MetraBNSF wrote:Based on media reports and anecdotal evidence, it appears the first day of BNSF service under the revised schedule did not go well. Particularly the morning rush hour where many trains seemed to be short a car and passengers were literally packed in like sardines. I don't really get to see the morning rush, but I was able to observe the afternoon rush in bits and pieces from CUS and in the west suburbs. These are some of my observations. It is important to note that what happens on the first day will not necessarily be what is expected moving forward and much can still be tweaked.
First, cab car 8518 which is normally assigned to the Milwaukee District is on BNSF and is operating as a control car. It is also a rehabbed car. This may explain why 8608 is on the Milwaukee.
At CUS, there are definitely track assignment changes. I was able to take a look at the monitors for trains leaving CUS between 4:25 and 5:15 and there are notable changes.
1249, a local train to Fairview Ave departed from track 2.
1251, the new Naperville/Route 59/Aurora express retains its track 12 assignment.
1253, the new Downers Grove/Belmont/Lisle express boarded from track 6.
1257, a reassigned Lisle/Naperville/Aurora express boarded from track 12.
1259, a reassigned Downers Grove/Belmont/Route 59 express boarded from track 2.
Observed consists:
1249 8 cars. Upon termination at Fairview, this train deadheads back to CUS and becomes train 1283, a reassigned Lisle/Naperville/Aurora express.
1251 Did not see this particular consist, but assuming it remains a 10 car consist.
1253 8 cars. Upon termination at Lisle, this train deadheads back to CUS and becomes train 1373, a reassigned Downers Grove/Belmont/Route 59 express.
1255 7 cars.
1257 9 cars.
1259 11 cars. This train still appeared to be very crowded with Route 59 passengers even after DG and Lisle passengers got off.
1267 11 cars.
1269 9 cars. Although the stopping pattern of this train changed (Downers Grove/Belmont/Route 59), it retained the same number of cars. This train also still appeared to be very crowded with Route 59 passengers even after DG and Lisle passengers got off.
1277 10 cars. No change in consist and stops.
1279 7 cars. No change in consist and stops.
Next goal is to see the CUS track assignments from 5:15-7:03 PM.
Continuing from my post on Monday:
1267 and 1269 actually swapped sets on Tuesday.
1267 (Lisle/Naperville/Aurora express) used a 9 car set. Boards from track 12.
1269 (DG/Belmont/59 express) used a 11 car set. Boards from track 2.
1271 (Hinsdale express) is actually now a 6 car train. It used to be 7 cars.
Other observations:
1247 and 1251 swapped sets. 1247 is now 10 cars, up from 9. 1251 is 9 cars, down from 10.
1253, when it used to be a local train was 6 cars. Since it has become a DG express that makes two runs, it is now 8 cars, as mentioned back on Monday. So, 2 cars definitely came from somewhere for this set.
1255 is now a 7 car train. It used to be 8 cars. This run also used to be a La Grange express that terminated at Fairview, deadheaded back east, then became train 1373.
1277 (unchanged Naperville/59 express) remains the final set out of 14th St and also runs with two locomotives.
1279 (unchanged DG/Belmont/Lisle/Aurora express). This train goes out as train 1245 at 4:02 PM, flips at Fairview and now becomes train 1278, which makes a stop at La Grange at 5:19 PM. From there, it arrives at CUS at 5:38 PM and has 12 minutes to flip for its run back out.
Can't remember the exact number, but there are 18 or 19 sets used.
4 - 6 car sets
5- 7 car sets
2 - 8 car sets
3 - 9 car sets
2- 10 car sets (at least one, possibly both sets have control cars 6-7 cars back)
3 - 11 car sets (2 of these sets have control cars 6-7 cars back)