Jointed Rail on the Empire Builder?

[bgiaquin]

Yes, there are areas between Minot and Fargo that are jointed rail and the EB does travel slower in this area as well. Plan on losing approximately 3 hours of time when passing thru ND and eastern MT due to track conditions and maintenance.

BNSF has upgraded all of the jointed rail segments to welded rail now that that they are running through freights between Grand Forks and Minot.

 

[montana mike]

Must have just happened since my last trip on the EB in July--definitely still had segments on the old rails--an unmistakable sound to be sure. So why the continuing 3-5 hour delays then if this is completed? Bummer.

 

[mwmnp]

Work on raising the tracks to prevent flooding continues, with associated slow orders in place. There's also an undercutting project going on and scheduled to continue until the end of October, plus work on replacing rail. There is still some jointed rail in place, but hopefully that will be all gone by the end of the year.