Yesterday, I called "Julie" who connected my to an Amtrak operator. The northbound Starlight was already 1 hour late getting into Santa Barbara and was to be held there for about 4 hours (presumably to check tracks, etc.). Today's northbound Starlight (yesterday's train that was held up in Santa Barbara) is slated to arrive in Portland at 10:20 pm, more than 6 hours late. I was under the impression, too, that when the train was allowed to move it would do so under slow orders. I presume the southbound Starlight would also have been delayed. The computer lists the train as a disruption of service. The two trains meet north of San Luis Obispo in the Santa Marguerita Mountains (assuming both are on time, or close to it).
The southbound Starlight yesterday left Portland on time; the train today left a few minutes late, apparently not yet affected by the quake or its aftermaths (overlate trains can affect serving times and getting the train ready in time for the next run).
I do wish, though, that the media as well as Amtrak's Website would give us more information as to how the trains are affected by the quake. Besides the Coast Starlight, there are also the Pacific Surfliners that use the route between San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, and San Diego. They are quick to point out delays in airline schedules or openings/closings of highways, but not of railways. Amtrak doesn't say anything on its site. I would prefer not to call and talk to a live operator who has many other people more needing of the service than I to deal with. I don't want to interfer with Amtrak's customers who do need the service. But, I still like to know what's going on.
Hopefully, train times will get back to normal or close to it. Christmas time is a busy time for Amtrak--there is so much going already. I do not want to see passengers (or potential passengers) inconvenienced more than they need to be.
