14 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

Amtrak news release, 10/28:

AMTRAK ESTABLISHES BLUE RIBBON PANEL TO ADDRESS CHICAGO RAIL GRIDLOCK
Congestion causing major delays for passengers and freight shipments

WASHINGTON – Amtrak is establishing a blue ribbon panel of rail and transportation leaders to identify infrastructure and operational improvements to address the rail traffic gridlock in Chicago. The unprecedented level of rail congestion is causing major delays for Amtrak passengers and freight shipments which are damaging to the U.S. economy.

Panel members on the Chicago Gateway Initiative include Jack Quinn, former U.S. Congressman and past chairman of the U.S. House Railroads Subcommittee, Linda Morgan, former chair of the Surface Transportation Board and Tom Carper, Amtrak board member and past chairman. The freight railroads which operate in Chicago and other stakeholders will be invited to participate in panel activities and are key to implementing recommended solutions.

Because Chicago is the hub of the U.S. rail network, and the key gateway between East and West rail traffic, gridlock in the Chicago area is causing major delays throughout the United States. The congestion problem is caused by a combination of rising demand on the East Coast for more intermodal freight and crude oil shipments which originate west of Chicago, underinvestment in critical rail infrastructure that produces public benefits and short term capital projects that create additional temporary bottlenecks.

The panel is charged with identifying and evaluating infrastructure investments and operational actions that will optimize Amtrak on-time performance and improve freight rail service. Its objectives are to minimize disruptions and delays, and accelerate the construction of infrastructure projects. A final report on recommendations is expected by the end of May 2015.

“The rail gridlock in Chicago is causing unacceptable delays for Amtrak passengers while reducing revenues and driving up operating costs for Amtrak,” said Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman.

Chicago is Amtrak’s most important hub and many of its trains that operate to and from the city are suffering from poor on-time performance, dispatching issues and high levels of freight train interference. For example, delays of four hours or more for Amtrak trains operating between Chicago and Cleveland have become a near daily occurrence. These and other major delays have ripple effects across the Amtrak national system. If Amtrak trains, which have statutory dispatching priority over freight trains, cannot be moved efficiently through the nation’s principal rail hub, then freight shipments will continue to be slowed by gridlock as well.

The CREATE program has been a concerted effort by freight railroads, Amtrak and other stakeholders to address rail congestion issues in Chicago and it has achieved several successes.

The Chicago Gateway Initiative will build on the CREATE program by re-energizing the conversation, stimulating new discussion about next steps for securing funding to implement CREATE projects, and seeking to improve cooperative efforts among the railroads.

“Alleviating Chicago rail congestion will be of great benefit to Amtrak passengers and the fluidity of the national freight transportation network,” said Boardman. “We need solutions and predictable dedicated funding to make the needed infrastructure investments. Let’s get started.”

# Panel Member Bios and Map Here (w/online release) #

[BillMagee]

Only Amtrak would describe three politicians as a "blue ribbon panel."

[steve4031]

And what about the problems created by Amtrak in its Chicago yard. There is an engine and equipment shortage that excaberates these delays.

[KevinKorell]

Hopefully the panel (and I don't care what color ribbons they use!) will be able to see both the freight related issues and the internal ones that Steve pointed out. It takes two to tango, and there may be some necessary looking in the mirror here. Perhaps better handling of equipment between runs, and better positioning of equipment in Chicago would be helpful. Allocating resources where they are needed (yard crews) rather than having them adhere to their solid work shifts would be of benefit too. In other words, if it is known a train is running late, then change that crew's shift so that they are available to handle it when it reaches Chicago. I am sure that Joe Boardman is tired of paying people's hotel bills in Chicago, hence this latest move. That it will take until mid 2015 to come up with solutions (if even possible to implement them all) is disturbing.

[CNJRoss]

Plain Dealer, Cleveland, OH, 10/28:

Amtrak zeroing in on train delays, cites Chicago-to-Cleveland sluggish service

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Amtrak said Tuesday it's stepping up efforts to relieve rail traffic gridlock in Chicago, the effects of which it described as radiating out nationwide.

Amtrak specifically cited delays of four hours or more between Chicago and Cleveland that it said have become a near daily experience.

Continue here.

[KevinKorell]

Another item in Cleveland, OH Plain Dealer, 11/17/14:

Amtrak asks feds to investigate Norfolk Southern, CSX, over train delays

Amtrak today asked the federal government to investigate Norfolk Southern Railway and CSX Transportation for "causing unacceptable delays for passengers" traveling on the Capitol Limited, which runs through Cleveland on its route between Chicago and Washington, D.C.

More here. That they used a photo showing a train stopped in Cleveland in daylight with the light rail already running for the day on the adjacent track should say it all !!

[CNJRoss]

Amtrak news release, 11/17:

AMTRAK ASKS SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD TO INVESTIGATE NORFOLK SOUTHERN AND CSX RAILROADS
Freight train interference causing unacceptable delays to passengers traveling between Chicago and Washington, DC

WASHINGTON – Amtrak is taking action to improve the on-time performance (OTP) of its trains that operate over tracks controlled by other railroads. In a complaint filed on Nov. 17, Amtrak is asking the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to investigate Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) and CSX Transportation (CSXT) for causing unacceptable delays for passengers traveling between Chicago and Washington, D.C., on the Capitol Limited service.

Amtrak is taking this action under Section 213 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act which mandates that the STB initiate an investigation upon the filing of a complaint by Amtrak if the on-time performance of an intercity passenger train falls below 80 percent for two consecutive quarters. In addition, under federal law, Amtrak has a statutory right to preference in the dispatching of intercity passenger trains before freight trains.

