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A copy of this letter came in my e-mail from RailPAC:
Dear Mr. Dyson:
Thank you for your email below that I received yesterday. At the direction of our President and CEO, Alex Kummant, Amtrak is already in the process of reviewing our current operation of the Coast Starlight as we are rapidly nearing the time when ridership and revenue start to ramp up significantly. We have started the process of re-calling our On Board Service crews in anticipation of an April 21st or April 22nd track restoration date by the Union Pacific. We also are evaluating the possibility of restoring service to Klamath Falls with a full service train, a bus bridge to Eugene, and a stub train between Eugene and Seattle. The economics of this option are under review as we have to have mechanical personnel at both Klamath Falls and Eugene, and we have to secure a bus vendor and place management personnel in Klamath Falls to help handle the bus/train transfer of passengers.
If we are able to start service via the Klamath Falls option, it will allow us to get back into this critical market and retain the booking curve for the summer season. It will also allow our employees time to prepare for the re-launch of the Coast Starlight on May 10, 2008. We should have a decision on this option by sometime next week.
Amtrak has always appreciated the support of RAILPAC over the years and we look forward to continued growth of passenger rail along the route of the Coast Starlight.
Richard H. Phelps Amtrak Vice President - Transportation 60 Massachusetts Ave N.E Washington, DC 20002
smitty195 Member # 5102
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I hate to put a downer on this letter, because I also hope that the Coast Starlight will be running as soon as the end of April (in time for the re-launch on May 10th).
However......there is now some talk about not opening the line until mid August. I'll keep my eyes and ear peeled for more info on this, as this information is not solid yet. As I understand things, UP is not being completely up-front about the major work that still needs to be accomplished in the slide area. Amtrak is going on what UP is telling them, so there is nothing wrong with the letter from Mr. Phelps. But as I said, my info is not solid yet so I need to learn more about this over the next several days.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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When will the outcry to "bring back the Deschutes Daylight" be heard?
PullmanCo Member # 1138
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I have a railfan contact local in Portland OR. I've asked him for current local info.
amtraxmaniac Member # 2251
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What is 'Deschutes Daylight'?
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Patrick, that would be service along the Oregon Trunk from Wishram WA through Bend OR to K Falls. The Deschutes River is roundly followed on that route.
There was passenger service on that SP&S route until "late in the game".
PullmanCo Member # 1138
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From my Portland friend, railfans in Portland think UP will be OT in getting the Cascade Route re-opened.
smitty195 Member # 5102
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Re-opened for freight or passenger? Big difference between the two right now.
George Harris Member # 2077
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Somewhere else I have seen the statement, made without a source other than "UP has said" that UP intends to run freight for two weeks before allowing passenger trains.
Take it for what it is worth, but that does not seem unreasonable. Even after the line is reopened, it may be under a 10 mph or even less slow order for a while until it is felt that things are stable.
PullmanCo Member # 1138
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When BN rebuilt the historic CB&Q mainline up the Missouri River after the Flood of 1993, there was a while where 10MPH slow orders were in place. I've stated elsewhere it was more than 2 weeks before trains operated at speed again.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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According to the website as of a few moments ago, Amtrak continues to accept reservations "all the way" San Jose to Portland on Train 14 effective April 21.
Mr. A. Smith, what kind of odds would the "pros" at The Meadows give on any such wager?
notelvis Member # 3071
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This is consistent with 'rumors' I was hearing from displaced Starlight crew members who were working the Southwest Chief when I rode last week.
Operation to Klamath Falls commencing April 21 with bustitution beyond.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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David -- will the operation to Klamath Falls be coach only? Or will there be sleeping cars back in the consist?
