Even though a "spring offensive" to clear slow orders on the route was announced and reportedly completed, train performance on the Chicago-Pontiac Wolverine Service route is simply unacceptable at this time. Not only does an On-Time Performance survey appearing regularly at another site bear that out, but also does a more specific review of available Train Status reports for train #352.
Chicago (CHI) and Pontiac (PNT) are originating and end points for the train Kalamazoo (KAL) is end of Amtrak owned track with MAS of 110mph - and on which there is not supposed to be any deferred maintenance.
Ann Arbor (ARB) because I have a personal interest in 352's performance there.
It appears that not even the Amtrak owned segment is immune from delays; it would also appear that the NS's efforts to release slow orders has been more of the "talk the talk" varietal. All told, it is disappointing to see that the existing schedule, which is not even in the league of driving, or even scheduled bus service, fall so flat on its face. This is a route where based on my observations when riding it has a young passenger base as well as two major and several smaller universities on line. Some of the passengers appear to me as "post college pre life" and for whom ownership of a roadworthy auto (as distinct from good enough to get around town) is not first and foremost. If the service were reliable, word of mouth would simply "bring them in", but at the moment, I'm not about to recommend travel to anyone over that route.
Even if I don't "worship" LD's around here to the same extent as many, as Amtrak goes, an hour delay is no biggie for an LD. But the Wolverines are a Corridor service, that people, at least for the moment, ride to get from here to there, and not for some kind of tax supported excursion. It is also a Corridor that is deemed to have potential - and a Local sponsor is willing to place a big bet on it by acquiring the lines not already owned by Amtrak.
Let me note about Ann Arbor and my personal interest. I am considering attending a concert at Hill Auditorium late September, which starts at 730P (352 scheduled arrival ARB 545P). While of course train performance reviewed during mid July is hardly indicative of what can be expected Sep 28, it seems as if the schedule and a Jay Leno monologue have much in common. Again, so far as my possible trip goes, well that is what I-94 and a roadworthy auto are for. Sorry 'bout that, Amtrak.
For my proposed trip 545P arrival 730P concert; 15-20ML would be OK as I would still have time to walk from the station to the hotel, check in, have a wine, then walk to the concert on the UM campus. Now if I were more a "die hard" railfan and train traveler, I'd take 350 and do some railfanning once there.
But I'm not.
So again the trip is only proposed (the concert is at present only being sold as part of a subscription package), and train performance today is not indicative of what such will be come September (might be worse). But until then, I'll just be periodically checking Train Status along with University Music Society's site to see if general sale of the performance has been opened.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Is it the heat? There are a lot of slow orders out there due to the potential for track buckles.
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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Vell, it appears that Dr. "Spin" Maglierri and his counterpart at Michigan Department Of Transportation have put fingers to the keyboard and are telling their media contacts about "all the great things" about to happen along the Michigan Central. The one "hard fact" within the press release is that Amtrak assumed responsibility for the maintenance of the the line effective February 16. Operational control for functions such as train dispatching will be phased in over the next three years:
I have had reasonable concern regarding one point relating to organized labor. Again it is noted that Amtrak will assume responsibility for the maintenance of the infrastructure; this would suggest that the MofW employees performing work on the line will be employed by Amtrak. If such be the case, any concerns I have held that Michigan DOT might "contract out" the work to a private concern that might not be "union" appear unfounded.
Possibly younger NS employees will choose to work for Amtrak rather than exercising seniority, i.e. what little they have, on other NS positions - and maybe having to face relocation or long commutes to and from work.
But be that as it may, Amtrak MofW is a Union Shop systemwide, and no enactment of State "Right to Work" affecting only employees in Michigan legislation can upset that.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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As I have noted in the past. if this line is to provide meaningful transportation and attract business for whom either auto or air is an alternative (and I realize in a $5ga environment, auto for some is simply something to use going to work and shopping), this Corridor had best get the act together.
For reasons known to several around here and it will stay that way, I had planned to use 352(23) for a CHI-ARB ride for a New York Philharmonic "festival" tonight and tomorrow being held at the University of Michigan, and the $225 of tickets previously purchased simply became a forfeit. I had not seen the Philharmonic perform since 2007 at Lincoln Center. I envisioned getting to Ann Arbor "more or less" on time with time to have a Dinner at the hotel then walk to the concert venue. But 352 showed up 47 ML, which means that I would have had to subsist on Snack-Bar "Amchow" (washed down with more "grape juice" than necessary to make it palatable), likely dress for the concert in an Amfleet "potty", walk to the hotel, just drop my bag in my room, then get to the concert (10 min walk from the hotel - Campus Inn lest anyone familiar with Ann Arbor wonder).
OK, 45 ML is no biggie to a railfan, but I am really no longer that much of one; I use Amtrak when convenient to my transportation requirements - at least I know it is there (how many of my McMansionite neighbors do?) - and auto would have been an option for me.
All told, if Amtrak wants to play in the market and attract business from people who have alternatives (who can afford either to fly and/or maintain an auto roadworthy for extended trips), just as they do in the Northeast, I can only hope this Michigan corridor, for which the business potential is clearly there, gets its act together - and soon.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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GBN, sounds like 350 would have been a better option. But then I don't do early mornings well either. Unfortunately I think you've got to allow at least an hour cushion on almost any Amtrak train - longer on LD of course. I wonder what Amtrak's criteria for 'on time' is. It certainly isn't 'on the advertised'.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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