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Does anyone know why tonight's Acela 2119 to WAS was just flat-out cancelled? Considering it was supposed to start in NYP, couldn't they have at least used a spare trainset?!
Obviously they didn't have a spare trainset.Does anyone know why tonight's Acela 2119 to WAS was just flat-out cancelled? Considering it was supposed to start in NYP, couldn't they have at least used a spare trainset?!
I was on NER #137 to DC yesterday, and when we left NYP, I heard a passenger talking on the phone about how an Acela was canceled.As far as why.. No clue.. But one thing to keep in mind is that Amtrak has 20 Acela sets total.. They use 16 of them M-F. Which will leave 4 spare sets.
Currently 1 set at a time is having some work done to the Power Cars. Basic normal work being done in the Wilmington Shops. Right now that includes taking the original mechanical bells off each power car and replacing those with the new Electronic bell, or "E-Bell". Much to my annoyance as I like the sound of the original bells on the power cars.
So that will leave 3 sets available for "rescue service". It's entirely possible that one set was in say Boston and say two in Ivy City in DC. One option is that one of those three sets was undergoing normal periodic inspections per FRA requirements.
You never know where the extra spare sets are located. But considering it's a Monday should people need to travel between NY and Philadelphia they have the option of being rebooked onto 137 departing at 625pm or 655 departing at 635pm. If they have to go south of Philadelphia to WIL, BAL, BWI, or WAS. They can get put on 137. Or if they "have to be on Acela" give them the option of waiting for the 7pm coming from Boston.
It's not like Amtrak is just going to leave those booked on 2119 stuck in NY.
Yeah, that's what I thought. Makes sense.Mechanical bells are more of a maintenance cost. They will freeze during snow storms. The Sprinters do have E-bells. Almost everything built does now.
I recommend calling Amtrak Guest Rewards or Amtrak Customer Relations and ask for your AGR points back. It would be crazy for you not to get them back if you saved them up to buy Acela First.Thanks, Acela150, for such a detailed response. It helps ease the sting to know that Acelas aren't just sitting around.
I was really flabbergasted when I wrote the message because Amtrak didn't call or text about the cancellation. I showed up at the ClubAcela in Philadelphia at 6:30 and saw "2119 Washington, DC CANCELLED" on the departures screen. And the very friendly attendant told me I'd be on 137 instead.
I saved up AGR points to travel Acela First, so being told I was going to be on a Regional was a shocker. The "Acela Express service, no partial refunds if used on other service" notice on the ticket made me angry. And as a long-time Amtrak rider, putting all the 6pm Acela passengers onto a Regional made me think of the old unreserved trains -- standing room only "cattle class".
I ended up on the 7pm from Boston. It was 20+ minutes late.
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