Amtrak gets real about Freight delays with Tweets

[Rover]

https://twitter.com/Amtrak/status/1110612699023585281

Once upon a time, railroads provided both freight and passenger services. But freight railroads were losing money on their passenger trains, so America bailed them out and in 1971 Congress created Amtrak to move people across the country.

In exchange for this bailout, two conditions were ultimately put into law: Amtrak would have access to the rail lines to operate passenger trains and–now this is where it gets interesting–those passenger trains would have preference over freight.

Alas, as time passed, the freight railroads began to ignore the law, yet face no consequences for putting freight before passengers. Only the Department of Justice can enforce this law, and the last time that happened was ’79, when My Sharona was playing on our Walkman.

So what can you do about it? Speak up! Contact your Members of Congress and tell them 1) freight railroads are ignoring the law and 2) legislation is needed so Amtrak can enforce this law and put people before freight.

 

[NSC1109]

I don’t think “shots fired” does this justice...More like Amtrak just shot a 5-inch shell across the AAR’s bow.

 

[Thirdrail7]

You know what they say about shooting in close proximity....you may get hit by the shrapnel. However, nothing could possibly go wrong with this tweet and poking the freights.

Although:

I wonder what the plan is if the host railroads ask for relief of that rule, which they are allowed to do. This would be particularly interesting if the companies awaiting their cargo got involved.

It would be something if some of the hosts asked the FRA for downgrade (which they are allowed to do and it is specifically spelled out in the CSX operating agreement). That would put Amtrak on the hook for the difference...if they chose to want to keep the same speed.

It would also be something if the freights decided to charge Amtrak a premium every time they had to assist Amtrak...and then tweeted about disabled Amtrak getting in their way...much like NJT does.

Of course, any cash flush railroads could take the attitude that CSX had in the 90s: We'd rather pay the fines.

Nah, what could possibly go wrong?

 

[neroden]

Indeed, absolutely nothing can go wrong. Because the freight railroad operators have already done their worst.

They have no political support, and there's not much they can threaten to do given what they've already done. Anything further abusive they try to do will land them in court or at the STB at this point. And Congress is listening. And so are state legislatures.

For literally any underhanded thing they can try, it ends up coming out in Amtrak's favor. Except, of course, for obeying the law -- that benefits the freight railroads.

Think about it. If the freight railroads request individual cases of prioritizing freight trains over passenger trains... they have to actually present their cases at the STB each time, and the argument gets aired in public. And then each time they *don't* present their case, they get slammed. The law is clear enough: they can't ask for a blanket exception, they have to do it one at a time.

If they ask to downgrade their tracks... they were doing that willy-nilly anyway. If they try to delay Amtrak... they were doing that willy-nilly anyway. If they try to refuse Amtrak permission to operate... they get sued. If they try to charge an arm and a leg... they end up at the STB.

If they just decide that taking the fines is worth it... Amtrak gets the money!

If they refuse to provide rescue engines... they sabotage their own freight service. If they charge a lot for rescue engines... eh, Amtrak can afford that a lot more than it can afford poor OTP.

Not to mention that Amtrak appears to be undercharging NS, CSX, and Conrail for the freight service which runs on the NEC.

I do think Amtrak is getting smart by documenting the numerous individual cases of violation of preference, which has to be done to make a legal case.

 

[NW cannonball]

Ack

 

[west point]

Unfortunately believe the US treasury gets any fines. As well any return for wreck damages go to the treasury instead of to Amtrak to repair damaged locos and cars.

 

[Skyline]

I'm glad to see Amtrak getting a little feisty. Would like to see them get even more feisty.