Houston, Harvey Disaster Rail Updates

Reviving an old thread due to Harvey hitting Texas, and I'm seeing a possible reroute depending on if Amtrak will put a second engine at the other end of the train:

From El Paso, TX, follow ether UP or BNSF track up the Upper Valley to Albuquerque. Then follow to Southwest Chief's route to Chicago. (edit: had thought you had to switch again to a different line, the City of New Orleans line)

Short of logistics, think it would work?

Reviving a way-old thread to chat about rerouting the Sunset Limited between El Paso, TX and New Orleans... and I may have a path with three(!) hits of rare mileage. Note, you'll have to double-end the train!

From El Paso, TX take the Upper Valley (UP? BNSF?) tracks up to Albuquerque, and follow the Southwest Chief's route to Kansas City, Mi. Then take some more trackage through the heart of Missouri to St. Louis. From there, navigate through the Gateway Yard to Du Quoin, IL, where you can follow the City of New Orleans route down to New Orleans.

Any opinions?

Right now,

Texas Eagle Embargoed at Fort Worth
Sunset Embargoed at El Paso
UP reports Houston Is embargoed system wide
BNSF reports Pearland is flooded

Please post R updates in this thread.

STrRedWolf wrote:Reviving an old thread due to Harvey hitting Texas, and I'm seeing a possible reroute depending on if Amtrak will put a second engine at the other end of the train:

From El Paso, TX, follow ether UP or BNSF track up the Upper Valley to Albuquerque. Then follow to Southwest Chief's route to Chicago. (edit: had thought you had to switch again to a different line, the City of New Orleans line)

Short of logistics, think it would work?

Amtrak is turning the Texas Eagle in Ft. Worth, and turning the Sunset Limited in El Paso. Why reroute?
I don't know when these Amtrak trains will return to San Antonio and Houston.

Way back years ago,the Sunset detoured up the El Paso sub to Belen,then west to La on the Transconn.
This was back when ATSF and SP still lived.
With the DFW metroplex still in the range of Harvey's remains,Amtrak was wise enough to short turn the Eagles at Ft Worth,
and the Sunset at El Paso.
Redwolf your detour requires a few days too much to pull off.
Possible option,if UP plays nice; BNSF,El Paso-Belen-Clovis-Texico NM-Lubbock-SweetwaterTx,UP to Ft Worth,TRE to Dallas, UP to Longview Tx-
Texarkana Ar- Memphls Tn(ex RI main) to CoNO routing to NOL(at least a day and a half longer,granted)

Figure on Harvey's remains pumping rain in SE Texas for at least 5 more days maybe a week to 10 days untill UP allows passenger traffic
to return.

Believe it or not, Amtrak is showing NO service advisories for the Sunset or the Eagle.

Amtrak update 28 August 1730 Central.

Fair use, PR exception:

Hurricane Harvey Disrupts Amtrak Service to and from Texas and Lousiana
Sunset Limited, Texas Eagle and most related Amtrak Thruway Buses

Aug. 28, 2017

5:30 p.m CT

Flooding rainfall from Hurricane Harvey and resulting temporary track closures in Texas have led Amtrak to extend a service disruption on the routes of the Sunset Limited (Trains 1 & 2) and the Texas Eagle (Trains 21/421 & 22/422).

• Sunset Limited (Train 1/421 & 2/422) will originate and terminate in San Antonio instead of New Orleans, with no alternate transportation between New Orleans and San Antonio.
• Texas Eagle (Train 21/421 & 22/422) will originate and terminate in Fort Worth instead of San Antonio, with alternate transportation provided between Fort Worth and San Antonio.

Amtrak Thruway Buses in central and southern Texas (Routes 6021 & 6022, 8721 & 8722, and 8821 & 8822) are canceled and the Amtrak station in Houston remains closed.

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.

