Evidently Amtrak, MARC and VRE are peeved at CSX for shutting down their DC-area routes for several days after the Presidents Day storm last week. They have started an investigation.
They point out that Amtrak's NEC line was open for service (with limited schedules) after the storm had ended, co CSX should have opened also.
Posted by Newtimes (Member # 2037) on :
I read an AP article in yesterday's paper about CSX allowing their freight trains to use the tracks but not Amtrak. CSX said it was for safety, others stated it was unjustified. Amtrak was unable to use the rail for 4 days stranding passengers using the Richmond-DC route. VRE stranded 7,500 daily passengers along the commuter route.
One point made was the ice on the switches. Seems that CSX switch warmers are operated manually compared to others that are automatic.
Virginia Sec. of Transportatation, Witt Clement was going to investigate. The article hinted that Amtrak was being unduly treated.
If others are interested in more detail, I will post the complete article.
Posted by conrailkid (Member # 1898) on :
switch heaters not working? hmm, must be the usual lack of maintenance on csx. the rfp route is the only mainline in the area that csx has WITH automatic switch heaters! everything gets people with the smudgepots!