Recent content by illinoisandy

The back story to the two notoriously bad sections of The CONO and the Chief, Grades and Mergers. The tracks South of Memphis are former freight only tracks of the Illinois Central, back in the 90s the old Passenger main through Winona that paralleled I 55 was downgraded as the current route...

The Southwest Chief can if needed as in running late run at 90 mph in Missouri and then in New Mexico and Arizona as IRH442 puts in an earlier post. At one point almost the entire route had 90 mph running sections including in Western Kansas. A system called ATS (Automatic Train Stop) basically...

CONO Crew changes are split between Engineer and Conductors/Assistant Conductors. Chicago -Carbondale both C&E, then Engineers Carbondale-Memphis, Memphis-Jackson(your answer), Jackson-New Orleans. Conductors /AC Carbondale-Greenwood, Greenwood-New Orleans. The shorter engineer districts allow...

Doing a little research into La Plata on both older Amtrak ( http://www.timetables.org ) and Santa Fe Passengers Time Tables. It looks like it was staffed until sometime in late 1982- early 1983. From 1937 to 1971 time frame most of the intercity Santa Fe trains stopped in LaPlata with the...

I finally found a Picture of #5 going through Rochelle on the 25th and it does have UP Power on the front.

This would have to confirmed by the experts but the UP CHI-OMA ex-C&NW Main has ATC (Automatic Train Control), a 1920's form of PTC that has both a train stop and a cab signal system. I am not sure how PTC has changed or replaced it on this line. This system has always required special equipment...

Here is my experience on the Cardinal trip from the fall 2018 Cardinal Trip Fall 2018 Cardinal Trip Fall 2018 https://spark.adobe.com/page/N2zyvLZtn8kdR/

I checked the Greyhound website and they do still serve both Elgin and Rockford. Edge of town curbside stops, Elgin off Randall Rd., Rockford from off  State St. They have abandoned the old in the city stops from what I can see.  Stockton and Galena are also served,  all but Elgin are served by...

In what would almost be my hometown train, I want to share a local, non-expert perspective on this train, and were it stands.   My core observation is it has the cards stacked against it. First, to hopefully building on DDS&A's post, I will go with routing options and the challenges: CN all...

It looks like the section between  Las Animas and La Junta may already have PTC per the BNSF PTC Map and then would the section between La Junta and the NMRX be exempt based on only #3 and #4 traveling over the route?

The windows have pull down shades.

The Sky Lounge is finally back on the El Captain! While kinda, sort of

Just a one riders insight into new menu experience, I rode 421 the other day with the new menu on both Eagle and Sunset. The Romaine Salad was refreshing and good in my experience, only problem was our chef didn't thaw the "little pucks" of goat cheese! When talking to him about this, he...

Some good news for the Chief! Amtrak rail project to begin next week http://www.gctelegram.com/news/local/amtrak-rail-project-to-begin-next-week/article_59556d86-867e-5638-a17b-6abc363f9092.html This would be speculation but may create some on-time performance issues during project. Although...

Early information on Eastbound California Zephyr #6 and a semi truck having an incident just West of Somonauk IL in between Plano and Mendota. Amtrak Location Map is showing it stopped there. Local FD/PD and BNSF radio traffic has activity on going about the incident. .WB # 5 CZ and # 3 SWC...