Houston, Harvey Disaster Rail Updates

[John_Perkowski]

Union Pacific Update, 30 August
Fair Use, PR Exception

Gulf Region Rail Operations Update

Announcement Number: CN2017-64
Categories: General Announcements
Posted Date: August 30, 2017

To Our Customers,

Tropical Storm Harvey has made landfall in the Beaumont, Texas area with heavy rains and flooding in eastern Texas and western Louisiana. Rail operations along the Gulf Coast from Brownsville, Texas to Lake Charles, Louisiana are currently suspended due to high water and storm damage.

As weather and access to storm-damaged areas allow, we are inspecting and repairing track, bridges and signals to return to service as quickly and safely as possible. We are beginning to inspect most areas in Houston and west of Houston. In areas where we have no road access, we are utilizing helicopters and drones to inspect areas by air. The majority of areas east of Houston are still inaccessible at this time. We expect to be able to begin clean-up at our Englewood and Settegast yards in Houston today or tomorrow in order to return the yards to service.

Routes through San Antonio opened up allowing us to run trains both north and south between San Antonio and Hearne, Texas. All Mexico gateways are open with the exception of Brownsville, Texas.

If you have questions regarding the movement of specific rail equipment, please continue to input Service Issues via our secure customer website MyUPRR.com (User ID and password required). Our Hurricane Hotline is 800-365-6963 and should be used by our customers to report any damage to facilities that would impact our ability to provide service once operations resume. This information should include damage or tracks out of service and estimated facility repair time.

We have issued embargoes on all rail traffic destined to stations on the Gulf Coast and inland that comprise our Houston Service Unit. Active Union Pacific embargoes can be viewed on our embargo page. The embargo is for all rail traffic, including intermodal equipment and automotive shipments. Customers should consider diverting cars away from the impacted area.

Please contact the National Customer Service Center or your Union Pacific representative with any questions.

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[John_Perkowski]

Kansas City Southern declared Force Majeure on the 28th

Fair Use copy of article, PR Exception

Hurricane Harvey update

August 28, 2017

On Friday, August 25, 2017, we communicated that due to Hurricane Harvey, lane closures between Kendleton, TX (Houston) and Laredo, TX, resulted in a Force Majeure being declared for KCSR and KCSM and an embargo for impacted areas on the KCSR network. These remain in effect.

According to the National Weather Service, Harvey dumped over 20 inches of rain on portions of Southeast Texas since Thursday night and the forward motion of the hurricane has now stalled with another 15 – 25 inches of rainfall expected over the next several days. Some locations may receive as much as 50” of rain. Flooding is occurring throughout the region and there has been little opportunity to assess damage to our network at this time. Forecasts have expanded flood warnings to include the eastern Gulf Region including cities such as Port Arthur, Beaumont and Lake Charles.

We continue to monitor the current weather, the forecast and our network and are working closely with our rail partners to have a plan in place for possible detours should they be needed once the rain subsides and assessments can be made. All rail carriers in this region are impacted, and we are all committed to ensuring the delays are minimized through our active working relationships while keeping our customers, employees and communities we serve top of mind.

For those interested in helping out Hurricane Harvey victims, you can make a donation by TEXTING "Harvey" to 90999 to make a $10 donation to the Red Cross. The Kansas City Southern Charitable Fund will support recovery efforts through the American Red Cross and other agencies as their specific needs become more clear.

We appreciate your patience and understanding on the service interruptions and the resultant Force Majeure caused by Hurricane Harvey. We will continue to update you as the status changes.

Should you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact our KCSR or KCSM Customer Solutions teams who will gladly assist you.

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[John_Perkowski]

Amtrak update, 31 August, as of 0745 Eastern
Fair Use, PR Exception

Some Texas Service Restored Following Hurricane Harvey
Texas Eagle to operate full route, Sunset Limited still disrupted

Aug. 31, 2017

6:45 a.m CT

Some temporary track closures following flooding rainfall from Hurricane Harvey have ended, enabling service by the Amtrak Texas Eagle (Trains 21/421 & 22/422) between San Antonio and Fort Worth. Amtrak appreciates the work by Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway, which enables the Texas Eagle to complete its route between San Antonio and Chicago including Austin, Fort Worth, Dallas and Little Rock.

The Amtrak Sunset Limited (Trains 1 & 2) is still unable to operate east of San Antonio due to temporary track closures, terminating and originating in San Antonio rather than New Orleans. No alternate transportation is available between San Antonio and New Orleans. While Amtrak Thruway Buses Routes 6021 & 6022 remain canceled, the Amtrak station in Houston is operating.

Amtrak regrets any inconvenience. This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant.

Anyone can subscribe to automated email or text message notifications if Amtrak trains are behind schedule at specific stations. Notifications can be given for up to six trains and stations by either text or email and delivered when you choose - on a single day, every day, or just certain days of the week. Create a subscription at Amtrak.com/delayalerts.

Passengers with travel plans also can confirm their train's status, change their plans or review refund information using a range of tools – including Amtrak.com, smartphone apps or by calling 800-USA-RAIL. Service Alerts, Passenger Notices and other announcements are posted at Amtrak.com/alerts.

