www.omaha.com wrote:DENVER (AP) — Amtrak is suspending service between Chicago and Denver because of blowing and drifting snow in Nebraska.
The one train that runs between Chicago and Denver won't operate today. Passengers on the train that runs from the San Francisco area through Denver will have to spend the night in Denver because of the suspension of service.
Amtrak spokesman Marc Mag-liari said that the snowdrifts in Nebraska are up to two stories high and that some of the tracks are built below ground level, making it difficult to keep them clear of snow.
Magliari said it's possible that the passengers stuck in Denver could spend the night on the train. He said the train usually travels overnight and has sleeper cars and dining service.
So does that mean that there's no freight traffic going across Nebraska too? or is it simply considered more of a safety concern for passenger traffic?
Shoot for the Moon... if you miss, you'll land among the stars.
Stargazer wrote:So does that mean that there's no freight traffic going across Nebraska too? or is it simply considered more of a safety concern for passenger traffic?
BNSF has a Rotary plow coming in from Alliance, NE. If you see it, it is really cool. They also have a Jordan Spreader working in the area to clear snow. The railroads are having a lot of equipment problems too.
I just heard on the national news that the last Zephyr train to arrive in Chicago before service was suspended was NINETEEN (19) hours late! Yikes.
"The right to have access to every building in the city by private motorcar in an age when everyone possesses such a vehicle is actually the right to destroy the city."
Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City, 1963
Well, the train will be back, but Amtrak service has continued during the California Zephyr re-route via connecting buses from Lincoln and Creston. I know; I rode it then (and yes, it was a disaster).
On a related subject, Cleaveland said a feasibility study on passenger train service between Des Moines and Omaha is in the early stages. This would be an extension of service between Des Moines and Chicago, he added. Plans call for the proposed train to use tracks near Interstate 80 and arrive in Council Bluffs at the RailsWest Museum.
IDK about passenger rail between Des Moines and Council Bluffs but the Zephyr will be providing service between Chicago and Omaha on the Union Pacific line over the Kate Shelley bridge Saturday Dec 3 2011 while BNSF does some bridge work.
mrdwhsr wrote:IDK about passenger rail between Des Moines and Council Bluffs but the Zephyr will be providing service between Chicago and Omaha on the Union Pacific line over the Kate Shelley bridge Saturday Dec 3 2011 while BNSF does some bridge work.
Its been doing that a lot lately. I would say at least one a month for the past several months.
