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[RailHaRRy]

Steve Weagant called me a few minutes ago to report that he is sitting in NOL waiting to leave for CHI on the City of New Orleans (train 58) which is going to be delayed at least 4 hours due to water over the rails on the CN(IC) route north of NOL. Train 59 is also being held somewhere in Mississippi.

Steve will have a full report of his trip for us in a few days.

[RailHaRRy]

Steve's train (#58 of 10/10) did not do well at all. Following from Amtrak via John Sita in e-mails:

The CN/IC reported several track inspections in progress due to heavy storms from Tropical Depression Matthew.  One inspection found a 50-yard washout south of MP874.5/South Manchac on the McComb District.  Ballast and M of W crews were ordered to make repairs.  As a result of initial track restoration being between 5:00 PM-CT and 6:00 PM-CT, Train #59 (10/9) was held at Hammond, and Train #58 (10/10) crew was given a respite at New Orleans and the train was held for open track at 6:45 PM-CT.  #58 (10/10) was then held at Orleans Jct./MP 900.8 for 3 CN/IC freights and #59 (10/09) to operate south ahead through washout area, then followed freights north to Hammond due to congestion.  Then #59 (10/09) was delayed at Manchac/MP 874.5 account a bridge lock light was left on after the freight ahead had cleared bridge, necessary to wait for a maintainer to inspect bridge, then follow freights to Southport Jct./MP 908.6.  Delay #59 (10/09) 5:42” HMD, 1:00 Manchac, 1:03 Manchac-Southport Jct.  Delay #58 (10/10) 5:14 NOL, 5:22 Orleans Jct.-HMD.