10 replies to this topic

[AlanB]

Here's the official Amtrak press release:

AMTRAK MAKES SERVICE CHANGES DUE TO HURRICANE FRANCES’ EXPECTED LANDFALL
Rail service to and from Florida disrupted

WASHINGTON - Amtrak, in consultation with CSX Transportation and emergency management officials, is announcing service changes in Florida based on the predicted landfall of Hurricane Frances.  Amtrak is notifying customers of the following:

These trains to Florida from the north and west are affected:

Palmetto, Train 89,which originated today (Wednesday) from New York, will continue to its destination of Miami tomorrow (Thursday), but will bypass Tampa with alternate transportation to Tampa provided.

Silver Star, Train 91, which originated today (Wednesday) from New York, will terminate in Orlando instead of Miami tomorrow (Thursday), with no alternate transportation available south from Orlando.

Silver Meteor, Train 97, which originated today (Wednesday) from New York, will terminate in Orlando instead of Miami tomorrow (Thursday), with no alternate transportation available south from Orlando.

Sunset Limited, Train 2, which originated Sunday from Los Angeles, will terminate in Sanford instead of Orlando tomorrow (Thursday), with alternate transportation available south to Orlando.

Sunset Limited, Train 2, which originates today (Wednesday) from Los Angeles, will terminate in New Orleans on Friday instead of Orlando on Saturday, with no alternate transportation available east to Orlando.

Palmetto, Train 89, which originates tomorrow (Sept. 2) from New York, is cancelled.

Silver Star, Train 91, which originates tomorrow (Sept. 2) from New York, will terminate in Jacksonville instead of Miami on Friday, with no alternate transportation available south from Jacksonville.

Silver Meteor, Train 97, which originates tomorrow (Sept. 2) from New York, will terminate in Jacksonville instead of Miami on Friday, with no alternate transportation available south from Jacksonville.

This train to the north and west from Florida is affected:

Sunset Limited, Train 1, which originates tomorrow (Sept. 2) from Orlando, will originate in Sanford, with alternate transportation available from Orlando.

All other services tomorrow (Sept. 2) to the north from Florida (Palmetto, Silver Star, Silver Meteor & Auto Train) are expected to operate normally, with additional capacity added to the Palmetto and the Silver Service trains.

These plans are subject to change, as conditions dictate.

Amtrak will provide daily updates to the www.amtrak.com website and passengers are invited to check on the web or by calling 800-USA-RAIL for additional information until the hurricane passes or dissipates.

The full press release can be found here.

[AlanB]

Here's the latest from Amtrak, effective tomorrow Friday the 3rd.

DUE TO HURRICANE FRANCES' EXPECTED LANDFALL

All southbound service to Florida suspended, effective Sept. 3
Limited northbound service from Florida continues Sept. 3

WASHINGTON - Amtrak, in consultation with CSX Transportation and emergency management officials, is continuing to make service changes to and from Florida based on the predicted landfall of Hurricane Frances. Amtrak is notifying customers of the following:

These trains from the north to Florida are affected

Palmetto (Train 89), Silver Star (Train 91), and Silver Meteor (Train 97), which originate tomorrow (Sept. 3) from New York to Miami, are canceled with no alternate transportation available.

Auto Train (Train 53), which originates tomorrow (Sept 3.) from Lorton, Va., to Sanford is canceled with no alternate transportation available.

These trains to the north from Florida are affected

Palmetto (Train 90) and Silver Star (Train 92), which originate tomorrow (Sept. 3) from Miami to New York, are canceled with no alternate transportation available.

Silver Meteor (Train 98) will originate in Sanford instead of Miami tomorrow (Sept. 3), with alternate transportation provided from Orlando and Winter Park only.

Auto Train (Train 52), will originate in Sanford and operate to Lorton.

Also effective tomorrow (Sept. 3) all Amtrak facilities south of Orlando will be closed and secured, including Tampa, Sebring, West Palm Beach, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Miami.

