CHICAGO — Due to forecast blizzard conditions in North Dakota and Montana this week, Amtrak has terminated its Empire Builder service between St. Paul and Spokane, Wash. The eastbound Empire Builder from Seattle ran with its full set of equipment on April 11 and 12 from Seattle to Spokane, where it terminated. On the same days, train 8 ran from St. Paul to Chicago with a reduced consist.
On April 12 and 13 the westbound Empire Builder operated from Chicago to St. Paul as a stub train with no sleeper, and between Spokane and Seattle with regular equipment. No service was operated between Spokane and St. Paul.
The Empire Builder does not operate westbound out of Chicago or eastbound out of Seattle on Thursdays or Fridays, so the next service west of St. Paul will not operate until April 16, and east of Spokane on April 17.
The blizzard in Montana and North Dakota has included 60 mph winds and whiteout conditions with up to 47 inches of snow in some mountain areas. A “No Travel” advisory remains in effect for the area as meteorologists predicted the spring snowstorm could become one of the biggest in a quarter century. The storm is expected to continuing piling snow on residents through Thursday.
Unlike the former Pullman Company ads, Amtrak elects to not provide dependable, all weather transportation.
Perhaps this snowflake mentality is Amtrak’s legacy turning over its senior management to those without the requisite railroad operating experience, but rather, “flyboys” used to grounding their jets to avoid turbulence. Did any freight railroads close down for this weather event?
How many of us fondly remember disembarking our trains in Chicago after traversing harsh blizzards in the Northwest and Midwest, admiring the snow encrusted lead E or F units at the bumper post?
Without proper leadership in corporate management and at the Board level, the billions of tax payer funds earmarked for Amtrak will inevitably be frittered away by those decision-makers who still think “Gandy Dancer” is a bar near Amtrak’s Washington HQ.
Yes this type storm did shut down both GN and NP. Understand there were a few trains stranded when they ran out of fuel or water. BNSF is closing down as well. So Amtrak has no choice. BNSF cannot guarantee that crew vans can make normal meets and HOS shutdowns.
Interstate closed in ND + other routes. No way to move crews.
https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/weather/blizzard-blasts-north-dakota-for-a-3rd-straight-day-but-begins-moving-out/article_a86afca2-bbf8-11ec-997a-67d6364b60ff.html
TOO logical.
Just maybe AMTRAK could show some flexibility and adjust its “off days” to account for cancellations on its “on days.”