Dec 14 Empire Builder

[richardd]

Anyone know why Amrak has no information on Empire Builder Westbound that would have been in Minot Dec 14 8:30 am if on time?

 

[jmbgeg]

Anyone know why Amrak has no information on Empire Builder Westbound that would have been in Minot Dec 14 8:30 am if on time?

As of the time of this post the Amtrak site reports that Train 7 left Chicago on time and is estimated into Minot on time. It is several hours until arrival time and things can change, but the the current report is that the train is on time.

 

[Everydaymatters]

Was the route hit by that blizzard?

 

[jmbgeg]

Was the route hit by that blizzard?

I am assuming yes. I will be watching to see the weather impact as I am traveling on the EB next week. Should be well clear of the current storm by then.

 

[Montanan]

In case anyone's interested, here's a report that was posted to several Yahoo groups about the Empire Builders in question. (I shortened it just a bit, but the mods should feel free to edit further or delete if the quote is considered too extensive.)

"As expected, the first real cold blast has severely impacted the operation of the Empire Builder. The biggest impact was the derailment of a grain train just east of Snowden, Montana on Monday morning. The westbound Empire Builder was terminated at Williston and passengers bused to Havre to board the equipment of the eastbound train which was turned there. The westbound train that turned at Havre arrived in Spokane at 900 AM Tuesday morning, and was terminated and passengers bused beyond due to the extreme lateness ...."
"The westbound Empire Builder that arrived Williston on Monday afternoon that was blocked by the derailment was over 6 hours late already due to fighting a blizzard most of the way across Western Minnesota and North Dakota. Due to wind chills approaching -50F, Amtrak did not want to cut the power away from the train to be wyed and to run around and be placed on the east end lest there be difficulty coupling the HEP cables and air hoses. So, in what was probably one of the more [bizarre] locomotive consists ever seen on the Empire Builder, this consist turned at Williston to become train 8, leaving over 6 hours late. ... The train arrived in St. Paul just over 12 hours late where it was wyed so the Amtrak power could lead, and the BNSF power was removed and returned to freight service. That train 8 finally arrived in Chicago at 429 AM December 17, 12 hours, 34 minutes late."

"The track at the Snowden derailment was opened in time for the westbound Empire Builder Tuesday, but due to the cold, expect continued very late trains. Train 7-15 is currently about 3 hours late inbound at Seattle; Train 8-15 looks to nearly 7 hours late at Fargo, North Dakota."

 

[Guest]

Looks like the Empire builder might have some trouble today on the CP near Winona

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.as...580&catid=2

 

[Montanan]

Looks like the Empire builder might have some trouble today on the CP near Winona
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.as...580&catid=2

Yep -- today's Empire Builders are reportedly going to detour on the BNSF between Chicago and St. Paul.