Someone (I forgot who) said that the tracks may not be open through the slide area until mid-August. Does anyone have any updates on that? We are scheduled to be on the CS in a bedroom on July 7 LAX-SEA, but I went ahead and made an air reservation for the 2 of us from LAX to SEA on that day "just in case....."
smitty195 Member # 5102
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I'm hearing the same rumors about the Coast Starlight operating to Klamath Falls, with a bus bridge between KFS and EUG (Eugene). The rumor mill also says that it will be a full consist train (sleepers, diner, lounge, Parlour--if available). Unless of course the full route is open, then it would just be the normal deal.
I'm sure looking forward to things going back to normal again, as well as the re-launch. I'm pretty itchy for a long-distance Amtrak trip somewhere. I'm ready to book my reservation, but I'm holding off on what to do. It's either gonna be the Coast Starlight if it's running the full route, or I might try for something different like the Texas Eagle. Decisions, decisions.....those AGR points are burning a hole in my pocket.
HopefulRailUser Member # 4513
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I see a note on another site that UP was to run the first freight through the Oregon slide area last night. If that happened and the two week trial of freight happens, then passenger trains would indeed be able to go as of April 21st. This bodes well for my May 8th trip. Send good thoughts for success in this venture.
HillsideStation Member # 6386
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As Jimmy Durante used to say;"This is gettin' disgustipatin'". FIRST: The origin of our transcontinental trip this year is June 14th, originally scheduled on Acela Boston to New York. Well, we know what that means...I hope. SECOND: We have reservations on the CS from Seattle to Santa Barbara on June 18th. Well, we don't know what that means...yet. NEXT: They'll probably find a way to annul the SL between Los Angles and New Orleans. "What a revoltin' developement this is turnin' out to be". With apologies to Chester Riley. Best regards...I hope Rodger
smitty195 Member # 5102
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Vicki,
I'm not sure if you saw my post yesterday on Trainorders, but there is a new mini-billboard at Union Station (Los Angeles, California) that is advertising the relaunch of the Coast Starlight. The ad now says, "Mid 2008"----this is brand new, as this exact ad used to say, "May 10, 2008". I'm not sure what that means exactly....is it related directly to the slide in Oregon, or is it because Amtrak did not reach their goal of a relaunch on the 10th?
I hope the train is running the full route by the 8th for your trip, though.
HopefulRailUser Member # 4513
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Yep Smitty, I saw your post. I am trying to think postively and hope the poster did not refer to re-establishing the route but just the new amenities. Our return trip is on May 17th. That is up in the air too of course. I figure I will give them until May 1st before I make any changes in my plans.
Mike Smith Member # 447
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Great... I'm leaving Houston for Seattle on June 18 and will be on the Starlight on June 20, after I catch up to it via Bakersfield.
smitty195 Member # 5102
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Hey Mike, maybe you'll get lucky and your SL will arrive into LAX in time to catch #14.
If not, the ride up through the valley on the San Jacko should be very nice in June. They also started a new food service on those trains, so you'll get to give that a try. They now have an attendant who comes through the train with at-seat service on an airline style push-cart.
(I see your great state of TX survived the NASCAR crush into Denton County this weekend. Everything is big in Texas!)
PullmanCo Member # 1138
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Latest UP website info:
Updated Thursday, April 3, 2008 - 7:00 a.m.
Crews continue to clear the debris from a mudslide that damaged Union Pacific main line track south of Eugene, OR, on January 19. Track in the vicinity of the slide remains out of service, but we expect to be able to begin limited operations on this route during the second week of April. Normal service levels should be restored in late spring.
George Harris Member # 2077
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According to Trainorders, the first trains through ran over the weekend. For the next few weeks more or less the intent is to run 2 to 3 trains each direction at night and continue the work on and around the track in the daytime.
My opinion only, look for the Starlight no earlier than the first of May.
HillsideStation Member # 6386
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Just looked at the slide show on the UP site on another forum. Looks like UP is using Tinker Toys to clear up the mess. The feeling I'm left with is akin to trying to move Pikes Peak with a teaspoon. Best regards...an luck, Rodger
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