[John_Perkowski]

BNSF, KCS, and UP have not updated since 30 August.

[Amtrak7]

Amtrak reports 21/22/421/422 are resuming normal operations.

[STrRedWolf]

The Amtrak Sunset Limited (Trains 1 & 2) is unable to operate east of San Antonio due to temporary track closures, terminating and originating in San Antonio rather than New Orleans. No alternate transportation is available between San Antonio and New Orleans. Amtrak is working with Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway to restore this service when it is possible to do so.

Amtrak Thruway Bus Service Routes 6021 & 6022 have resumed between Galveston and Longview, Texas, via Houston, enabling connections to and from the rest of the Amtrak National Network using the Amtrak Texas Eagle (Trains 21/421 & 22/422) at Longview.

[mtuandrew]

According to the Union Pacific Map shown above, the route of the Texas Eagle, including San Antonio, and the Sunset Limited between there and El Paso, is not embargoed. Does this mean that Amtrak intends the discontinuance of the portions of these trains to be permanent?

Probably not; it probably means Amtrak didn't want to risk equipment and crews in a tropical storm.

Worth a revisit. I still doubt Amtrak plans to discontinue due to Harvey, but now is a good time for them to examine what would happen were 21-22 the through service and 1-2 a stub SAS-NOL (-ORL.)

[STrRedWolf]

According to the Union Pacific Map shown above, the route of the Texas Eagle, including San Antonio, and the Sunset Limited between there and El Paso, is not embargoed. Does this mean that Amtrak intends the discontinuance of the portions of these trains to be permanent?

Probably not; it probably means Amtrak didn't want to risk equipment and crews in a tropical storm.

Worth a revisit. I still doubt Amtrak plans to discontinue due to Harvey, but now is a good time for them to examine what would happen were 21-22 the through service and 1-2 a stub SAS-NOL (-ORL.)

That gets into pre-Harvey operations and station layout. I'm looking at the schedules and San Antonio station now. It looks like the Texas Eagle splits from the Sunset Limited at San Antonio or passengers have to transfer between a Sunset Limited to the Texas Eagle... when the station only really has one platform.

Anyone been on those trains?

[east point]

Actually SAS has 2 platforms but passengers have to walk around end of Sunset to access Eagle platform ( usually ). Note last time there platform conditions would make NYP platforms pristine.

Just occurred to this poster. If Eagle becomes prime train the it will have to back in to station when arriving from east or back out before going east. That is unless it uses the slower MKT ( track 2 ) route to Landas one way . That route is sometime used if locos) need refueling at UP's east yard.

[jhdeasy]

Privately owned office car Texas & Pacific 1 is stored on high ground at the BNSF yard in Houston. The owner advises the flood waters never reached his car, which is certainly good news. If the roller bearings had been submerged in water, he would have incurred a considerable expense to replace them or to have them inspected and recertified by an AAR certified wheel shop.

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I read a note that there was about 10 inches of water (fresh rainwater, not salty seawater) in the yard of the Galveston Railroad Museum, but their buildings were dry. Although a cleanup will be required, it sounds like they escaped damage.

[Rockingham Racer]

Good news on both fronts. Thanks!

[east point]

RRs in the Southeast may have trouble getting diesel from usual pipeline sources as Colonial pipeline is shutdown because of no product coming to the pipeline in Texas and LA..

[STrRedWolf]

Houston METRO Rail (light rail) service almost recovered. Red line full service; Purple and Green service limited from farthest points to Erdo/Stadium stop. Maybe the arena needs to be dewatered.

[John_Perkowski]

Current UP Embargoes

Current UP update

Last BNSF update 31 August

Map from same update

KCS update 4 September

[John_Perkowski]

Amtrak posted an embargo for the Sunset Limited east of San Antonio as of 1 September:

Fair Use, PR exception

Temporary Service Suspension between Texas and Louisiana
Sunset Limited unable to operate between San Antonio and New Orleans

Sept. 1, 2017

11:45 a.m CT

The Amtrak Sunset Limited (Trains 1 & 2) is unable to operate east of San Antonio due to temporary track closures, terminating and originating in San Antonio rather than New Orleans. No alternate transportation is available between San Antonio and New Orleans. Amtrak is working with Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway to restore this service when it is possible to do so.

Amtrak Thruway Bus Service Routes 6021 & 6022 have resumed between Galveston and Longview, Texas, via Houston, enabling connections to and from the rest of the Amtrak National Network using the Amtrak Texas Eagle (Trains 21/421 & 22/422) at Longview.

Amtrak regrets any inconvenience. This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant.

Anyone can subscribe to automated email or text message notifications if Amtrak trains are behind schedule at specific stations. Notifications can be given for up to six trains and stations by either text or email and delivered when you choose - on a single day, every day, or just certain days of the week. Create a subscription at Amtrak.com/delayalerts.

Passengers with travel plans also can confirm their train's status, change their plans or review refund information using a range of tools – including Amtrak.com, smartphone apps or by calling 800-USA-RAIL. Service Alerts, Passenger Notices and other announcements are posted at Amtrak.com/alerts.