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I accidently killed my post regarding "Empire Builder still Struggling".
I, as Mr. Norman mentioned, did not feel comfortable posting the entire TRAINS article, by Bob Johnston. I initially posted a URL link, after logging on to TRAINS, and found the link would soon disappear & only take you back to the introduction of the article, which needed a TRAINS log-on to complete the reading. I did post the entire text of the article, but had second thoughts.
I tried, then, to delete my initial post, but, instead I somehow deleted the whole thread, including the the replies by Vincent and GBN. My apologies, I don't know how that happened. If the moderator can bring it back, please delete my initial post containing text of the complete article by Bob Johnston. Mr Norman had a link to the original article, but it does need a TRAINS log-in.
Thanks,
Richard
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Here are two recent reports regarding the Empire Builder's performance appearing in TRAINS Newswire. Access to this material is limited to TRAINS subscribers
CHICAGO — Amtrak is short-turning the Empire Builder at Minot, N.D., and St. Paul, Minn., respectively, for four days in each direction this week with no alternate transportation between the two cities. The change comes with the eastbound trains departing Seattle and Portland, Ore., May 31, and the westbound train leaving Chicago on June 1
CHICAGO — A Trains News Wire analysis of its operation reveals that the Empire Builder still struggles with time-keeping, even after Amtrak and BNSF Railway have adjusted the schedule twice. Both parties are preparing to make another change to improve timekeeping in June as well.
New wrinkles have developed to compound the Builder’s timekeeping troubles. Since the schedules were modified, the once-reliable Canadian Pacific between Chicago and St. Paul has delivered westbound No. 7 to the Twin Cities more than an hour late on 19 occasions when the train had left Chicago either on-time or less than 20 minutes late. Leaving late, congestion and speed restrictions on BNSF between St. Paul and Minot, N.D., even though detouring on the shorter KO Subdivision west of Fargo, have put the westbound train into Minot an average of 2-3 hours late.
yukon11 Member # 2997
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Thanks for the re-post, Mr. Norman.
I can't figure what went wrong. Maybe if your post is the 1st one of the thread, when you ask to delete it deletes the whole thread (?). Next time I won't delete but instead edit out the portion I don't want.
I don't see it as a "challenge for Amtrak customers", rather than a challenge for Amtrak, BNSF, and CP.
Richard
RRRICH Member # 1418
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I'll be on the W-bound Empire Builder this coming Thursday PM...............
Good thing I planned an overnight in Portland before connecting to the Coast Starlight, eh?........ Oh well, maybe I'll get in some "rare mileage" on the Builder.
yukon11 Member # 2997
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I hope, Rich, that EB #7 will not be significantly delayed next Thursday. Are you going to Seattle then down to Portland, or will you be taking #27, Spokane to Portland? I am thinking of Portland to Whitefish, on the EB, as a possibility next summer. That is providing that Eastbound arrival in Whitefish is at a reasonable hour.
Do you or other Rail Forum folks know how to access the Amtrak train status interactive map, from the Amtrak website? I have been trying to get some idea of the Builder delays, Minot to St Paul, through the interactive map.
Richard
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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quote:Originally posted by yukon11: Do you or other Rail Forum folks know how to access the Amtrak train status interactive map, from the Amtrak website? I have been trying to get some idea of the Builder delays, Minot to St Paul, through the interactive map.
Richard
Click on the yellow Routes tab and then "Train Tracking Map" appears as a banner below that tab. It's not obvious!
yukon11 Member # 2997
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Thanks, Geoff, I did find the train tracking map.
It is amazing, to me, the convoluted way Amtrak does things on their website. I placed my cursor over the yellow "Routes" tab and got a drop-down box, but I did not see "Train Tracking Map". I then realized you have to click (!) on the Routes tab to see the Train Tracking Map.
By the way, the interactive map shows EB #7 (10:44 AM current PDT time) on the way to Williston and will be 1hr, 16 min. late upon arrival.
Richard
TwinStarRocket Member # 2142
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With the luck the Empire Builder has had lately, I've been afraid to look at Train Tracking for fear I will see the Pac-man icon start swallowing it up.
Yukon -- I will be taking #27 on Thursday from CHI to PDX.
P.S. According to the second web site listed, #27 actually got to Portland 11 minutes EARLY yesterday........
yukon11 Member # 2997
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Thanks for the links, Rich. Let us know your impressions of #27 and whether it is late or on time. I love the route along the Columbia River Gorge.
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