Due to persistent excessive delays caused by NS and CSXT freight train interference, the OTP of the Capitol Limited at its endpoint terminals was 2.7 percent for the quarter ending Sept. 30, down from an already substandard 33.6 percent the previous quarter. The delays are continuing as Amtrak had to provide bus transportation between Toledo and Chicago for six days in October to better accommodate passengers when Capitol Limited trains had often been eight to ten hours late.

Poor on-time performance creates a major disruption for Amtrak customers due to delayed trains and missed connections. It also negatively impacts Amtrak and state-supported services through decreased ridership, lost revenues and higher operating costs.

Amtrak has taken additional actions to help improve the OTP of passenger trains including filing an amended complaint with the STB seeking an investigation of Canadian National Railway for causing unacceptable delays for passengers on the Illini/Saluki service in Illinois; twice testifying before the STB about the poor OTP of Amtrak trains; and establishing a Blue Ribbon Panel of rail and transportation leaders to identify infrastructure and operational improvements to address rail traffic gridlock in Chicago.

The Capitol Limited operates daily between Chicago and Washington, via Harpers Ferry, W. Va., Cumberland, Md., Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend, Ind., and intermediate stops.

STB Filing is attached to the online release.

[CNJRoss]

Amtrak news release, 12/1:

 

AMTRAK ADDS CHICAGOAN TO BLUE RIBBON PANEL TO ADDRESS RAIL GRIDLOCK

Congestion causing major delays for passengers and freight shipments

 

WASHINGTON – Amtrak has added a member with deep local expertise in regional issues to the blue ribbon panel of rail and transportation leaders to identify infrastructure and operational improvements to address the rail traffic gridlock in Chicago. The unprecedented level of rail congestion is causing major delays for Amtrak passengers and freight shipments which are damaging to the U.S. economy.

 

Howard Learner, an attorney who serves as President of the Chicago-based Environmental Law and Policy Center, has joined Chicago Gateway Initiative panel members Jack Quinn, former U.S. Congressman and past chairman of the U.S. House Railroads Subcommittee, Linda Morgan, former chair of the Surface Transportation Board and Tom Carper, Amtrak board member and past chairman.

 

“The rail gridlock in Chicago is causing unacceptable delays for Amtrak passengers while reducing revenues and driving up operating costs for Amtrak,” said Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman. “Howard Learner will bring an important perspective to our work and he will be a collaborative partner in this effort.”

 

The freight railroads which operate in Chicago and other stakeholders will be invited to participate in panel activities and are key to implementing recommended solutions. Because Chicago is the hub of the U.S. rail network, and the key gateway between East and West rail traffic, gridlock in the Chicago area is causing major delays throughout the United States. The congestion problem is caused by a combination of rising demand on the East Coast for more intermodal freight and crude oil shipments which originate west of Chicago, underinvestment in critical rail infrastructure that produces public benefits and short term capital projects that create additional temporary bottlenecks.

 

The panel is charged with identifying and evaluating infrastructure investments and operational actions that will optimize Amtrak on-time performance and improve freight rail service. Its objectives are to minimize disruptions and delays, and accelerate the construction of infrastructure projects. A final report on recommendations is expected by the end of May 2015.

 

Chicago is Amtrak’s most important hub and many of its trains that operate to and from the city are suffering from poor on-time performance, dispatching issues and high levels of freight train interference. For example, delays of four hours or more for Amtrak trains operating between Chicago and Cleveland have become a near daily occurrence. These and other major delays have ripple effects across the Amtrak national system. If Amtrak trains, which have statutory dispatching priority over freight trains, cannot be moved efficiently through the nation’s principal rail hub, then freight shipments will continue to be slowed by gridlock as well.

 

The CREATE program has been a concerted effort by freight railroads, Amtrak and other stakeholders to address rail congestion issues in Chicago and it has achieved several successes. The Chicago Gateway Initiative will build on the CREATE program by re-energizing the conversation, stimulating new discussion about next steps for securing funding to implement CREATE projects, and seeking to improve cooperative efforts among the railroads.

 

“Alleviating Chicago rail congestion will be of great benefit to Amtrak passengers and the fluidity of the national freight transportation network,” said Boardman. “We need solutions and predictable dedicated funding to make the needed infrastructure investments. Let’s get started.”

[CNJRoss]

Chicago Tribune, 10/1:
 

 

Study takes aim at rail gridlock in Chicago

 

More money alone will not solve the rail gridlock that is choking the flow of freight and passenger trains through northern Illinois and Indiana, a report released on Thursday concluded.

 

An array of improved operating strategies as well as some new investment are needed to remove the speed bumps from the busiest rail hub in the U.S., said the report, which was commissioned by Amtrak, whose passengers regularly face major delays traveling through the greater Chicago region.

 

One proposal said that rail dispatchers working for each of the six major freight railroads, as well as separate rail traffic dispatchers at Amtrak and Metra should be located in a unified control center to coordinate trains and improve on-time performance. It's not the first time the idea has been put forth. Most of the track in the U.S. is owned by freight railroads and they generally oppose sharing control.

 

Continue here.

[KevinKorell]

Progressive Railroading, 10/2/15:

 

Amtrak panel recommends solutions to Chicago rail gridlock

 

Amtrak's blue ribbon panel formed a year ago to examine recurring rail gridlock in Chicago issued its final report yesterday, recommending railroad operational improvements and infrastructure projects to alleviate the problem.

Story