Empire Builder service disruption in Montana (2/22/22)

[Burns651]

Spoke too soon, LOL. Currently Empire Builder #7 is stopped between Grand Forks and Minot. Per an Amtrak agent, both Chargers died. Down to one P42. BNSF loaning an engine to get them west.

 

[jis]

I heard it is being turned at Spokane with bustitution to/from points between Spokane and the west coast.

 

[CCC1007]

There was also a minor freight derailment in that area, so that doesn't help.

 

[fritz]

I'm on #8 of 2/20, just now at Fargo. Hadn't heard about the new locos dying on #7, but they were so late (12 hrs!) Getting into Minot last night, then apparently hogging the station so our #8 had to wait quite awhile for them to clear it for us. Also heard there was a crew expiration problem with #7 and difficulty getting a new crew to them in the weather, and lord knows what other problems with the snow and cold. Our #8 rerouted to skip the eastern NoDak stops completely, using the old bypass route EB used to use during the peak oil boom. We're plugging along a few hours late but making good headway. Bonus: the shower drains didn't plug up last night in the cold, so I had a nice hot shower!

 

[dadonatrain]

Just wondering if anyone knows what went wrong with 7 and 8 in Montana. Amtrak track your train shows “info unavailable “ and the asm map shows both many hours behind schedule.

 

[jis]

Just wondering if anyone knows what went wrong with 7 and 8 in Montana. Amtrak track your train shows “info unavailable “ and the asm map shows both many hours behind schedule.

See above.