Well, VIewliner is now 3 hrs. 31 minutes late as of Florence, just about 9.25 a.m.
Sadly it appears that my guess above was correct.AlanB said:So based upon that it would appear that the trains are still running, even though there are huge delays through that area. I'm guessing that just like they did with the snow storm, CSX is playing games again and probably trying to curtail service so they don't have to deal with passenger service. Plus since everything has to run slow due to the flooding, they are giving priority to their freight trains.
Well as far as maintenence is concerned after the train is broken down (carriers spread across tracks 5-10) the switcher will come in and remove any cars that need wheels, maintenence, or to go into deep clean. Generally those that need maintenence are replaced by a car from deep clean. Cars that need wheels are generally sent back out on the road that day. Also in situations like they have been faced with they will try to build a train from what cars they do have in deep clean, on storage tracks, or whatever.What's really too bad is that the Sunset isn't around right now to keep the flow of cars moving, and possibly bringing extra cars to the yard.Superliner Diner said:This is where the wrecks last year of the Auto Train and the Capitol Limited really hurt operations of the Auto Train. There used to be a third, or "protect" trainset sitting in Sanford during normal operations. The three sets were used interchangeably, allowing them proper breaks for maintenance. The third set also helped them in situations like this, where the southbound would be arriving after the northbound should have departed. The extra set could have left Sanford on time, and the late-arriving southbound would become the new spare. Unfortunately, this is no longer possible, but it makes one wonder just how the cars get their maintenance, save for unscheduled annullments as happened once this week due to the flooding.
Strangely my mother (whom I travel by train the most with as my dad is not big on rail travel) does not mind the delays when on board the train and enjoys the extra time. However, that one very delayed trip on the Auto Train got to her as she still had to drive 600 miles home (with me and my sister) and we were already a day behind schedule. Thus returning to school late and my mother had to play catch up with some work.If his mom was there, I bet she was pissed. I know my girl friend did not appreaciate a six hour delay on the capitol a few years ago.
According to the above quote, it would appear that not only did CSX play favorites with their own trains, they actually violated a binding agreement. One can only hope that CSX is forced to pay a large fine for breach of that agreement. Either that or Amtrak, MARC, and VRE get to travel for free on CSX for the next two months. Yeah I know that I'm dreaming. But a guy can still hope that one day they freight companies are forced to play ball.VRE and Amtrak had reached an accord with CSX following last month’s President’s Day blizzard, during which CSX closed its main lines in the Washington, D.C., area to VRE and MARC commuter trains and Amtrak service. The agreement in part maintains that freight and passenger trains would have the same speed restrictions. VRE and Amtrak say they’ll take the issue up with CSX.
I will be joining Viewliner for the trip north on 98 up to WPK. My Grandmother's birthday is Saturday, so my Mom and I will take 98 to have lunch with the family, and then return back here to Ft Lauderdale on 97 that afternoon. I'm looking forward to these next few days as I'm working sound tech tomorrow and Wednsday at school, a trip to Winter Haven (maybe SFA) on Thursday, exams Friday (bleh), 98-97 on Saturday, likely 98-97 on Sunday, and the MLB Opening Day Monday Afternoon.Bill Haithcoat said:Let's all hope Viewliner has a better trip northbound. I will not be at work at the time he is traveling so I will not know what everybody is sayng. But I will be at home, staying in touch with "Julie" and seeing what she says about it.
Good, glad to be back (well sort of, I do miss the train too.). Well I'll be doing another trip in December. Report will be in the next week or two. Do you guys want to hear only the train parts? or all of it (Florida too)?Amfleet said:Welcome Back. B) Looking forward to a full report.
A report about your vacation in Florida would aslo be cool. I'm going in three weeks and can't wait for the warm weather! B)Do you guys want to hear only the train parts? or all of it (Florida too)?
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