Amtrak service disrupted by Hurricane Earl Options

[KevinKorell]

Service Alert as of 9/1/10, 2:30 PM:

Some Virginia Service Canceled in Preparation for Hurricane Earl

Severe weather caused by the approach of Hurricane Earl has led to the planned closure of the route used by some Northeast Regional trains in Virginia, specifically the Tidewater area to Newport News. Amtrak is working closely with CSX, the owner of the route in Virginia, and is continuing to monitor the hurricane as it moves along the Eastern Seaboard.

Amtrak is notifying customers of the following steps, effective Thursday, September 2:

Train 67 will terminate in Richmond, instead of Newport News.
Train 66 will originate in Richmond, instead of Newport News.
Train 95 will terminate in Washington, DC, instead of Newport News.

On Friday, Septembetr 3:

Train 66 will originate in Richmond instead of Newport News.
Train 94 will originate in Washington, instead of Newport News.
Train 95 will terminate in Washington, instead of Newport News.
Train 83 will terminate in Washington, instead of Newport News.
Train 78 is canceled.

On Saturday, September 4:

Train 194 will originate in Richmond instead of Newport News.
Train 82 will originate in Washington instead of Newport News.

Also planned to continue to operate through Virginia will be the Northeast Regional trains to Lynchburg, the Crescent, Cardinal and Auto Train.

Users of all travel modes in the Northeast are advised to monitor weather conditions this Labor Day Weekend. Amtrak will post updates on Amtrak.com, notify affected customers who have provided contact information, utilize the news media and other means to provide information.

Amtrak regrets any inconvenience. This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant. Passengers are encouraged to call 800-USA-RAIL or visit http://www.Amtrak.com/ for schedule information and train status updates.

News flash to Amtrak: Train 82 normally originates in Richmond, not Newport News. Did you really think that would get by me?

More updates to follow.

[AlanB]

While so far no official update has been issued on Amtrak's website, Amtrak has decided to cancel all north/eastbound trains out of NYP immediately after the 5:00 PM departure of Acela 2168. I had noticed last night that Amtrak had blacked out all sales on trains after 2168, and similar blackouts coming west from Boston. This includes the overnight runs of 66/67.

Less than an hour ago I got the call telling me that I would not be able to travel on 2172 as they were cancelling my train. Thankfully I was able to get onto 2166 at 4:00 PM, but it's filling up fast. Only FC seating is left at this point in time. 2168 only has 3 FC seats left as of a few minutes ago.

So far, no cancellations for tomorrow, a pattern that I hope continues.

[KevinKorell]

Service alert as of 9/2/10, 3:30 PM:

Amtrak Continues to Monitor Hurricane Earl
Some Virginia Service Canceled Friday and Saturday in Preparation for Hurricane Earl

Last Updated September 2, 2010, 3:30 pm EDT

Severe weather caused by the approach of Hurricane Earl has led to the planned closure of the route used by some Northeast Regional trains in Virginia, specifically the Tidewater area to Newport News. Amtrak is working closely with CSX, the owner of the route in Virginia, and is continuing to monitor the hurricane as it moves along the Eastern Seaboard.

Passengers scheduled to travel between New York and Boston on Friday are advised to call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL, or visit http://www.Amtrak.com/ before departing for their individual stations, as additional service adjustments can become necessary as the storm moves up the coast.

Users of all travel modes in the Northeast are advised to monitor weather conditions this Labor Day Weekend. Amtrak will post updates on Amtrak.com, notify affected customers who have provided contact information, utilize the news media and other means to provide information.

Richmond references below refer to the Amtrak Station on Staples Mill Road.

Amtrak is notifying customers of the following steps, effective Friday, September 3:

* Train 66 will originate in Richmond, instead of Newport News.
* Train 94 will originate in Washington, instead of Newport News.
* Train 95 will terminate in Richmond, instead of Newport News.
* Train 83 will terminate in Washington, instead of Newport News.
* Train 67 will terminate in Richmond, instead of Newport News.
* Train 78 is canceled.

On Saturday, September 4:

* Train 194 will originate in Richmond, instead of Newport News.
* Train 82 will originate in Washington, instead of Newport News.

Alternate transportation will only be available between Washington and Richmond, as other Northeast Regional trains will operate to Richmond, plus the Carolinian, Silver Star, Silver Meteor and Palmetto.

Also planned to continue to operate through Virginia will be the Northeast Regional trains to Lynchburg, the Crescent, Cardinal and Auto Train.

Amtrak regrets any inconvenience. This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant. Passengers are encouraged to call 800-USA-RAIL or visit http://www.Amtrak.com/ for schedule information and train status updates.

[AlanB]

And the service alert as of 12:30 PM. 9/3:

Amtrak Continues to Monitor Hurricane Earl
Some Service Changes in the Northeast

Last Updated September 3, 2010, 12:30 pm EDT

As Hurricane Earl continues to progress in the Northeast, Amtrak has made schedule adjustments to trains. Users of all travel modes along the Eastern Seaboard are advised to monitor weather conditions this Labor Day Weekend. Amtrak will post updates on Amtrak.com, notify affected customers who have provided contact information, utilize the news media and other means to provide information.

