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Re: The apparent awkward Amtrak California Zephyr Detour
Author: Shortline Sammie
Date: 03-17-2007 - 08:49
Union Pacific is in the freight business and tolerates Amtrak so that they don't have to run passenger trains themselves. This fire is a 30-million dollar hit for the UP and will cost many millions more in the way of reroutes, overtime and fuel costs.
Look for a huge show by UP bigger than the San Francisco earthquake or anything else in recent history to get the route back in service which my contacts at UP say could be as soon as APRIL 1 for one track and the other a month later. This is a feat only the UP (and maybe the US government) could pull off in a TWO WEEK timeframe. It will be interesting to see how UP takes all the "armchair quarterbacks" advice on how to get the railroad bac up and running.
The whole west coast/I-5 corridor economy will be affected for some time including intermodal, freight and yes, Amtrak. Pity the poor Amtrak riders who are inconvenienced and have to ride a bus. Maybe they will appreciate Amtrak more!!
Shortline Sammie
Look for a huge show by UP bigger than the San Francisco earthquake or anything else in recent history to get the route back in service which my contacts at UP say could be as soon as APRIL 1 for one track and the other a month later. This is a feat only the UP (and maybe the US government) could pull off in a TWO WEEK timeframe. It will be interesting to see how UP takes all the "armchair quarterbacks" advice on how to get the railroad bac up and running.
The whole west coast/I-5 corridor economy will be affected for some time including intermodal, freight and yes, Amtrak. Pity the poor Amtrak riders who are inconvenienced and have to ride a bus. Maybe they will appreciate Amtrak more!!
Shortline Sammie
