Monday, December 29, 2008
Life Any Amtrak Vets On Slog Today?
Posted by Dan Savage on Mon, Dec 29, 2008 at 10:33 AM
If the Empire Builder is scheduled to arrive in Seattle six and a half hours late today—at 4:30 PM—how late can we expect today's Empire Builder leave from Seattle? Anyone know?
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1
The Stranger cut your pay? Because the only reason to take the train is if you are so poor you can't afford the other options.
2
Unclear if the late arrival will make for a late departure. Depends on whether it would have been the same train or not. You must call the Amtrak.
Me, I got back into town last night on the Coast Starlight, only a couple of hours late. That's nothing!
Me, I got back into town last night on the Coast Starlight, only a couple of hours late. That's nothing!
5
sgiffy, it's OK if you're a bore, but there's no need to show it. The train is the only way to go, and actually it's much more expensive than flying, if you get a room - and I always get a room.
Dan, the equipment turns in Seattle, and heads back to Chicago. It takes at least a few hours to do that. IF it gets in at 4:45, it will probably leave no earlier than seven or eight, and perhaps later.
The poor Empire Builder - and its passengers - have really been screwed the last few weeks. This weather is nutty.
Dan, the equipment turns in Seattle, and heads back to Chicago. It takes at least a few hours to do that. IF it gets in at 4:45, it will probably leave no earlier than seven or eight, and perhaps later.
The poor Empire Builder - and its passengers - have really been screwed the last few weeks. This weather is nutty.
7
I took the train from Vancouver last night and arrived 2 hours late. I'm all for mass transit and rail and all, but ugh. Never Again. On the way up to Vancouver the train wasn't going to be ready in time for our departure from Seattle so they put us on buses.....
It probably won't leave late as long as it get's here before the departure, but 1-800-USA-RAIL has pretty good automated customer service and the live operators were nice, too.
It probably won't leave late as long as it get's here before the departure, but 1-800-USA-RAIL has pretty good automated customer service and the live operators were nice, too.
8
It's much easier to do these story problems if there's another train simultaneously traveling in the opposite direction at a fixed rate-of-speed.
9
I took the Coast Starlight this November to LA and it was so great. If you have the time (35 hours) and the money to upgrade to a room, it really is a fantastic way to travel.
11
I like Amtrak in theory (Leg room! Power outlets! No need to get there an hour before departure! As much luggage as you want!), but in practice whenever I’ve taken a train on short-ish trips in the Midwest, the delays have been ridiculous. Also, I have priced longer trips out to Denver or the west coast, and Catalina’s right, even without a room it has been as expensive or more than flying.
14
The sad thing is, before the GOP took over Congress, Amtrak used to be very cheap and cheerful. Even a room was moderately priced. And the freight railroads were expected to give Amtrak trains priority.
Then Gingrich and Co. decided that Amtrak had to be put on a "glidepath to self-sufficiency" which is just ridiculous: If passenger rail could be "self-sufficient", there would be a private company running the trains. Anyway, the "glidepath" lead to bucket pricing and cuts in food service, and all sorts of garbage. Combine that with an aging fleet (The newest Superliners are almost twenty years old, and the oldest ones are almost thirty) and, well, we get what we pay for.
The politicians keep talking about "reforming" Amtrak, but personally, I'd like the unreformed one back.
Then Gingrich and Co. decided that Amtrak had to be put on a "glidepath to self-sufficiency" which is just ridiculous: If passenger rail could be "self-sufficient", there would be a private company running the trains. Anyway, the "glidepath" lead to bucket pricing and cuts in food service, and all sorts of garbage. Combine that with an aging fleet (The newest Superliners are almost twenty years old, and the oldest ones are almost thirty) and, well, we get what we pay for.
The politicians keep talking about "reforming" Amtrak, but personally, I'd like the unreformed one back.
15
@4, Yes, but we live in the US where that is the only option.
@5, why would one want to make a few hour trip a few day one simply for the pleasure of having a tiny hotel room on wheels.
@10, Its not being on the train as much as waiting hours for the damn thing to even arrive so I can get on. Well, That and having to be on longer than any other form of transportation except for a bus, and even that's only sometimes.