The following adjustments have been made for trains between New York and Boston (South Station) for Friday, September 3:

Trains 94, 178 and 66 will terminate in New York, instead of Boston. Acela Express Trains 2170 and 2172 will terminate in New York, instead of Boston. Trains 177 and 67 will originate in New York, instead of Boston. Acela Express Train 2193 is canceled. Train 179 is canceled. Passengers connecting from Train 479 can travel on the Metro North Commuter Railroad to points south of New Haven. Alternate transportation between New York and Boston will be provided on other Amtrak trains, as available.

Amtrak service in the Tidewater area to Newport News is also affected. The following adjustments have been made for trains traveling south of Washington, DC to Richmond (Staples Mill Station) and Newport News for Friday, September 3:

Train 66 will originate in Richmond, instead of Newport News. Train 94 will originate in Washington, instead of Newport News. Train 95 will terminate in Richmond, instead of Newport News. Train 83 will terminate in Washington, instead of Newport News. Train 67 will terminate in Richmond, instead of Newport News. Train 78 is canceled. On Saturday, September 4:

Train 194 will originate in Richmond, instead of Newport News. Train 82 will originate in Washington, instead of Newport News. Alternate transportation will only be available between Washington and Richmond, as other Northeast Regional trains will operate to Richmond, plus the Carolinian, Silver Star, Silver Meteor and Palmetto.

[jacorbett70]

This is posted on Amtrak's Service Alerts section. Since Earl's center is still a few hours away it could be a while until New England service is restored.

Through Service Suspended between New York and Boston
Overhead Wire Damage and Severe Storms from Hurricane Earl

Last Updated September 3, 2010, 2:30 pm EDT

Overhead electrical system damage from a tree which fell from outside Amtrak property in Connecticut and more severe weather forecasted this evening has led Amtrak to suspend all through service between New York and Boston (South Station).

Those passengers currently on Amtrak trains in the affected area are being returned to their stations.

Amtrak will issue further statements regarding Hurricane Earl directly on Amtrak.com, Twitter and Facebook, on 1-800-USA-RAIL and to the news media.

Amtrak regrets any inconvenience. This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant. Passengers are encouraged to call 1-800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com for schedule information and train status updates.

[jacorbett70]

Update on Amtrak site:

Some Suspended Amtrak Trains Restored after Hurricane Earl, Others Pending

Overhead Wire Damage and Severe Storms from Hurricane Earl

Last Updated September 3, 2010, 6:00 pm EDT

Tidewater area service resumes; Saturday morning announcement planned regarding New York-Boston (South Station) trains

Planned Amtrak service restoration between Richmond (Staples Mill Road) and Newport News, Va., is set for Saturday, September 4. Northeast Regional Trains 66 and 67 will be the first to operate between Richmond and Newport News.

Overhead electrical system damage from a tree that fell from outside Amtrak property in Connecticut and forecasted severe weather from Hurricane Earl led Amtrak to suspend all through service between New York and Boston (South Station) at 2:30 p.m. EDT on Friday, September 3. Those passengers on Amtrak trains in the affected area were returned to their stations and refunds were provided for canceled service.

After infrastructure inspections early this Saturday morning, Amtrak will announce plans for service between New York and Boston directly on Amtrak.com, Twitter, Facebook, via 800-USA-RAIL and to the news media.

Amtrak Downeaster service continues to operate between Boston (North Station) and Portland, as does Amtrak Shuttle service from Springfield, Mass., Empire Service in New York and other Amtrak trains south of New York City, including Acela Express, Northeast Regional and Keystone Service.

[AlanB]

Yup, my trip today went from 2172, to 2168, to 2119. Yes, that's a change of direction. Instead of going to Boston, we changed directions rebooking everything on the fly as it were from the Club Acela Lounge in NYP. Changed trains, hotels, cancelled other hotels & trains.

Apparently a tree not on Amtrak property fell down taking out the wires on both tracks and catching fire in the progress. With things now out of comission, Amtrak cancelled everything from 3PM on in both directions.

Two Acelas out of Boston were turned around, as were two Acelas out of NY, all returning their pax to their originating stations; assuming that the pax didn't jump ship. I've heard rumors that many pax jumped off in New Haven and are now stuck there. At least 1 Regional in each direction was also turned around, but again a rumor suggests that one Regional in each direction received a diesel locomotive and continued its journey.

But all in all, a very big mess for Amtrak.

[KevinKorell]

It appears that the downed tree was in the New London vicinity, probably west of there since a train made it there from Boston before dumping passengers. The headline below is misleading, as service was not cancelled west/south of New York City.

From The Day, New London, CT, 9/3/10:

Amtrak suspends all Northeast Corridor service

A spokesperson for Amtrak said the wire had been repaired by Friday evening, but service was still suspended due to the weather.

This story here.

[AlanB]

It appears that the downed tree was in the New London vicinity, probably west of there since a train made it there from Boston before dumping passengers. The headline below is misleading, as service was not cancelled west/south of New York City.

And I most certainly confirm that service was not cancelled west/south of NYC, as I'm currently sitting on my bed in the Renaissance Mayflower in DC. I traded that hotel for the Renaissance Waterfront in Boston where we were supposed to spend the night. While the ride going south cost more money than what we had booked going north, we offset some of that expense by hitting a cheaper hotel.

And yes, I see that I had forgotten to add that the train was in the New London area. Sorry!

[KevinKorell]

NY-1, 9/4/10:

Storm Scare Affects LIRR, Amtrak Train Service

Hurricane Earl bypassed the city, but travelers received the worst effects of the storm on Friday, as the Long Island Rail Road reduced service to eastern Long Island and Amtrak suspended service to Boston.

This story here.