Silver Star Delays Options

[dejr_8]

I'm taking the Silver Star to Florida in August and have been checking the Arrival Update page at Amtrak.com to see what the average on-time (or near-time) arrival is for Orlando.

However, there is a message that due to track conditions/traffic or such there is no estimated arrival time for Orlando. I've been checking everyday for a week and get the same message.

I've checked the internet to see if this is a short term issue or will it still be a problem in August.

Could someone please shed some light on what may be happening...

thanks in advance

[KevinKorell]

There have been tremendous rain storms for the past week or so, which may be affecting service between Florida and the Northeast. Normally Orlando is a major stop on the Silver Service trains.

[dejr_8]

There have been tremendous rain storms for the past week or so, which may be affecting service between Florida and the Northeast. Normally Orlando is a major stop on the Silver Service trains.

It is very interesting... If I check the train status for arrival in Raleigh NC I get a normal response. If I check for any stations in FL (Jac, Orl, Kis) I get the odd message.

Is there track construction/repair south of Raleigh that could be causing congestion?



joe

[AmtrakFan]

I know 92/97 were canceled due to Flooding, also 92 had some Engines Problems a few days back.

[NickG]

Here is the current status from Amtrak's website. It appears that service to Florida is running again.

Full service restored in Northeast, South, and Harrisburg; service suspended in northern New York

Amtrak is operating full schedules on most routes in the East today, but flooding conditions in Northern New York State have required train cancellations west of Albany.

All Empire Service train service west of Albany, (Utica, Syracuse, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Toronto and other stops) is canceled today. Because of road closures and limited availability of charter buses, no alternate transportation west of Albany is being provided. Limited train service between New York City and Albany will operate today.

The daily New York City-Chicago Lake Shore Limited will operate today between Syracuse, N.Y. and Chicago only.

[d.o.n.]

dejr
We depart for St Louis tomorrow, 4 Jul, and will be on the Star the 11th from WAS to MIA. Will let the board know how it was when we get back.
d.o.n.

[d.o.n.]

The STAR on 11/12 July.

It arrived in WAS on time and left on time. Was held up by the Auto Train (AT) for about 5 min but did not expect it to be much of a factor as it has no Passenger Stops. Wishful thinking as it turned out.

There IS major and minor track work from Richmond to Jacksonville. CSX has the line from Savanna to Jacksonville in as good as I've seen it. BUT only one track open in spots.

We caught up with the AT shortly after Richmond and followed it to Selma, with the on-time minutes falling fast. About 2 hrs late to Selma. We turned to the right and I made another dumb remark to Glenna. "It will be long gone by the time we get to Savanna."

Got to Savanna and made a short station stop and on our way at max auth speed. Smooth track. About 10 min of this and we slowed and then stop and go. Then I hear on the transceiver, "Amtrak 53 to amtrak 91, you can pull up behind me and be ready to go when we move." The AT had gone by while we were at the station. So we followed them to Jacksonville. While we were late they were really late. We both were making good time after we crossed the line to FL.

We had a long stop at Jacksonville as we were refuelled. AT was long gone and should cause no more delays. Get almost to Palatka and hear the dispatcher, Sanford and 53 on the air talking about the crew "going on the law at 1158." We caught up with 53 and had to wait for a crew change.

They pulled in to the Auto Train station and the track was clear ahead. So we waited. And waited. We are to deliver a loco to Miami. Coupled, electrical cables connected, air lines connected and loco brake test, our loco brake test and train brake test. Now we depart in the rain. Make four stops at Winter Park so the passengers don't have far to walk. Same at Orlando.

Since Orlando was your destination I'll stop there.
IMHO a great trip and the only great portion of a round trip MIA to St Louis.

d.o.n.