6 replies to this topic

[NickG]

From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9/20/05:

A Fort Worth-Dallas commuter rail line on Tuesday sent an emergency train on a special mission to the Houston-Galveston area to help evacuate senior citizens and other residents trying to flee from Hurricane Rita.

The full story is here.

[EvergreenRailfan]

So TRE can send an evacuation train but Amtrak cannot? I hate to sound like I am thinking that Amtrak is capitolizing on an impending tragedy, but they need to be able to show there worth. They are needed now more than ever, and are nowhere to be found in Texas. Run the Texas Eagle in two sections with whatever equipment is available.

[AlanB]

Amtrak actually has sent some extra equipment into the area according to reports from a few locals, who've seen some single level equipment on the bottom of the Eagle. It appears however that the equipment won't be used.

[EvergreenRailfan]

It appears however that the equipment won't be used.

What a waste!

I would like to see Amtrak be able to show off their ability to do things in an emergency. I believe they are needed now more than ever with Greyhound cutting stops, Airlines going bankrupt, and gas prices going sky-high. I have been in a running argument with a person on a local board up here about Amtrak. I have not mentioned that now 2 times in a row, Amtrak might have been in a position to help, and they were not allowed to.

I thank TRE for being able to help out with this evacuation. On the news there is footage of 100 mile long traffic jams, and stories on the radio I heard this morning that cars were running out of gas in these traffic jams.

[AlanB]

I have not mentioned that now 2 times in a row, Amtrak might have been in a position to help, and they were not allowed to.

Actually Amtrak did help out slightly in New Orleans. However it would appear that thanks to poor coordination from FEMA, a train capable of carrying 800 or more people, instead carried only about 90.

However, none of those 90 complained about the service they got from Amtrak and all were quite thankful that they did get out of NOL on that one train.

[BillMagee]

From BNSF, 9/22/05:

A special Trinity Railway Express (TRE) passenger train with about 450 evacuees from the Houston area is operating over BNSF Railway trackage from Houston via Teague to Dallas Union Station.

The train, consisting of two TRE locomotives and six passenger cars, is being operated by a TRE crew provided by Herzog Transit Services Inc. The train left Houston at about 3 p.m. today. It is expected to stop at about 8 p.m. at 208 S. Third Street in Teague, where passengers will be provided with meals and water.

The train will then continue to Dallas Union Station, 401 S. Houston St., where it is expected to arrive about midnight. Amtrak will keep Union Station open until the train arrives and will provide personnel to direct passengers upon their arrival.

The BNSF Press Release is HERE.

There are also internet discussion reports of an Amtrak evacuation train carrying about 150 from Houston to San Antonio, but I have not found any confirmation of that.

Edited by BillMagee, 23 September 2005 - 09:11 PM.

[AmtrakFan]

Amtrak DID help out a Train hauled 160 Passengers they were forced out by UP. Source Gene Poon