Amtrak long term service cancellations and restorations (2022-2023H1)

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The City of New Orleans and the Texas Eagle --- ***???

The worst weather on the City of New Orleans route seems to be 2-4" of snow in Memphis.

The worst weather on the Texas Eagle route seems to be 1" of snow in St. Louis.

(I used to live between STL and MEM for 4.5 years... and yes, that amount of snow will cause some road issues... but should not significantly impact rail).

Absolutely pathetic. Weather is being used as an excuse to cancelled trains because of staffing issues I am guessing.

Also, they could easily run a "stub" 50/51 to IND or CIN.

I honestly have about had it with Amtrak. We have been using them monthly to travel between Northern Wisconsin (home) and where my folks live (Glenview), but with our trips cancelled in Jan, Feb, and March now... as there will be no #7's on Thursdays when we need to head home... I am about to give up on them. Time to shelf the Amtrak credit card and use my new Hawaiian Airlines card.
Wild guess, but maybe the problem is in Chicago (where both trains run) where weather can be more severe?
 
Wild guess, but maybe the problem is in Chicago (where both trains run) where weather can be more severe?
Or expecting high winds. The mess that happened in the east was due more to downed trees than due to the snow.
 
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I had previously booked #66, in November, to travel from BWI to Boston in March and had already been rescheduled on a morning Acela, but has Amtrak has already updated Amtrak.com to include the reduced schedule moving forward?
I was fortunate to qualify for S+ next year and am planning to visit NYP and Moynihan Train Hall, and hopefully take advantage of a few First Class Acela upgrades.
 
I had previously booked #66, in November, to travel from BWI to Boston in March and had already been rescheduled on a morning Acela, but has Amtrak has already updated Amtrak.com to include the reduced schedule moving forward?
I was fortunate to qualify for S+ next year and am planning to visit NYP and Moynihan Train Hall, and hopefully take advantage of a few First Class Acela upgrades.
Some NEC trains are showing canceled but they may not be finished inputting all of them. I imagine there will be a formal Alert posted soon.
 
Amtrak has announced that, due to staffing shortages (not weather) that some (not all) long distance trains are going to be reduced to 5 days weekly. Also NEC and state supported routes will see cutbacks. Amtrak says it is temporary until the staffing issue can be resolved with new hires and training.

EDIT

But Amtrak is not hiring either T&E of OBS for last month except maybe 4 or5.
just checked has now changed
Reset
PASSENGER ENGINEER TRAINEE - 90302846 - MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI, US, 53203Jan 14, 2022
Yard Master Chicago - 90003817 - ChicagoChicago, IL, US, 60607Jan 13, 2022
Chicago CCTD Qualified One Desk - 90196969 - ChicagoChicago, IL, US, 60606Jan 13, 2022
PASSENGER CONDUCTOR TRAINEE - 90302938 - JacksonvilleJacksonville, FL, US, 32209Jan 13, 2022
PASSENGER CONDUCTOR TRAINEE - 90302974 - RensselaerRensselaer, NY, US, 12144Jan 13, 2022
PASSENGER CONDUCTOR TRAINEE - 90302954 - New YorkNew York, NY, US, 10001Jan 13, 2022
PASSENGER CONDUCTOR TRAINEE - 90302962 - New YorkNew York, NY, US, 10001Jan 13, 2022
PASSENGER CONDUCTOR TRAINEE - 90302943 - BostonBoston, MA, US, 02110Jan 13, 2022
PASSENGER CONDUCTOR TRAINEE - 90302959 - SpringfieldSpringfield, MA, US, 01103Jan 13, 2022
PASSENGER CONDUCTOR TRAINEE - 90302949 - New HavenNew Haven, CT, US, 06519Jan 13, 2022
PASSENGER CONDUCTOR TRAINEE - 90302884 - WashingtonWashington, DC, US, 20002Jan 12, 2022
PASSENGER CONDUCTOR TRAINEE - 90302929 - PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA, US, 19104Jan 12, 2022
PASSENGER CONDUCTOR TRAINEE - PortlandPortlandJan 11, 2022
GEB BRIDGE OPERATOR - 90243641 - New LondonNew London, CT, US, 06320Jan 5, 2022
Results 1 – 14 of 14 Page 1 of 1

