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Train 8(7) due in Chicago early afternoon 12/9 is running almost 12 hours late. Bad weather and who knows what else really slammed that train. Interesting to note 8(8) left Havre only 45 minutes late. If anything else goes wrong the two trains could arrive very close to the same time in Chicago. Train 7(9) delayed leaving Chicago. And the problems just keep multiplying.
TwinStarRocket Member # 2142
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Amtrak's Train Tracking tool indicates both the eastbound and (yesterday's) westbound Empire Builder might be in Whitefish at the same time this morning.
The eastbound was probably turned in Spokane and started its journey ontime at the convenient departure time of 1:30am. Does that make it 8(9) or 8(10)?
Judy McFarland Member # 4435
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DEAR ROCKET: My brain is full. Please do not confuse me with facts! My guess is that the purists would name that train as of the date it should have left Seattle, otherwise you would have two trains with the same name - but what do I know? I'm just feeling very silly this morning!
TwinStarRocket Member # 2142
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I'm still waiting for #8 to be 15+ hours late so I can photograph 2 Empire Builders in St. Paul. We're gettin' there.
I've posted this joke before, but it has been awhile.
Engineer asks dispatcher what time it is, and the dispatcher asks back "What railroad are you?"
Engineer says "What difference does that make?"
Dispatcher responds: "Because different roads represent the time in different formats. If you are BNSF it is 2:30 pm. If you are CN it is 14:30. If you are UP, the little hand is on 2 and the big hand is on 6. If you are Amtrak, it's Tuesday."
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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I believe large numbers have been used where the same number train departs the same day as another, such as (but probably my imagination) 907/908.
I'm also waiting for a very late Sunset so I can take a picture in daylight. It's never late when you want it to be!
Railroad Bob Member # 3508
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During a rough rainy season in the late 80s I worked a #4 that (due to floods in NM) became a full 24 hours late into CHI. Amazingly, the next day's #4 from LAX "threaded the needle" and came into CHI nearly on time.
It was following our yellow block signals, or in other words; right behind us into CUS! Our #4/3 was re-crewed with a full fresh CHI crew, or we would have had to work it back with almost no sleep. We DH'ed home (or assisted as needed) the working crew on the next day's #3 after a normal layover in CHI.
So there have been cases of two consecutive long haul trains arriving the end terminal at nearly the same time, Judy. Rare, but it's happened.
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