International soon to be national only...

Amtrak has announced that the International, trains 365, 367 and 364 from Toronto to Chicago, via Port Huron, will be cut back to Michigan operation only, effective April 25, 2004.  VIA will continue to run a train from Sarnia to Toronto, but it will not connect with its Michigan counterpart.  The Amtrak train schedule will also be changed, according to reports.

NS Weather Alert...

Norfolk Southern Service Alert says that the Winter Storm May Cause Delays (1/26/2004).  A winter storm moving through the Midwest and into the Northeast is hampering Norfolk Southern operations across a wide area. Conditions include freezing rain, wind, ice and snow. Although operations continue at all locations, delays are expected due to conditions associated with this storm. Customers with shipments moving through this area should expect delays.  For information on specific shipments, please contact the National Customer Service Center at 800.635.5768.  Updates will be posted as conditions change.  Special note to customers with committed service agreements: Norfolk Southern in invoking force majeure effective noon, January 26, 2004 due to conditions noted above on all traffic originating or moving through affected area.
 

More Amtrak weather delays...

Eastbound Lake Cities, Train 352 (24JAN) departed Chicago 22 in late but only got 12 miles out when the HEP failed. Attempts were made to restore HEP by short-looping but were unsuccessful. It was found that Amfleet-I Dinette 43361 had a bad 480-volt socket and it was not repairable. Account cold weather the train could not operate without heat; it returned to Chicago and the equipment from Train 353 was turned to replace it.  Delay 3hr 07min.  Head End Power. The engine provides 480V power to the cars for heat, A/C and lights, etc.

Twilight Limited delayed due to toilet problem...

Twilight Ltd., Train 354 (22JAN) was delayed at station account too many toilets not working; conductor refused to depart until they were fixed.  Once the toilets were fixed, there was an head end power problem (HEP) and the train had to be short looped between the Amtrak 32 and the lead Coach.  Train was further delayed because of single tracking on the Norfolk Southern, waiting for incoming westbound Train 365 to clear.  Total delay 2hr 25min.  From Mark Tomlonson.

Train hits snowmobile in Coloma...

A train hit a snowmobile in Coloma, MI (Hagar Township) in southwest Michigan. No one injured. The snowmobile was abandoned after a front ski got caught on a rail. When the riders went looking for help, they heard a train coming. The train dragged the snowmobile for a mile scattering debris.  From Mike Dine.

Bridge locking delays Amtrak Pere Marquette...

Amtrak 370 was delayed at the St. Joseph Drawbridge 3 hours Thursday, January 8th.  The bridge had just let a ship pass, and the alignment lights would not go on after the bridge operator returned the bridge for rail use.  Mechanical was called.  Amtrak arrived into Grand Rapids at 0130 Friday morning.  From Glenn Gould.

Amtrak freeze problems...

The westbound Wolverine, Train 351 (05JAN) with AMTK 30 stopped at Kalamazoo because of inadequate main reservoir pressure.  Suspected cause was freezing water in the air lines.  Crew knocked ice off pipes and tanks and heated them with fusees to open up the air lines.  Train continued until the same thing happened at Michigan City and the same procedures were done again.  Train finally did make it to Chicago and the AMTK 30 was shopped.  Delay: 1hr 28min at Kalamazoo, 1hr 02min at Michigan City.  [Original post by Gene Poon]

Soo Locks To Stay Open Later...

The Soo locks usually closes on January 15th, but due to the late season demand the locks will stay open an extra 10 days;  scheduled to close on January 25th.  As for Lake Michigan, shipping goes however long the ice stays away.  From Derek T. via the U.P. board.