BNSF, 28 August: FULL EMBARGO ORIGINATING/TERMINATING HOUSTON
Again, article in full, Fair Use, PR exception:

To: All BNSF Customers
08/28/2017

UPDATE: Tropical Storm Harvey Impacting BNSF Operations in Southeastern Texas

Widespread flooding in the greater Houston area caused by Tropical Storm Harvey is causing major disruptions to BNSF service and operations in the region. Some locations have received nearly 40 inches of rain and several more inches are expected during the next 48 hours.

With multiple washouts and high water reported on BNSF main lines in the area, all traffic destined to/originating from Houston has been suspended. Other area rail lines, including those with BNSF trackage rights, have also been forced out of service.

All operations at BNSF Houston-area railyards and facilities, including our Pearland Intermodal and Automotive facilities, are currently suspended. Portions of major interstate highways in the Houston area remain closed and officials continue to urge residents to stay off local roadways. Our 24/7 Command Center remains in frequent communication with local, state and federal emergency personnel to evaluate conditions and determine when operations can safely resume.

BNSF Harvey Command Center

Our crews are planning to conduct an aerial assessment today, weather permitting, to determine the current extent of damage and flooding impacts to our main lines. With additional flooding likely during the next few days, normal train flows in the area may not resume for an extended period. Customers should expect continued delays on shipments scheduled to move through the area.

If you have questions about your shipment(s), please contact BNSF Customer Support at 1-888-428-2673 option 4, option 3.

We will continue to provide customers with further updates.

UP suspends service, 28 August
Full quote, Fair use, PR Exception

Tropical Storm Harvey Still Affecting Rail Operations in the Gulf Coast

Announcement Number: CN2017-62
Categories: General Announcements
Posted Date: August 28, 2017

To Our Customers,

Tropical Storm Harvey continues to cause widespread flooding in the Houston area. Rail operations along the Gulf Coast from Brownsville, Texas to Lake Charles, Louisiana are currently suspended due to high water and storm damage.

Original | TS Harvey Map

The storm is predicted to continue for several more days, generating record rainfall amounts. It is forecast to move northeast, impacting additional areas in Louisiana as well. As a result, Union Pacific is taking the following actions:

We have issued embargoes on all rail traffic destined to stations on the Gulf Coast and inland that comprise our Houston Service Unit. Customers should consider diverting cars destined to the impacted area where feasible.
At this time, we have stopped the flow of traffic through the flooded and storm-damaged areas. Where accessible, we continue to inspect our tracks in anticipation of resuming operations.

While we are doing all we can to mitigate the effects of the storm, the safety of our employees is our primary focus. We will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates as they are available.

If you have questions or concerns regarding the movement of specific cars, please continue to input Service Issues via our customer website. 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.

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

Photos and maps courtesy Union Pacific Railroad.

Were the railroads able to protect their equipment/cargo before the storm?

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?

JimBoylan wrote: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.

In addition to the above, I suspect every siding and spur UP and BNSF own down there are already full. There's not the room to run Amtrak.

29 August BNSF Update
Fair Use, PR Exception

To: All BNSF Customers
08/29/2017

UPDATE: Tropical Storm Harvey Impacting BNSF Operations in Southeastern Texas

Widespread flooding in the Houston area and other parts of southeastern Texas continues to cause major disruptions to rail service and BNSF operations in the region. Another eight to 12 inches of rain fell during the past 24 hours and several area reservoirs are at maximum water levels.

Several BNSF subdivisions remain out of service due to multiple washouts and high water reported. All traffic destined to/originating from Houston, as well as traffic scheduled to route through Houston, remains suspended. Other area rail lines, including those with BNSF trackage rights, have also been forced out of service.

All operations at BNSF Houston-area railyards and facilities, including our Pearland Intermodal and Automotive facilities, are also suspended as road closures continue to limit access to these locations. There is currently no estimate on when these facilities may reopen.

Given the size and scope of this historic flooding, normal train flows in the area are not likely to resume for an extended period. Customers should expect continued delays on shipments scheduled to move through the area.

BNSF crews will be conducting inspections and begin