These plans are subject to change, as conditions dictate.
Amtrak will provide daily updates to the www.amtrak.com website and passengers are invited to check on the web or by calling 800-USA-RAIL for additional information until the hurricane passes or dissipates.

The full press release can be found here.

[BillMagee]

I know this is a rail site, but to show how serious this really is, following is a sampling of Florida airport closures: Ft. Lauderdale (FLL) - Closed from 10:00 am September 3 through 12:00pm September 5 Miami (MIA) - Closed from 11:45 am September 3 through 12:00 pm September 5 Orlando (MCO) - Closed from 12:00 pm September 3 through 12:00 pm September 5 West Palm Beach (PBI) - Closed from 9:25 am September 3 through 12:00 pm September 5 All airlines are ferrying aircraft from FL to safer locales this evening. My suspicion is that the stated opening times are projections based on only minor damage. Lets hope this storm weakens before landfall. Right now it is a monster.

[CNJRoss]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Media Relations
202-906-3860
ATK-04-088
September 3, 2004
11:30 AM EDT

AMTRAK SUSPENDS ALL SERVICE TO AND FROM FLORIDA STARTING SATURDAY

Stations to be closed and secured from the Carolinas south to Miami, also effective September 4

Additional capacity added to Carolinian route to Charlotte

WASHINGTON - Amtrak has suspended all northbound and southbound passenger rail services between New York and Florida, effective September 4, based on the predicted landfall of Hurricane Frances. Amtrak is notifying customers of the following:

These trains from the north to Florida are affected

Palmetto (Train 89), Silver Star (Train 91), and Silver Meteor (Train 97), which originate tomorrow (Sept. 4) from New York to Miami, are canceled with no alternate transportation available.

Auto Train (Train 53), which originates tomorrow (Sept 4.) from Lorton, Va., to Sanford is canceled with no alternate transportation available.

These trains to the north from Florida are affected

Palmetto (Train 90), Silver Star (Train 92) and Silver Meteor (Train 98), which originate tomorrow (Sept. 4) from Miami to New York, are canceled with no alternate transportation available.

Auto Train (Train 52), which originates tomorrow (Sept 4.) from Lorton, Va., to Sanford is canceled with no alternate transportation available.

Effective today (Sept. 3), Amtrak is adding capacity to its Carolinian trains to and from New York and Charlotte (Trains 79 & 80) in order to accommodate passengers unable to travel to and from the Carolinas on the Florida services.

Also effective tomorrow (Sept. 4) all Amtrak facilities on Florida routes south of Columbia, S.C., and Fayetteville, N.C., will be closed and secured, including Savannah, Ga., and all stations in Florida.

These plans are subject to change, as conditions dictate.

Amtrak will provide daily updates to the www.amtrak.com website and passengers are invited to check on the web or by calling 800-USA-RAIL for additional information until the hurricane passes or dissipates.

[NickG]

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch, 9/4/04:

Frances hinders Amtrak

Amtrak has battened down the hatches from North Carolina to Florida today, canceling all train service threatened by Hurricane Frances.

The full story is here.

[NickG]

Here's Amtrak's service plan for Sunday, 9/5:

AMTRAK FLORIDA SERVICE SUSPENSION CONTINUES

Stations closed and secured from the Carolinas south to Miami
Additional capacity provided on Carolinian route to Charlotte
Service from west via New Orleans also affected

WASHINGTON -- Amtrak is continuing its suspension of all northbound and southbound passenger rail services between New York and Florida, based on the landfall of Hurricane Frances.  Some service on Monday (Sept. 6) and other services from the west are also affected.  Amtrak is notifying customers of the following:

These trains from the north to Florida are affected:

Palmetto (Train 89), Silver Star (Train 91), and Silver Meteor (Train 97), which originate tomorrow (Sept. 5) from New York to Miami, are canceled with no alternate transportation available.

Auto Train (Train 53), which originates tomorrow (Sept 5.) from Lorton, Va., to Sanford is canceled with no alternate transportation available.

