Amtrak may pull plug on Southwest Chief, River Runner

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Amtrak may pull plug on Southwest Chief, River Runner

Rail News: Amtrak
June 12, 2015

Amtrak might have to end or reroute passenger-rail service on the Southwest Chief and River Runner lines by year's end because of costs to install positive train control (PTC) technology, an Amtrak executive told a Senate committee earlier this week.

Amtrak Vice President of Operations DJ Stadler testified Wednesday before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, which held a hearing on passenger-rail safety. Stadler gave a report on Amtrak's efforts to implement PTC on its network.

In his written testimony, Stadler said that in Missouri, Amtrak's Southwest Chief route runs on track owned by two host railroads, the Kansas City Terminal (KCT) and the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis. As Class III railroads, they are exempt from the federal PTC requirement unless the track is used by passenger trains.

"Because they're considered Class III, the PTC requirement is triggered by the operation of passenger trains," Stadler said. "These hosts have maintained that because Amtrak's trains trigger the PTC requirement, Amtrak is responsible for the cost of PTC installation, which amounts in the case of KCT to $30 million."

[Siwsan]

1. That's the route I loved taking to Los Angeles

I loved the Southwest Chief route to California. When the train stopped at Albuquerque there was about a long enough stop over that you could go down to the platform where a number of traders had booths open. I picked up some really nice pieces of turquoise jewelry. And, back in the day, between Albuquerque and Gallup they would have a member of the Navajo Nation on board as a guide, telling about the history of the area. This is just very sad news to hear.

[KamaAina]

2. Would rerouting involve moving the stations?

Even so, that's the way to go. Too much of the country would be cut off otherwsie.

[Dem_in_Nebr.]

3. Rerouitng Is for a new route

Probably down through Oklahoma on another BNSF route to go West from Dallas / Fort Worth or Amarillo. Service would still be lost through Western KS, Southern CO and Northern NM.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

4. I had to look it up.

The Southwest Chief would be trains numbered "3" and "4" on this map:

Amtrak Status Maps - West

As I post, the latest update is 12:23 p.m. EDT, and a westbound Southwest Chief is just about to cross from Colorado into New Mexico. If you click on that train's symbol, you can see its history. It left Chicago yesterday on time, and it left Trinidad, Colorado, 17 minutes late.

For Amtrak enthusiasts, this is one of the greatest Interwebz sites ever.

[KamaAina]

5. I meant rerouting within St. Louis and KC

which seem to be the trouble spots.