Why is the California Zephyr Always Running Late?

[mrbbq]

I check the Amtrack status maps regularly, and it never ceases to amaze me that the Calif. Zephyr is running 1-3 hours late. Anyone have any insight as to why this is such a regular occurance?

 

[SamReeves]

Omahahahahahaha!

 

[TPWRY]

I check the Amtrack status maps regularly, and it never ceases to amaze me that the Calif. Zephyr is running 1-3 hours late. Anyone have any insight as to why this is such a regular occurance?

1-3 hours late is practically early for the eb CZ (#6)! I have even seen #6 23 hours late before through Galesburg, IL!! I barely ever see it on time.

 

[mrbbq]

Sam, your reply cracked me up! Thanks also for your reply Brandon. So you're saying that UP is holding up Amtrak for freight traffic? I thought passenger trains had priority on the tracks.????

 

[crazyace777]

Sam, your reply cracked me up! Thanks also for your reply Brandon. So you're saying that UP is holding up Amtrak for freight traffic? I thought passenger trains had priority on the tracks.????

UP doesnt give a crap about Amtrak, and has been fined numerous times because of this. In all the Amtrak that run on UP rails (Sunset Limited, Texas Eagle, Coast Starlight, Ann Rutledge, Missouri River Runner, and others I cant think of) were constantly late (greater than 5 hrs) due to UP deciding freight traffic was better.

 

[muralist0221]

Rode the California Zephy from Osceola, Iowa to Emeryville in 2000. People asked me how long it took. I said "It wasn't long enough!" Great scenery! It was better in 1961 when you had the old dome cars.

 

[ES44AC]

Maintenance In The Way!

 

[SamReeves]

Maintenance In The Way!

LMAO!

But yes, #5 is always arriving late in Truckee.

I think the biggest UP-Amtrak insult came a few years ago on the Coast Line. UP stopped an auto train on the main short of the siding in King City, and died on the hours of service. The Coast Starlight pulled up behind the auto train. The Starlate waited seven hours for a rested crew from San Luis Obispo to move the train into the siding. So there you go, trains in the way too! Omahahahaha!

 

[cnw8717]

When I rode the Zephyr back in June of this year. Almost all of the delays were given to use by BNSF. We racked up 5 hours worth of delays near Omaha waiting for a fleet of eastbound coal loads. The only real delay the UP gave us was not there fault. It was some semi that slammed into our train at a level grade crossing.