This train from the west to Florida is affected:

Sunset Limited (Train 2), which originated in Los Angeles yesterday (Sept. 3), will terminate in New Orleans instead of Orlando, with no alternate transportation available.

These trains to the north from Florida are affected:

Palmetto (Train 90), Silver Star (Train 92) and Silver Meteor (Train 98), which originate tomorrow (Sept. 5) from Miami to New York, are canceled with no alternate transportation available.

Auto Train (Train 52), which originates tomorrow and Monday (Sept. 5 & Sept. 6) from Sanford to Lorton are canceled with no alternate transportation available.

This train to the west from Florida is affected:

Sunset Limited (Train 1), which originates tomorrow (Sept. 5) from Orlando will originate in New Orleans instead, with no alternate transportation available.

Amtrak is adding capacity to its Carolinian trains to and from New York and Charlotte (Trains 79 & 80) in order to accommodate passengers unable to travel to and from the Carolinas on the Florida services.

All Amtrak facilities on Florida routes south of Columbia, S.C., and Fayetteville, N.C., will be closed and secured, including Savannah, Ga., and all stations in Florida.

These plans are subject to change, as conditions dictate.

[NickG]

Here's the service plan for Monday, 9/6 and Tuesday, 9/7:

FLORIDA AMTRAK SERVICE SUSPENDED

Monday's Silver Star, Silver Meteor & Palmetto trains to and from New York and Florida canceled

Tuesday's northbound Auto Train canceled, other Florida trains uncertain

Los Angeles - Orlando Sunset Limited service also affected

WASHINGTON -- Amtrak is maintaining its suspension of all northbound and southbound passenger rail services on New York-Florida routes on Monday (Sept. 6), pending railroad infrastructure inspections and damage assessments from the landfall of Hurricane Frances.  Two trains on Tuesday (Sept. 7) are also affected. 

Other Amtrak services along the Eastern Seaboard and the Northeast Corridor are operating.

Amtrak is notifying customers of the following:

These trains from the north to Florida are affected:

Palmetto (Train 89), Silver Star (Train 91), and Silver Meteor (Train 97), which originate tomorrow (Sept. 6) from New York to Miami, are canceled with no alternate transportation available.

Auto Train (Train 53), which originates tomorrow (Sept. 6) from Lorton, Va., to Sanford is canceled with no alternate transportation available.

This train from the west to Florida is affected:

Sunset Limited (Train 2), which originates in Los Angeles today (Sept. 5), will terminate in New Orleans instead of Orlando, with no alternate transportation available.

These trains to the north from Florida are affected:

Palmetto (Train 90), Silver Star (Train 92) and Silver Meteor (Train 98), which originate tomorrow (Sept. 6) from Miami to New York, are canceled with no alternate transportation available.

Auto Train (Train 52), which originates tomorrow and Tuesday (Sept. 6 & Sept. 7) from Sanford to Lorton are canceled with no alternate transportation available.

This train to the west from Florida is affected:

Sunset Limited (Train 1), which originates Tuesday (Sept. 7) and Thursday (Sept. 9) from Orlando will originate in New Orleans instead, with no alternate transportation available.

All Amtrak facilities on Florida routes south of Columbia, S.C., and Fayetteville, N.C., are closed and secured, including Savannah, Ga., and all stations in Florida.  Initial inspections and assessments of Amtrak equipment and other property are underway in an effort to restore services as soon as possible. 

Amtrak has added capacity to its Carolinian trains to and from New York and Charlotte (Trains 79 & 80) in order to accommodate passengers unable to travel to and from the Carolinas on the Florida services.

These plans are subject to change, as conditions dictate.

[AlanB]

September 6, 2004
10:00 AM EDT

MOST FLORIDA AMTRAK SERVICE STILL SUSPENDED
Tuesday's Silver Star, Silver Meteor, Auto Train and northbound Palmetto canceled
Decision on Tuesday's Palmetto service southbound to Florida pending
Wednesday's northbound Auto Train canceled
Los Angeles - Orlando Sunset Limited service also affected

WASHINGTON -- Amtrak is working with CSX Transportation and local authorities to restore passenger rail service to and from Florida.  However, pending additional railroad infrastructure inspections and damage assessments from Hurricane Frances, some cancellations are in affect now, with a further announcement expected this evening (Sept. 6).