OBS TRAINEE -Lead Service Attendant- 90267846 - New OrleansNew Orleans, LA, US, 70113Jan 15, 2022
Customer Service Representative - 90259758 - Salt Lake CitySalt Lake City, UT, US, 84101Jan 15, 2022
Customer Service Representative - 90010831 - ClevelandCleveland, OH, US, 44114Jan 14, 2022
Customer Service Representative - 90033083 - SalinasSalinas, CA, US, 93901Jan 10, 2022
Customer Service Representative - 90265675 - JacksonJackson, MS, US, 39201Jan 9, 2022
GEB CUSTOMER SERVICE REP - 90243511 - BirminghamBirmingham, AL, US, 35203Jan 9, 2022
MEI Customer Service Representative - 90297423 - MeridianMeridian, MS, US, 39301Jan 9, 2022
GEB CUSTOMER SERVICE REP - 90243518 - LynchburgLynchburg, VA, US, 24501Jan 8, 2022
GEB CUSTOMER SERVICE REP - 90243510 - BakersfieldBakersfield, CA, US, 93301Jan 6, 2022
Customer Service Representative - 90033435 - DenverDenver, CO, US, 80202Jan 6, 2022
Assignment Clerk - 90116525 - New YorkNew York, NY, US, 10001Jan 5, 2022
OBS Trainee - Lead Service Attendant - WashingtonWashingtonJan 4, 2022
OBS Trainee - Lead Service Attendant - OaklandOaklandJan 4, 2022
OBS Trainee (Train Attendant) - ChicagoChicagoJan 4, 2022
OBS Trainee (Train Attendant) - Los AngelesLos AngelesJan 4, 2022
OBS Trainee - Auto Train - LortonLortonJan 4, 2022
OBS Trainee - Lead Service Attendant - New YorkNew YorkJan 4, 2022
OBS Chef Trainee - 90281709 - SeattleSeattle, WA, US, 98134Dec 31, 2021
GEB Baggageman/CSR/Clerk - 90289782 - PortlandPortland, OR, US, 97209Dec 23, 2021
OBS TRAINEE (Train Attendant) 90266254 - ChicagoChicago, IL, US, 60607Dec 21, 2021
 
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Has Amtrak given any explanation for why these service cuts stretch all the way into March? If they're mainly dealing with lots of staff out sick due to omicron, surely that will resolve in weeks, not months.

Edit to add: Since last summer, I've been tracking county-by-county Covid stats in my 15-county congressional district. Here in western NC, omicron is spiking right now, but it appears we might be at or close to its peak already. My sense is that's similar to what's happening all over the country, with local/regional variations in severity and timing, within a fairly narrow time frame.
 
Has Amtrak given any explanation for why these service cuts stretch all the way into March? If they're mainly dealing with lots of staff out sick due to omicron, surely that will resolve in weeks, not months.

Edit to add: Since last summer, I've been tracking county-by-county Covid stats in my 15-county congressional district. Here in western NC, omicron is spiking right now, but it appears we might be at or close to its peak already. My sense is that's similar to what's happening all over the country, with local/regional variations in severity and timing, within a fairly narrow time frame.
What they have said is that they will reinstate service earlier if the situation improves enough to make it possible to do so. So the end of March dates are not cast in stone. The restoration dates are flexible governed by how things evolve.
 
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happens once a week when you cut schedule to 3 times a week
Nope! It happens because Amtrak chose it to happen. Witness the Southwest Chief. It will be running 5 days a week per the agent that had to rebook me - and the two days it will not be running are SUCCESSIVE DAYS! So while, yes, mathematically, you can't avoid successive days at three days a week, Amtrak made both the choice to go three days on some trains and the choice to go five days with successive days with no trains!
 
Has Amtrak given any explanation for why these service cuts stretch all the way into March? If they're mainly dealing with lots of staff out sick due to omicron, surely that will resolve in weeks, not months.

Edit to add: Since last summer, I've been tracking county-by-county Covid stats in my 15-county congressional district. Here in western NC, omicron is spiking right now, but it appears we might be at or close to its peak already. My sense is that's similar to what's happening all over the country, with local/regional variations in severity and timing, within a fairly narrow time frame.
To answer your specific question, here is what Trains Magazine reported in its on;ine Newsletter on the 14th of Jan:
...Amtrak said that while nearly 97% of employees are fully vaccinated, “several hundred of our on-board service personnel, conductors, engineers, and mechanical crews continue to be impacted by COVID infections or exposures … These Covid-related absences, when combined with the general skilled workforce shortage Amtrak and other transportation companies are facing, have reduced our ability to consistently deliver our current schedules and impacted the pace of hiring and training efforts.”
 
