VIA Evacuation Train

Fenu S said:

So interesting! Thanks for sharing. However I found something odd here. This article states that VIA Rail cancelled the #2 Canadian on November 15. However, the trackers were showing #2 moving on time. I do wish VIA had an alert system like the Amtrak twitter accounts.

https://www.netnewsledger.com/2021/11/18/bc-flood-impact-on-infrastructure-will-be-huge/

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Seaboard92 said:

I'm curious what the consist was for the evacuation train. I can't imagine they dragged the whole Canadian set to Hope. For 150 passengers I would assume they just grabbed whatever coaches they had on hand.

I've been saying for years we should be using trains for evacuations everywhere. I know in my southern state in hurricane territory we have to cancel schools across the state even areas 200 miles from the coast so we can use their school busses. If we could use the equipment Amtrak would normally run on our routes we could easily stop using school busses from the mountains for the coast.

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FrensicPic said:

Wasn't there discussion regarding Katrina and why wasn't Amtrak used for evacuations? IIRC, they moved their equipment out of town - empty!

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Seaboard92 said:

I'm curious what the consist was for the evacuation train. I can't imagine they dragged the whole Canadian set to Hope. For 150 passengers I would assume they just grabbed whatever coaches they had on hand.

I've been saying for years we should be using trains for evacuations everywhere. I know in my southern state in hurricane territory we have to cancel schools across the state even areas 200 miles from the coast so we can use their school busses. If we could use the equipment Amtrak would normally run on our routes we could easily stop using school busses from the mountains for the coast.

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Night Ranger said:

Your recall is correct. Amtrak moved a lot of equipment further north into Mississippi to escape the storm. I remember a feature story about it on the national news and the reporter asking why the equipment wasn't used for evacuating people too.

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September 2, 2005 10:30 PM EDT
Department of Transportation Arranges for Amtrak to Begin Evacuating Residents from New Orleans Starting Tonight
Passenger trains will join the growing number of buses and aircraft being used to evacuate residents from New Orleans starting as early as midnight tonight, Friday, September 2, Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta announced today. The special twelve-car Amtrak passenger train is heading to New Orleans from Baton Rouge and should arrive in the city to begin loading passengers later in the evening, the Secretary added.

The train is expected to arrive at the Avondale Rail Yard, on the south side of the Mississippi River at approximately 11 p.m. (CDT) and will be able to carry 600 passengers. Buses belonging to the New Orleans Regional Transit Administration will transport residents from the city to the rail yard where they will be provided with water, MREs and a train ride out of the city, Mineta said.

“We have clear tracks and an empty train ready to help get residents safely out of the city,” said Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta. “Amtrak gives us yet another way to help move people so we can get the job done as quickly, comfortably and reliably as possible.”

The Department arranged for water and MREs to be loaded onto the train before it left for New Orleans and is arranging for more food and water to be distributed to passengers in Lafayette, Louisiana where the train will stop. In Lafayette, passengers will transfer to motor coaches that will complete the journey to Dallas, Texas, and other nearby states.

In addition to tonight’s expected run, the Department is working with Amtrak to operate two more train runs out of New Orleans’ Avondale Rail Yard on Saturday, September 3rd. By Monday, Amtrak will have two trains in place, which will allow for a total of four runs that day. The trains will continue operating beyond that time for as long as needed, the Secretary added.

The Secretary noted that the Department has been working with Amtrak, the American Association of Railroads, major freight operators and other federal agencies including the Department’s Office of the Inspector General to arrange for the routing, supplies and security to be made available for the train evacuation.

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Equipment in Lafayette, LA for service when required:
Set 1 (Superliner): 3 Engines, 1 bag, 6 coaches, 3 lounges, 2 diners
Set 2 (Horizon): 2 Engines, 1 bag, 5 coaches, 1 food service car

Employee Support Set: 1 Engine, 1 Sleeper, 1 Diner

Equipment in Hammond, LA to support CN employees: 1 Engine, 2 Sleepers

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jpakala said:

I recall way back with Hurricane Katrina seeing an Amtrak special evacuation train from New Orleans to Houston. Some people stayed in TX ultimately.

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