Planes. Faster, more comfortable, and more often then not on time.
@5, why would one want to make a few hour trip a few day one simply for the pleasure of having a tiny hotel room on wheels.
@10, Its not being on the train as much as waiting hours for the damn thing to even arrive so I can get on. Well, That and having to be on longer than any other form of transportation except for a bus, and even that's only sometimes.
Planes. Faster, more comfortable, and more often then not on time.
16
I was just talking to someone on that train two nights ago. She was almost to Chicago, and the train was running 10 hours late. She said next time, she'd bring her own food.
17
Good Morning Dan,
I love that train (The Empire Builder). It's probably the trainride with the prettiest views of America. That's not a stretch BTW. You've written about it. Seriously, it is great. There is no doubt a convenience of flying into Midway (O'Hare not so much) and it's a little cheaper as well. But, if one has the time (it takes three days and two nights to get to Chicago. That's roughly 6 days time if returning to Seattle) and cash (it is definitely more expensive than flying especially if you get a berth and you drink alcoholic beverages but meals are free with berth), it's a trip of a lifetime. I highly encourage one to take it.
I love that train (The Empire Builder). It's probably the trainride with the prettiest views of America. That's not a stretch BTW. You've written about it. Seriously, it is great. There is no doubt a convenience of flying into Midway (O'Hare not so much) and it's a little cheaper as well. But, if one has the time (it takes three days and two nights to get to Chicago. That's roughly 6 days time if returning to Seattle) and cash (it is definitely more expensive than flying especially if you get a berth and you drink alcoholic beverages but meals are free with berth), it's a trip of a lifetime. I highly encourage one to take it.
18
I took the Empire Builder from Seattle to Chicago a few years ago...scheduled for 2 days...ended up more like 2 and a half! And I was sleeping on the seats (too cheap for a sleeper).
Still, those views northward in Eastern Montana...
Still, those views northward in Eastern Montana...
19
To each his own, sgiffy, to each his own. Personally, I like sitting back and enjoying the scenery and taking naps when I want, and catching up on my reading, and meeting people, and getting out and stretching your legs in some small town. While I hate the thought of "road trips", I'll get on a train anytime.
Flying, on the other hand, truly deeply sucks. Airports are even more banal and dreary than malls, and the airlines are uniformly nasty.
I fly when I have to, but it's sure not fun anymore.
Flying, on the other hand, truly deeply sucks. Airports are even more banal and dreary than malls, and the airlines are uniformly nasty.
I fly when I have to, but it's sure not fun anymore.
20
Dan,
Amtrak vet and long time railbuff.
Normally if it is less than 8 hours late, they are able to turn the train around for a on-time departure. However, I would expect at least a 5 to 6pm departure (from its 4:45pm departure)
There was a derailment at Java, Montana yesterday which is why this train (and the past few others) have been delayed so heavily as of late. The 6 feet of snow at Java isn't helping things at all.
There was also another derailment (BNSF again) just outside of Minnesota.
Hopefully though you got sleeper...
Amtrak vet and long time railbuff.
Normally if it is less than 8 hours late, they are able to turn the train around for a on-time departure. However, I would expect at least a 5 to 6pm departure (from its 4:45pm departure)
There was a derailment at Java, Montana yesterday which is why this train (and the past few others) have been delayed so heavily as of late. The 6 feet of snow at Java isn't helping things at all.
There was also another derailment (BNSF again) just outside of Minnesota.
Hopefully though you got sleeper...
21
Oh yeah... I should mention that my trip down to LA on the Coast Starlight on Dec. 19 & 20 resulted in an early arrival into Union Station. While this is the first time possibly in recorded history that the Coast Starlight has been early, it is still something to celebrate. Hurrah!
22
I can't figure out the bloody Amtrak website. I was trying to figure out a route either from Vancouver to Lafayette, Indiana or from Seattle. Now, I know there are train stations both places, but it refused to give me any kind of a route or make suggestions as to how to find it out. It just said that there was no train running these places on the days I picked. Can anyone offer suggestions?