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EDIT

But Amtrak is not hiring either T&E of OBS for last month except maybe 4 or5.
just checked has now changed
Reset
PASSENGER ENGINEER TRAINEE - 90302846 - MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI, US, 53203Jan 14, 2022
Yard Master Chicago - 90003817 - ChicagoChicago, IL, US, 60607Jan 13, 2022
Chicago CCTD Qualified One Desk - 90196969 - ChicagoChicago, IL, US, 60606Jan 13, 2022
PASSENGER CONDUCTOR TRAINEE - 90302938 - JacksonvilleJacksonville, FL, US, 32209Jan 13, 2022
PASSENGER CONDUCTOR TRAINEE - 90302974 - RensselaerRensselaer, NY, US, 12144Jan 13, 2022
PASSENGER CONDUCTOR TRAINEE - 90302954 - New YorkNew York, NY, US, 10001Jan 13, 2022
PASSENGER CONDUCTOR TRAINEE - 90302962 - New YorkNew York, NY, US, 10001Jan 13, 2022
PASSENGER CONDUCTOR TRAINEE - 90302943 - BostonBoston, MA, US, 02110Jan 13, 2022
PASSENGER CONDUCTOR TRAINEE - 90302959 - SpringfieldSpringfield, MA, US, 01103Jan 13, 2022
PASSENGER CONDUCTOR TRAINEE - 90302949 - New HavenNew Haven, CT, US, 06519Jan 13, 2022
PASSENGER CONDUCTOR TRAINEE - 90302884 - WashingtonWashington, DC, US, 20002Jan 12, 2022
PASSENGER CONDUCTOR TRAINEE - 90302929 - PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA, US, 19104Jan 12, 2022
PASSENGER CONDUCTOR TRAINEE - PortlandPortlandJan 11, 2022
GEB BRIDGE OPERATOR - 90243641 - New LondonNew London, CT, US, 06320Jan 5, 2022
Results 1 – 14 of 14 Page 1 of 1

OBS TRAINEE -Lead Service Attendant- 90267846 - New OrleansNew Orleans, LA, US, 70113Jan 15, 2022
Customer Service Representative - 90259758 - Salt Lake CitySalt Lake City, UT, US, 84101Jan 15, 2022
Customer Service Representative - 90010831 - ClevelandCleveland, OH, US, 44114Jan 14, 2022
Customer Service Representative - 90033083 - SalinasSalinas, CA, US, 93901Jan 10, 2022
Customer Service Representative - 90265675 - JacksonJackson, MS, US, 39201Jan 9, 2022
GEB CUSTOMER SERVICE REP - 90243511 - BirminghamBirmingham, AL, US, 35203Jan 9, 2022
MEI Customer Service Representative - 90297423 - MeridianMeridian, MS, US, 39301Jan 9, 2022
GEB CUSTOMER SERVICE REP - 90243518 - LynchburgLynchburg, VA, US, 24501Jan 8, 2022
GEB CUSTOMER SERVICE REP - 90243510 - BakersfieldBakersfield, CA, US, 93301Jan 6, 2022
Customer Service Representative - 90033435 - DenverDenver, CO, US, 80202Jan 6, 2022
Assignment Clerk - 90116525 - New YorkNew York, NY, US, 10001Jan 5, 2022
OBS Trainee - Lead Service Attendant - WashingtonWashingtonJan 4, 2022
OBS Trainee - Lead Service Attendant - OaklandOaklandJan 4, 2022
OBS Trainee (Train Attendant) - ChicagoChicagoJan 4, 2022
OBS Trainee (Train Attendant) - Los AngelesLos AngelesJan 4, 2022
OBS Trainee - Auto Train - LortonLortonJan 4, 2022
OBS Trainee - Lead Service Attendant - New YorkNew YorkJan 4, 2022
OBS Chef Trainee - 90281709 - SeattleSeattle, WA, US, 98134Dec 31, 2021
GEB Baggageman/CSR/Clerk - 90289782 - PortlandPortland, OR, US, 97209Dec 23, 2021
OBS TRAINEE (Train Attendant) 90266254 - ChicagoChicago, IL, US, 60607Dec 21, 2021
I figured out that GEB means Guaranteed Extra Board. I assume that means guaranteed number of hours per week.

