After reading the last 2 posts, my comments from above still stand. BTW, has it stopped snowing in the Cascades yet?
Heavy snow = a lot of meltwater = more slope instability = more slides = washed out tracks
Posted by HopefulRailUser (Member # 4513) on :
Can I trust him?
Date: April 29, 2008 17:40 Coast Starlight resumes May 6 Author: mundo --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coast Starlight resumes May 6 northbound, May 7 southbound.
The relaunch will come later. Details should be Amtrak web wednesday
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
Hi Vicki--
Yes, I know mundo. He is extremely reliable. The train will operate as he has noted.
Great! Enjoy your trip.
Andy
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
Who the h**l is "mundo?" I don't read Train Orders, so I do not know this fellow. Why do you consider his information "reliable?"
I do hope he is right, however!!......
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
RRRICH,
Like I said in my post above, because I know him. His information is reliable. Have I ever posted anything here that is wrong? No.
Regarding you still standing by your two comments about the slide in Frazier, you are absolutely entitled to your opinion. However, the experts in geology seem to disagree with you.
Andy
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Mr. Rich--
When I was at Trainorders, or otherwise until I got kicked out, I found Mr. Mundo's reports to be reliable. I believe he is with Amtrak in one capacity or another.
Again I note to you, Miss Vickie, and others in the "to whom it may concern" category, as of a few moments ago, the website still is accepting reservations for a LAX to SEA #14(6) and SEA to LAX #11(7).
Oh and by the time the management of TO got through with me, I'm not sure if I can even access it to read anymore. But then I had it coming; I really told the site owner off. In short, TO is simply a community in which, owing to my "anti-LD", anti-"photographer's rights", and admittedly formal bearing towards others, into which I simply did not fit.
Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
Agree. Mundo is normally accurate. Of course, a new slide could change everything, but that would be a force majure outside Mundo's control and Smitty's assurances of his usual accuracy. No matter how much who tries to predict what, true foreknowledge is still the province of the Almighty One alone.
Mr. Norman: I am a semi regular lurker at Trainorders, and my main gripe with them are those who with absolute assurance come up with incorrect "facts" particularly those track related. One person, I can't remember who and wouldn't say to protect the ignorant, came up with a technical sounding but completely erroneous explanation for rail buckling in hot weather.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
On Trainorders, yup, you gotta be careful with some of the info. There is an enormous knowledge base on there, but there are also a few who get their jollies out of purposely posting incorrect info just to stir up the pot. I've figured out who most of those are by now, and I ignore them. Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
Smitty and Gil -- thanks a lot for your info about mundo. Sorry if I was sounding a little paranoid, but we all remember the posts from from Mr. "BNSF....." (whatever his handle was) a couple years ago that said "a reliable source" had told him that half of the AMTRAK system was going to shut down (he hasn't been around since then!!!) But I will take your word about Mr. mundo, since I know and respect both of you guys to have correct information!!!!
Smitty -- I too am a geologist, and know a little about mudslides, but I have not worked in that field for several years now. If the engineering geologists who are familiar with the slide and have worked on it believe the slide is stable now, then I will accept their conclusions.
Posted by MontanaJim (Member # 2323) on :
SF newspaper says coast starlight to resume normal service:
What a coinkydink, RRRICH, that you're a geologist! Then you understand the stuff about the slide way more than I do. I can't speak in technical terms (since I would just be making it up!), but the geologists up in Frazier I think pulled off a miracle. It's my understanding that my wish of this whole event being documented on video might have actually happened after all, so perhaps some day we will see it on the Nat'l Geographic Channel (or similar)?? But they are far from finished working up there---lots more to do. But they did get things safe (except for the usual stuff Mother Nature throws at the railroad up there), and I would feel very comfortable taking a train up through there any time. I'm looking forward to getting on the Coast Starlight once the relaunch has taken place, too. Hopefully it will be sooner rather than later.
Posted by HopefulRailUser (Member # 4513) on :
Not sure what I think of being on the 3rd northbound passenger train to go through the area on May 9th but I am glad not to have to schlep luggage around to bus and train. Now let's see if the train can keep to the excellent time keeping the current system has been running. I have been monitoring since 4/15 and both the SEA and the LAX arrivals have been early with one exception, an hour late in SEA on 4/16. Sure would like that!
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
"coinkydink?" Never heard that word before, Smitty!!
I'll be looking at the area when we go through there on the CS in July, since I am curious as to what types of slope stabilization measures they have implemented in the area.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
quote:Originally posted by RRRICH: ...but we all remember the posts from from Mr. "BNSF....." (whatever his handle was) a couple years ago that said "a reliable source" had told him that half of the AMTRAK system was going to shut down (he hasn't been around since then!!!)
(wonder why he never tried to post such over @ RRNET; guess who was Moderator over there at that time?)
Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
quote:Originally posted by HopefulRailUser: Not sure what I think of being on the 3rd northbound passenger train to go through the area
Remember, the freight trains they have been running for the last couple weeks are a lot heavier and more likely to have flat spots on wheels that cause ground vibrations then the passenger train. If anything is going to shake loose and come down on the trains due to the ground vibrations from the train, it won't be because of the passenger train. It will be due to a freight train. A downgrade freight train will be going almost as fast as the passenger trains do.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
"Tomorrow's the day that #14 goes all the way".
I must wonder if LA media will cover the "event". With its 1015A departure, there is after all, plenty of time to file stories before deadlines.
Oh and lest anyone think of an impulsive "reinaugural trip", as of a few moments ago, the website shows only Coach is open.
Posted by HopefulRailUser (Member # 4513) on :
I am watching carefully. Hope it continues to be as one time as the current system has been. My departure day is the 8th.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
I'm taking the Coast Starlight from LAX to SEA on re-launch day: June 10th. I booked my AGR trip this morning, and will be in the 1432 car, Room C. If anyone else is riding, stop by and and say hi!
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Update: as of a few moments ago, the website shows Roomettes, but not Bedrooms, open LAX-SEA #14(6).
Impulsive "inaugural trip", anyone?.
It seems like the "amenity relaunch' date is generating more interest around here than return of service to the route.
But allow me to note, I guess an amenity upgraded Starlight represents 'fair play' between the two Coasts, as Auto Train has been unaffected by any recent amenity downgrades. So the East has its Auto Train, the West has its Starlight.
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