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  1. M

    Train 14 and Semi

    Sounds all too familiar. I was on the Starlight about 2 years ago and the train hit the back end of a truck trailer as the truck tried to make it across the tracks. Same area. Thank goodness we didn't hit the major part of the truck, but it still shattered the window in the train's engine...
  2. M

    Guest Reward points expiration and reasons for late train

    Per late trains, when I said the other day that, "My overall impression is that Americas' rail system is crumbling and in freefall." I really meant the freight railroads more so than AMTRAK (though AMTRAK surely has its share of problems too). This week alone there was a freight derailment...
  3. M

    Guest Reward points expiration and reasons for late train

    Thanks so much. After scanning thru the Twitter alerts - oh my gosh - traveling by rail is very problematic - one reason after another, for one train after another, for the delays, including many major delays. And many of the reasons come up again and again - signal problems, AMTRAK mechanical...
  4. M

    Guest Reward points expiration and reasons for late train

    When did this start happening? On my latest Rewards statement it says, "*Unused points will expire when there hasn't been any qualifying activity for 24 months." I never saw this before. Is this new? The statement shows my point balance with an expiration date of 6/22/21 for those points. Sure...
  5. M

    A curiosity question (re freight train with many upfront pulling engines)

    Thanks so much! This info is very helpful in understanding the procedure.
  6. M

    A curiosity question (re freight train with many upfront pulling engines)

    I have often wondered, when I see a freight train with many upfront pulling engines (two or more; sometimes up to five) how those engines are coordinated by the engineer in the lead engine? Are they somehow wired together, or via radio waves, or? to have them coordinate their pulling movements...
  7. M

    Western LD Trains Poor OTP

    I read thru a lot of AMTRAK service alerts recently - https://twitter.com/AmtrakAlerts?lang=en - and noticed a high frequency of "engine problems, mechanical problems, service issues (whatever that means?" Sure, pulling over for freight trains, including freight train breakdowns ahead, rank high...
  8. M

    Why is the Southwest Chief, in both directions, running consistently late?

    Just about every long distance train on this status map https://www.amtrak.com/track-your-train.html is running a little to a lot late. Seems like it is a lot worse than it used to be. I see they no longer even post a % of late arrivals by route. For example, in the past, they might say 39% of...
  9. M

    Why is the Southwest Chief, in both directions, running consistently late?

    And yesterday it was about 8 hours late into LAX; and at this time, it's due into Flagstaff about 12 hours late - - who knows when it will arrive in LAX? This train REALLY has some serious problems and I feel for all the folks who have missed connections, vacation plans, weddings, birthdays...
  10. M

    Why is the Southwest Chief, in both directions, running consistently late?

    I'm due to take the #3 in a few weeks out of Albuquerque. I see that a few days ago it was 11 hours late into LAX, with no explanation of what happened. #4 was about 5 hours late into Chicago a few days ago. Not once recently has either run on time. What a way to 'kill a train' with passengers...
  11. M

    Financial cost of reimbursing travelers on delayed trains

    With so many delays, I'm wondering how much it is costing AMTRAK for the refunds, vouchers, hotel accommodations, buses racing to make connections, and other financial costs of delayed trains? Whether AMTRAK is at fault or not, AMTRAK pays. Do they get any reimbursement from freight railroads...
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