Other Amtrak services along the Eastern Seaboard and the Northeast Corridor are operating.

Amtrak is notifying customers of the following:

These trains from the north to Florida are affected:

Silver Star (Train 91) and Silver Meteor (Train 97), which originate tomorrow (Sept. 7) from New York to Miami, are canceled with no alternate transportation available.  An announcement about the Palmetto (Train 89), which originates tomorrow from New York, will be made this evening (Sept. 6), but operation of the train south of Jacksonville is not possible. Auto Train (Train 53), which originates tomorrow (Sept. 7) from Lorton, Va., to Sanford is canceled with no alternate transportation available.

These trains to the north from Florida are affected:

Palmetto (Train 90), Silver Star (Train 92) and Silver Meteor (Train 98), which originate tomorrow (Sept. 7) from Miami to New York, are canceled with no alternate transportation available.

Auto Train (Train 52), which originates tomorrow and Wednesday (Sept. 7 & Sept. 8) from Sanford to Lorton are canceled with no alternate transportation available.

These trains to the west from Florida are affected:

Sunset Limited (Train 1), which originates tomorrow (Sept. 7) and Thursday (Sept. 9) from Orlando will originate in New Orleans instead, with no alternate transportation available.

All Amtrak facilities on Florida routes south of Columbia, S.C., and Fayetteville, N.C., are closed and secured, including Savannah, Ga., and all stations in Florida.  Inspections and assessments of Amtrak equipment and other property are underway in an effort to restore services as soon as possible.  Major electrical distribution outages, debris along tracks and damage to rail traffic control systems owned and maintained by CSX Transportation prevent an immediate restoration of all services.

Amtrak has added capacity to its Carolinian trains to and from New York and Charlotte (Trains 79 & 80) in order to accommodate passengers unable to travel to and from the Carolinas on the Florida services.

These plans are subject to change, as conditions dictate.

Amtrak will provide daily updates to the www.amtrak.com website and passengers are invited to check on the web or by calling 800-USA-RAIL for additional information.

[NickG]

September 6, 2004
7:00 PM EDT

AMTRAK TO RESTORE LIMITED FLORIDA SERVICE

Tuesday's Palmetto to operate to and from Jacksonville and New York
Tuesday's Silver Star, Silver Meteor, Auto Train canceled
Wednesday's northbound Auto Train canceled
Los Angeles - Orlando Sunset Limited service still affected

WASHINGTON -- Amtrak is restoring limited service to and from Florida, effective tomorrow (Sept. 7): the Palmetto will operate to and from Jacksonville, with no alternate transportation available south of Jacksonville.  However, pending additional railroad infrastructure inspections and damage assessments from Hurricane Frances, other cancellations remain in effect.  Other Amtrak services along the Eastern Seaboard and the Northeast Corridor are operating.

Amtrak is notifying customers of the following:

These trains from the north to Florida are affected:

Silver Star (Train 91) and Silver Meteor (Train 97), which originate tomorrow (Sept. 7) from New York to Miami, are canceled with no alternate transportation available.  The Palmetto (Train 89), which originates tomorrow (Sept. 7) from New York, will operate as far south as Jacksonville, with no alternate transportation available.  Continuation of the train south of Jacksonville to Tampa and Miami is not yet possible.

Auto Train (Train 53), which originates tomorrow (Sept. 7) from Lorton, Va., to Sanford is canceled with no alternate transportation available.

These trains to the north from Florida are affected:

Silver Star (Train 92) and Silver Meteor (Train 98), which originate tomorrow (Sept. 7) from Miami to New York, are canceled with no alternate transportation available.  The Palmetto (Train 90), which is scheduled to originate tomorrow (Sept.7) and Wednesday (Sept. 8) from Miami, will originate from Jacksonville instead, subject to some delay and with no alternate transportation available. 

