Amtrak's full press release can be found here.SEPT. 21, AS OF 1:00 P.M. EDT:
AMTRAK TO RESUME SOUTHEAST/FLORIDA SERVICE
Delays expected along Auto Train & Palmetto routes
Amtrak plans to resume some service between the Washington area and Florida on Monday, but is telling passengers to prepare for delays while the train operates through areas with limited commercial electric power in the wake of Hurricane Isabel.
On Monday, Amtrak will operate the Auto Train, which transports passengers and their vehicles to and from Lorton, Va., near Washington, and Sanford, Fla., near Orlando.
Although commercial electric power is still out at the Lorton terminal, Amtrak crews are powering the depot using a locomotive.
Also on Monday, Amtrak will originate the Miami-Jacksonville-New York Palmetto (train 90) in Miami.
Both the Auto Train and the Palmetto are expected to encounter delays of up to three hours or more in the Richmond, Va., area, where power outages have disrupted track-side signals and grade crossing warning devices along the route owned by CSX Transportation.
On Sunday, Amtrak restored all east-west services between Chicago and New York City and Washington, subject to intermittent delays due to power outages.
On Saturday, Amtrak restored Keystone services in Pennsylvania, along with the Crescent (trains 19 & 20) between New York-Washington and New Orleans, via Atlanta, and service within North Carolina on the Carolinian (trains 79 & 80). The Carolinian will operate only between Charlotte and Raleigh on Monday.
Amtrak restored all services in the Northeast Corridor on Friday and the regular schedule of trains is being operated between Washington and Boston, via New York.
Amtrak Restores Some Florida Service On Monday
- Thread starter AlanB
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While not really an Amtrak story, this Virginia Railway Express service update better describes the power problems that CSX is experiencing and what they are doing to overcome them. Thanks go to On Track On Line for this story.
Train Talk,
September 21, 2003 5:50p
The following is a service update for Monday, September 22, 2003:
There are no AMTRAK cross honor trains operating Monday. All passengers must use VRE service.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manassas Line:
VRE will operate a full regular schedule. Some delays may occur as trains approach the destination stations and follow Fredericksburg trains.
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Fredericksburg Line:
FREDERICKSBURG LINE riders are encouraged, if possible, to use the Manassas Line today.
Service Plan:
VRE will operate on its “S” Schedule for Monday, September 22, 2003. Only trains with an "S" above the train numbers will operate. For a list visit http://www.vre.org/service/schedule.htm . Train consists (makeup) will be doubled to accommodate as many people as possible. However, crowding and delays may occur.
Situation:
Power outages affect most of the CSX tracks from Fredericksburg to Alexandria.(For a map of outages and where the tracks are, visit our website at http://www.vre.org/service/isabel2.htm This means that there are no signals available. CSX has placed generators at all interlockings to make travel possible. They have also given VRE the green light to operate.
Due to lack of signals, VRE must run in manual blocks. This means that the railroad will be divided up into sections and only one train at a time may enter any one section. Once a train leaves the section, or block, then another train may enter. This is the reason for the “S” schedule – it creates less traffic on the rails, and hopefully, will lessen delays.
What Passengers should expect:
We will attempt to adhere to the “S” schedule as much as possible. However, operating in “manual blocks” may delay trains. Additionally, with double consists, we will need to stop twice at each destination station to detrain all passengers. This may further delay your trip.
We know Dominion Power is working to restore all power to its Virginia customers. We will advise you immediately if power is able to be restored and/or we are able to restore full service to the Fredericksburg Line.
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For the latest information, don't forget to check out the VRE web site at: http://www.vre.org .
Train Talk,
September 21, 2003 5:50p
The following is a service update for Monday, September 22, 2003:
There are no AMTRAK cross honor trains operating Monday. All passengers must use VRE service.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manassas Line:
VRE will operate a full regular schedule. Some delays may occur as trains approach the destination stations and follow Fredericksburg trains.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fredericksburg Line:
FREDERICKSBURG LINE riders are encouraged, if possible, to use the Manassas Line today.
Service Plan:
VRE will operate on its “S” Schedule for Monday, September 22, 2003. Only trains with an "S" above the train numbers will operate. For a list visit http://www.vre.org/service/schedule.htm . Train consists (makeup) will be doubled to accommodate as many people as possible. However, crowding and delays may occur.
Situation:
Power outages affect most of the CSX tracks from Fredericksburg to Alexandria.(For a map of outages and where the tracks are, visit our website at http://www.vre.org/service/isabel2.htm This means that there are no signals available. CSX has placed generators at all interlockings to make travel possible. They have also given VRE the green light to operate.
Due to lack of signals, VRE must run in manual blocks. This means that the railroad will be divided up into sections and only one train at a time may enter any one section. Once a train leaves the section, or block, then another train may enter. This is the reason for the “S” schedule – it creates less traffic on the rails, and hopefully, will lessen delays.
What Passengers should expect:
We will attempt to adhere to the “S” schedule as much as possible. However, operating in “manual blocks” may delay trains. Additionally, with double consists, we will need to stop twice at each destination station to detrain all passengers. This may further delay your trip.
We know Dominion Power is working to restore all power to its Virginia customers. We will advise you immediately if power is able to be restored and/or we are able to restore full service to the Fredericksburg Line.
-
For the latest information, don't forget to check out the VRE web site at: http://www.vre.org .
Amfleet
Engineer
P40Power said:
Well it is a good idea, but it's not as simple as it sounds.
One just can't park an engine next to the station and start supplying power. You need cables to connect, you need to isolate the station from the local power company, and then you need a special transformer to convert the 480 Volts into 230 Volts.
One just can't park an engine next to the station and start supplying power. You need cables to connect, you need to isolate the station from the local power company, and then you need a special transformer to convert the 480 Volts into 230 Volts.
battalion51
Engineer
I'm guessing full service has been restored to Florida, as there are status reports for all trains today. Good to be back to normal.
I believe that all trains are running to and from Florida. They however are probably still experiencing delays, since there is still a lot of power outages in Virginia.battalion51 said:
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