But what does MEI mean?
 
how would they know 2 days ahead of service disription
a look at mechanical hiring.
Sr Asset Specialist - 90232362 - PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA, US, 19104Jan 15, 2022
Superintendent Mechanical II (Backshop) - 90299694 - WilmingtonWilmington, DE, US, 19802Jan 15, 2022
Superintendent Mechanical I - 90240256 - Long Island CityLong Island City, NY, US, 11101Jan 15, 2022
Motor Equip Opr - 90295676 - RensselaerRensselaer, NY, US, 12144Jan 15, 2022
Lead Analyst - 90298642 - PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA, US, 19104Jan 15, 2022
Sr Strategic Business Analyst / Industrial Engineer III - 90260058 - PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA, US, 19104Jan 15, 2022
Electrical Engineer - 90249378 - BostonBoston, MA, US, 02110Jan 15, 2022
Quality Process Engineer - 90297998 - Beech GroveBeech Grove, IN, US, 46107Jan 14, 2022
Coach Cleaner - 90071265 - New OrleansNew Orleans, LA, US, 70125Jan 14, 2022
Spring 2022-Electric Traction Engineering Intern - 90282903 - PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA, US, 19104Jan 14, 2022
High Speed Spvr Tech - 90104767 - WashingtonWashington, DC, US, 20018Jan 14, 2022
CADD Engineer - 90300700 - WilmingtonWilmington, DE, US, 19802Jan 14, 2022
Survey Technician Assistant - 90298459 - ProvidenceProvidence, RI, US, 02904Jan 13, 2022
Hi Spd Elec Tech Trn - 90288110 - BostonBoston, MA, US, 02118Jan 13, 2022
Coach Cleaner - 90027308 - SeattleSeattle, WA, US, 98134Jan 12, 2022
Elct Jrnm Wk Tm Sea - 90109626 - SeattleSeattle, WA, US, 98134Jan 12, 2022
Coach Cleaner - 90067560 - Newport NewsNewport News, VA, US, 23601Jan 12, 2022
Electrician Journeyman - 90039521 - WashingtonWashington, DC, US, 20018Jan 12, 2022
Sht Mtl Wkr Journeyman - 90104771 - WashingtonWashington, DC, US, 20018Jan 12, 2022
Carmen Journeymen Ful - 90043259 - WashingtonWashington, DC, US, 20002Jan 12, 2022
Engineer - 90034318 - WashingtonWashington, DC, US, 20002Jan 12, 2022
Sr Engineer - 90298382 - PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA, US, 19104Jan 12, 2022
B&B Mechanic - 90303839 - RensselaerRensselaer, NY, US, 12144Jan 11, 2022
Helper - New Hire - 90303470 -Mid-Atlantic Division SouthBaltimore, MD, US, 21205Jan 11, 2022
Trackman (New Hire) - 90303771 - North BrunswickNorth Brunswick, NJ, US, 08902Jan 11, 2022
 
And mine from ABQ to CHI on the 15th is also gone. I'm on phone waiting to see if they will give me the same price on the outrageously priced trains a few days later.

Anyone with affected reservations will be accommodated on another date or train at no additional charge, regardless of the current price. If the same space is not available resulting in a downgrade, the difference should be refunded, not put into an eVoucher.
 
Anyone having their hearts set on a trip to NOL on the LSL on 15 Feb will be disappointed to see this:
View attachment 26770
This is actually what Arrow barfed out a few hours ago, honest.
I’ve noticed that, for whatever reason, if it’s a multi-segment trip and a portion of it has been canceled, it will only show the first segment of the trip as if it were direct. So here it would be 49 to CHI and 59 to NOL, but instead of showing as “Multiple Segments” like it usually would it only shows 49.

If you were to search NYP to CHI on a day where the Capitol Limited was canceled, it would show 91 by itself as an option rather than “Multiple Segments” since a portion of that trip was canceled.
 
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