23
An investment in fast, low carbon footprint trains would be the smart way for the US to go...which means it will probably never happen.
24
that number 7 empire builder was supposed to pick us up at 2:15 am. it didn't arrive until 9 and took us 12 hours to get to seattle. add winter holidays to the list of things that shouldn't exist.
25
@22. Look at the route map. See if you can figure out how the trains are routed, and then break it up the segments accordingly. Or just call them and have them help you out.
26
I took the Empire Builder twice a week to and from Seattle while my ex-wife and I were living in Moses Lake (don't laugh, she opened a women's center there, mammography and such). I had to catch the train at about 3:30 AM or something, which sucked, but the train was usually on time, usually 80-90% full, and the staff was always courteous.
27
the departing and arriving trains are separate trains.
I was supposed to hop onto the EB on the 21st, that train got canceled. I was able to get onto the monday night train that was 13 hours late, and came in tuesday afternoon. it was only have the train, the part out of Seattle was not able to leave due to the weather, but the Portland half, was able to run.
After I got to my stop, on of the conductors was kind enough to give me a lift to my final destination. During that ride he told me that the EB out Chicago was running 23 hours late. And after that the next train would be running on time, one hour behind it.
I was supposed to hop onto the EB on the 21st, that train got canceled. I was able to get onto the monday night train that was 13 hours late, and came in tuesday afternoon. it was only have the train, the part out of Seattle was not able to leave due to the weather, but the Portland half, was able to run.
After I got to my stop, on of the conductors was kind enough to give me a lift to my final destination. During that ride he told me that the EB out Chicago was running 23 hours late. And after that the next train would be running on time, one hour behind it.
28
I just want to shout out the Amtrak Cascades service between Seattle and Portland. It's excellent! In the last 3 years I've ridden 5+ times round trip with zero delays. It's much more relaxing than driving I-5.
30
I don't know about the Empire builder, but my understanding with the Coast Starlight/Amtrak Cascades is often late because it shares rail with Union Pacific. Depending on who you talk to, Union Pacific hates Amtrak and gives it lower scheduling priority than UP's own freight. Alternatively, UP is busily working on improving the rail infrastructure, and the construction improvements entail significant delays. Finally, you may also hear that since there's only one set of tracks for much of the Coast Starlight route, delays and breakdowns in freight traffic cause the Starlight to get stuck.
So it's everyone's damn fault.
So it's everyone's damn fault.
31
Another fan of the Empire Builder, on her eastern route. I took many a trip from Chicago-->Twin cities on that fine train. Wish I could have taken it all the way to Seattle.
32
I think you'll all be relieved to know that the train went out at 7 pm or thereabouts, and Mr. Savage & Company was on-board, or so my spies tell me.
33
@30
i heard the same thing, from a very bitter UP employee who happened to be riding amtrak that day (on the EB). how ... ironic. and no, UP doesn't like to share their tracks.
how odd, i was on the cascades southbound that day and we were waiting for the late EB to get in so those folks could get on our train and leave. i love the train, i think of any excuse to take it. but i wouldn't choose the train if i were in a hurry or needed to be somewhere on time, it's just stupid. the state of rail in this country is that you must set your watch back about 70 years and then it all makes sense.
i hate the talgo cars, they are like the worst subway you've ever been on. the superliners are better for comfort but are slower. not so much that you'd notice, since they all go pretty damn slow, but i'll take comfort over speed any day.
i heard the same thing, from a very bitter UP employee who happened to be riding amtrak that day (on the EB). how ... ironic. and no, UP doesn't like to share their tracks.
how odd, i was on the cascades southbound that day and we were waiting for the late EB to get in so those folks could get on our train and leave. i love the train, i think of any excuse to take it. but i wouldn't choose the train if i were in a hurry or needed to be somewhere on time, it's just stupid. the state of rail in this country is that you must set your watch back about 70 years and then it all makes sense.
i hate the talgo cars, they are like the worst subway you've ever been on. the superliners are better for comfort but are slower. not so much that you'd notice, since they all go pretty damn slow, but i'll take comfort over speed any day.
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