6 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

VRE Alert, 2/11:

Winter Storm Watch for VRE Service Area

There is a Winter Storm Watch in effect from Wednesday evening through Thursday evening. Any changes to service as a result of the weather will be communicated through Train Talk emails, Facebook, Twitter, and our website ASAP.

Although it has already been an active season so far, we want to take this time to remind our riders to be safe on their commute and be prepared. Our crews will be watching the weather and treating the platforms and parking lots as needed.

Some tips to keep in mind:

1) Allow yourself extra time to reach your station.

2) Drive slowly and cautiously on the roads and in parking lots.

3) Wear sensible shoes and exercise caution walking to and from the station.

4) Use the handrails for all stairs both on the train and on the platform.

[CNJRoss]

VRE Service Alert, 2/12, 6:25 am:

Winter Storm Watch for VRE Service Area

There is a Winter Storm Watch in effect from Wednesday evening through Thursday evening. As of right now, we plan to run full service on Thursday. We will continually monitor the weather with our host railroads and the National Weather Service (NWS) to make a decision about tomorrow's service. Our options at this time is to run full service, "S" schedule or no service at all. A final decision will be made by 4am Thursday morning. We will communicate through Train Talk emails, Facebook, Twitter, and our website ASAP.

Although it has already been an active season so far, we want to take this time to remind our riders to be safe on their commute and be prepared. Our crews will be watching the weather and treating the platforms and parking lots as needed.

Some tips to keep in mind:

1) Allow yourself extra time to reach your station.

2) Drive slowly and cautiously on the roads and in parking lots.

3) Wear sensible shoes and exercise caution walking to and from the station.

4) Use the handrails for all stairs both on the train and on the platform.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Presidents' Day

This is a reminder: In observance of Washington's Birthday (aka Presidents' Day), VRE is not operating service next Monday, February 17, 2014. Regular service will resume on Tuesday, February 18.

[CNJRoss]

VRE Safety Advisory, 2/12 3:15pm:

Ready or not...

Here it comes. Forecasters and arthritic joints across the region are anticipating a significant winter storm to hit within the next twenty-four hours. Snow and ice accumulation will likely lead to a number of problems such as icy or impassable roads, power outages and never-ending games of Scrabble.

Take a moment to consider the following tips on how to handle this major winter storm:

Take it easy when shoveling. Don't jump out of bed and challenge yourself by attempting to clear your walks as quickly as possible. The risk of heart attacks is huge when shoveling large amounts of snow so take it easy and pace yourself.

Watch your step to avoid ice or rolled ankles

If you lose power, don't use gas grills or generators indoors. Carbon monoxide can fill a room and suffocate you quicker than you may think.

Keep bottled water handy

Stay off the roads. If you have to work, give salt and plow trucks a wide berth and let them do their thing. If you expect that you'll be on the road, carry some blankets, extra coats and some clumping cat litter with you.

The cat litter can be poured under your tires in the event you get stuck in a patch of snow or ice and spin out.
Avoid fallen power lines like the plague.

Take an early opportunity to clean off the top of your car. Do this before it becomes a large cake of ice that will blow off onto vehicles behind you later on this weekend.

Keep a well stocked first aid kit with bandages, gauze and anti-bacterial salve.

Relax. It's not the end of the world and keep focused on the fact that records indicate that the daily average temperature for one month from now are in the mid 50s.

We will notify you by TrainTalk and local media as soon as we can regarding VRE train operations for Thursday. Thank you for riding VRE and stay safe!

[CNJRoss]

VRE Service Alert, 2/12 4:30pm:

Winter Storm Watch for VRE Service Area

There is a Winter Storm Watch in effect from Wednesday evening through Thursday evening. As of right now, we plan to run full service on Thursday. We will continually monitor the weather with our host railroads and the National Weather Service (NWS) to make a decision about tomorrow's service. Our options at this time is to run full service, "S" schedule or no service at all. A final decision will be made by 4am Thursday morning. We will communicate through Train Talk emails, Facebook, Twitter, and our website ASAP.

Although it has already been an active season so far, we want to take this time to remind our riders to be safe on their commute and be prepared. Our crews will be watching the weather and treating the platforms and parking lots as needed.

Some tips to keep in mind:

1) Allow yourself extra time to reach your station.

2) Drive slowly and cautiously on the roads and in parking lots.

3) Wear sensible shoes and exercise caution walking to and from the station.

4) Use the handrails for all stairs both on the train and on the platform.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Presidents' Day

This is a reminder: In observance of Washington's Birthday (aka Presidents' Day), VRE is not operating service next Monday, February 17, 2014. Regular service will resume on Tuesday, February 18.

[CNJRoss]

VRE Train Talk Alert, 2/12 10:20 pm:

VRE Service Cancelled for Thursday, February 13
.
Due to the winter storm currently passing through the area, VRE will not operate any train service tomorrow Thursday, February 13 and our offices will be closed.

We will continue to monitor the storm and make a decision about service for Friday, February 14, by Thursday afternoon. Please stay tuned to Train Talk, Twitter, Facebook, and our website about any service changes.

-----------------------------------------
VRE announced the service cancellation very shortly after OPM announced a Federal Government closure in the Washington, DC area for tomorrow. -Ross

[CNJRoss]

VRE Train Talk, 10:00 pm 2/13:

"S" Schedule Friday, February 14

As of right now, VRE plans to operate an "S" Schedule on Friday, February 14th. We will continue to monitor the tracks, stations, and platforms through the night with our host railroads and confirm that decision Friday morning at 4am. If there are conditions on the tracks where our trains cannot operate safely, we will cancel service. Again, the final decision will be made at 4am.

As always, we appreciate your patience.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This was issued very shortly after the government announced a 2-hour delay for employees. -Ross

[CNJRoss]

VRE Train Talk, 3:45 am, 2/14:

"S" Schedule Friday, February 14

This is a confirmation that we are operating an "S" Schedule today, February 14th. Only trains with an "S" above its train number in the schedule will operate.

As always, thanks for riding VRE.