2 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

As posted by Gene Poon: Amtrak is planning to shut down operations in Texas in advance of Hurricane Rita. The last westbound Sunset originating out of San Antonio was Train 1(20) which is already on its way. Train 2(21) is to be tied down in San Antonio and held for resumption of service. Trains 2(23) and 422(23) are cancelled entirely with no alternate transportation. Texas Eagles: the last Texas Eagle to operate to San Antonio will be Train 21(21). It will turn to Train 22(23) which will run to Chicago normally. Train 21(22) will terminate at Ft. Worth with no alternate transportation. Equipment will hold there pending resumption of service. Train 21(23) is cancelled; a Train 321(23) will operate CHI-STL only, no alternate transportation beyond STL. Houston-Longview Thruway Buses are cancelled on Sep 23 with no alternate transportation, due to decision by contract bus operator. Plans for 24SEP and beyond are pending further decisions. Stations will be closed at the arrival/departure of the last train, or at the end of business hours on Friday, Sep. 23; and will not reopen until resumption of service. Notices referring passengers to 1-800-USA-RAIL will be placed in stations. Oklahoma service will probably NOT be affected due to operating conditions, according to BNSF. So the Heartland Flyer is planned to operate on Friday, 23SEP. Further decision pending for 24SEP, depending on the path or intensity of the storm.

[AlanB]

Here's Amtrak's official press release:

September 22, 2005 2:00 p.m. CT

Due to the forecast landfall of Hurricane Rita, Amtrak will implement a revised service plan for its trains to and from Texas. Plans are in place for the Texas Eagle, Sunset Limited and Heartland Flyer through September 23, when an update on these temporary service suspensions will be issued on Amtrak.com and to the news media.

Passengers wishing to travel in the area for the next several days should closely monitor the Amtrak website or call 800-USA-RAIL for the latest information.

Amtrak is offering full refunds and waiving all fees for passengers who made reservations traveling into or out of Texas on the affected dates. Amtrak is unable to provide alternate transportation in the affected area at this time and is notifying passengers about these temporary service suspensions.

Southbound Texas Eagle , train 21

The Texas Eagle scheduled to originate in Chicago on September 22 will terminate in Fort Worth instead of San Antonio on September 23.
The Texas Eagle scheduled to originate in Chicago on September 23 will terminate in St. Louis instead of San Antonio.
Northbound Texas Eagle , train 22

The Texas Eagle scheduled to originate in San Antonio on September 23 will operate normally to Chicago.
The Texas Eagle scheduled to originate in San Antonio on September 24 will originate instead in Saint Louis on September 25.
Westbound Sunset Limited , train 1

The Sunset Limited scheduled to originate in San Antonio on September 24 is cancelled.
Eastbound Sunset Limited , train 2

The Sunset Limited scheduled to originate in Los Angeles on September 23 is cancelled.
Heartland Flyer , trains 821 & 822

No changes have been announced regarding Heartland Flyer service between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City. However, Amtrak is closely monitoring reports from the National Weather Service and the BNSF Railway Company.

All Amtrak stations on these routes south of St. Louis and east of Los Angeles will remain open until the departures of the last trains prior to this disruption. The stations will be closed during the temporary service suspensions. Customers will be assisted by calling 800-USA-RAIL.

The full press release can be found here.

[BillMagee]

And off the rail topic (unless you stretch to include the Amtrak codeshare), Continental Airlines (CO), with a hub operation at Houston (IAH), will cease operations out of IAH Friday (9/23) at 12:30pm. They have flown in several hundred additional personnel (plus TSA screeners) from as far away as Newark and Los Angeles to aid in handling the crush load, have advised connecting passengers to not travel through IAH to avoid being stranded, and have suggested that IAH originating passengers bring only carry-on baggage to simplify handling. CO will ferry their staff out of IAH on the last few departing flights (including some non-rev moves). The airport will not officially close until it is no longer safe for the FAA to staff the control tower. What a mess! Let’s hope that the somewhat cooler water in the western Gulf and the dry air coming east will temper this beast before landfall. That may be wishful thinking.