Auto Train (Train 52), which originates tomorrow (Sept. 7) and Wednesday (Sept. 8) from Sanford to Lorton is canceled with no alternate transportation available .

These trains to the west from Florida are affected:

Sunset Limited (Train 1), which is scheduled to originate tomorrow (Sept. 7) and Thursday (Sept. 9) from Orlando will originate in New Orleans instead, with no alternate transportation available.

Amtrak is working with CSX Transportation and local authorities to restore other passenger rail service to and from Florida.  Major electrical distribution outages, debris along tracks and damage to rail traffic control systems owned and maintained by CSX prevent an immediate restoration of all services.  Inspections and assessments of Amtrak equipment and other property are underway in an effort to restore all services as soon as possible.

Amtrak has added capacity to its Carolinian trains to and from New York and Charlotte (Trains 79 & 80) in order to accommodate passengers unable to travel to and from the Carolinas on the Florida services.

These plans are subject to change, as conditions dictate.

[AlanB]

Tuesday's update on Florida service:

September 7, 2004
4:00 PM EDT

AMTRAK TO RESTORE MORE FLORIDA SERVICE
Wednesday's Silver Star & Palmetto to operate to and from Jacksonville and New York
Wednesday's Silver Meteor and Auto Train canceled
Los Angeles - Orlando Sunset Limited service also affected

WASHINGTON -- Amtrak is restoring more service to and from Florida, effective tomorrow (Sept. 8): the Silver Star will operate to and from Jacksonville via Columbia, S.C., and the Palmetto will operate to and from Jacksonville via Florence, S.C.  No alternate transportation is available south of Jacksonville.  Other cancellations remain in effect, pending additional railroad infrastructure work and damage repairs from Hurricane Frances. 

Other Amtrak services along the Eastern Seaboard and the Northeast Corridor are operating, subject to some delays in areas where Frances lingers as a tropical depression with very heavy rains and associated electrical outages.

Amtrak is notifying customers of the following:

These trains from the north to Florida are affected:

Silver Star (Train 91) and Palmetto (Train 89), which are scheduled originate tomorrow (Sept. 8) from New York to Miami, will operate as far south as Jacksonville, with no alternate transportation available.  Continuation of the trains south of Jacksonville to Tampa and Miami is not possible at this time.  The Silver Meteor (Train 97), which is scheduled to originate tomorrow (Sept. 8) from New York to Miami, is canceled with no alternate transportation available.

Auto Train (Train 53), which is scheduled to originate tomorrow (Sept. 8) from Lorton, Va., to Sanford is canceled with no alternate transportation available.

These trains to the north from Florida are affected:

Silver Star (Train 92) and Palmetto (Train 90), which are scheduled to originate tomorrow (Sept. 8) from Miami, will originate from Jacksonville instead, with no alternate transportation available.  The Silver Meteor (Train 98), which is scheduled to originate tomorrow (Sept. 8) from Miami to New York, is canceled with no alternate transportation available. 

Auto Train (Train 52), which is scheduled to originate tomorrow (Sept. 8) and Thursday (Sept. 9) from Sanford to Lorton, is canceled with no alternate transportation available.

This train to the west from Florida is affected:

Sunset Limited (Train 1), which is scheduled to originate Thursday (Sept. 9) from Orlando will originate in New Orleans instead, with no alternate transportation available.

Inspections, assessments and repairs of Amtrak property are underway in an effort to restore all services as soon as possible. Major electrical distribution outages, debris along tracks and damage to rail traffic control systems owned and maintained by CSX Transportation prevent an immediate restoration of all services.

Amtrak has added capacity to its Carolinian trains to and from New York and Charlotte (Trains 79 & 80) in order to accommodate passengers unable to travel to and from the Carolinas on the Florida services.

Amtrak will provide daily updates to the www.amtrak.com website and passengers are invited to check on the web or by calling 800-USA-RAIL for additional information.