Missouri Amtrak Service

Transportation topics in KC
User avatar
normalthings
Mark Twain Tower
Mark Twain Tower
Posts: 8018
Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:52 pm

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by normalthings »

I talked to an Amtrak Engineer who said they all hate the new engine. He also said that they can only sell 2 cars worth of tickets yet have to carry a couple extra cars bc Union Pacific rules.
shinatoo
Ambassador
Posts: 7386
Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2005 3:20 pm

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by shinatoo »

Those look great!

I don't think they are every going to get the two level trains certified with the new safety regulations.
User avatar
normalthings
Mark Twain Tower
Mark Twain Tower
Posts: 8018
Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:52 pm

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by normalthings »

ldai_phs wrote:I talked to an Amtrak Engineer who said they all hate the new engine. He also said that they can only sell 2 cars worth of tickets yet have to carry a couple extra cars bc Union Pacific rules.
Brakes and Power can not be used at the same time (unlike P42) and the engineers are concerned that they are not nearly as safe as the P42
User avatar
DaveKCMO
Ambassador
Posts: 20024
Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2005 6:22 pm
Location: Crossroads
Contact:

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by DaveKCMO »

http://blog.amtrak.com/2017/08/amfleet-refresh/
Beginning this month, Amtrak coach cars will begin to undergo a series of major improvements including:
- Brand-new seat cushions
- New carpeting
- New LED reading lights
- New bathroom flooring
- Upgraded wainscoting and bulkhead
- New curtains in Business Class cars
- Redesigned galleys in the café cars
Expect to see the new interiors roll out on the following services: Northeast Regional (including trains to Springfield), Vermonter, Downeaster, Empire Service, Maple Leaf, Adirondack, Ethan Allen Express, Keystone, Springfield Shuttles, Pennsylvanian and Carolinian. In the Midwest, customers will see upgrades on the Illinois Service, Hiawatha, Missouri River Runner and Michigan Services.
Image
User avatar
DaveKCMO
Ambassador
Posts: 20024
Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2005 6:22 pm
Location: Crossroads
Contact:

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by DaveKCMO »

FINALLY! http://www.centralvalleybusinesstimes.c ... /?ID=33602

in addition to the above-mentioned interior refresh for existing midwest coaches, the brand new ones have been saved from a disastrous deal and will now be built (as single-level) by siemens in california. the 88 for illinois will be shared with midwest states.

this deal had to happen because the coaches (and locomotives, in a separate order) were funded by the recovery act. the funding was due to expire this year.
User avatar
DaveKCMO
Ambassador
Posts: 20024
Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2005 6:22 pm
Location: Crossroads
Contact:

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by DaveKCMO »

you should start seeing these in service on the river runner now:

Image
User avatar
DaveKCMO
Ambassador
Posts: 20024
Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2005 6:22 pm
Location: Crossroads
Contact:

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by DaveKCMO »

at least greitens won't cut amtrak service: http://www.kfvs12.com/story/37315107/go ... mendations
User avatar
DaveKCMO
Ambassador
Posts: 20024
Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2005 6:22 pm
Location: Crossroads
Contact:

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by DaveKCMO »

Sneak preview of the new Siemens-built coaches coming to the Midwest:

Image

These will replace the long-delayed bi-level equipment order funded by the Recovery Act. Production starts this summer. The design is based on what's now in service on Florida's Brightline.
T_Wero
Parking Garage
Parking Garage
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue May 09, 2017 7:21 pm

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by T_Wero »

Effective last Wednesday, December 19, the Missouri River Runners starting operating with Positive Train Control (PTC)
User avatar
DaveKCMO
Ambassador
Posts: 20024
Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2005 6:22 pm
Location: Crossroads
Contact:

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by DaveKCMO »

T_Wero wrote: Sun Dec 23, 2018 7:01 pm Effective last Wednesday, December 19, the Missouri River Runners starting operating with Positive Train Control (PTC)
Just in time for my trip this weekend! #safetyfirst
User avatar
FangKC
City Hall
City Hall
Posts: 18132
Joined: Sat Jul 26, 2003 10:02 pm
Location: Old Northeast -- Indian Mound

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by FangKC »

Spring flooding affecting Missouri Amtrak service.


More evacuations in Midwest as floodwaters head downstream

...
Flooding was causing problems for passenger train service between Kansas City, Missouri, and St. Louis. Amtrak said Sunday that its Missouri River Runner service between the state's two largest cities was experiencing delays up to five hours because of flooding and rail congestion. All Missouri River Runner trains will be canceled Monday. The service typically travels twice daily between the two metropolitan areas.
...
https://www.kansascity.com/news/busines ... 55949.html
User avatar
FangKC
City Hall
City Hall
Posts: 18132
Joined: Sat Jul 26, 2003 10:02 pm
Location: Old Northeast -- Indian Mound

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by FangKC »

Amtrak between KC and St. Louis is shut down until at least next Wednesday.
User avatar
DaveKCMO
Ambassador
Posts: 20024
Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2005 6:22 pm
Location: Crossroads
Contact:

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by DaveKCMO »

FangKC wrote: Fri May 31, 2019 6:02 pm Amtrak between KC and St. Louis is shut down until at least next Wednesday.
No trains. They're running replacement bus service.

https://twitter.com/MoRiverRunner/statu ... 9307500544
User avatar
normalthings
Mark Twain Tower
Mark Twain Tower
Posts: 8018
Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:52 pm

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by normalthings »

Southwest Chief and River Runner are parked at Union Station. Due to floods?
WoodDraw
Hotel President
Hotel President
Posts: 3347
Joined: Tue Jan 27, 2004 8:53 pm

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by WoodDraw »

What does "rail congestion" mean?
User avatar
normalthings
Mark Twain Tower
Mark Twain Tower
Posts: 8018
Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:52 pm

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by normalthings »

WoodDraw wrote: Sat Jun 01, 2019 8:01 am What does "rail congestion" mean?
Rail traffic from the many flooded rail lines is being condensed onto what’s left open.
brewcrew1000
Hotel President
Hotel President
Posts: 3102
Joined: Fri Feb 11, 2011 10:10 am
Location: Broadway/Gilham according to google maps

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by brewcrew1000 »

Took the Chicago to KC train tonight and I really wish they had more frequencies. A morning train to/from Chicago, afternoon and a night train would be so awesome and the cost of taking a train is about the same or even cheaper than driving when u figure tolls, gas and parking in downtown chicago. They really need to stop daily service to Los Angeles from Chicago and cut it to twice a week or something. I bet that route loses a ton of money but having more frequencies between KC and Chicago could be profitable since 80% of the people get off in KC. All of the Amtrak long distance routes need to cut frequencies to twice weekly and they need to focus of frequencies between larger metros.
Last edited by brewcrew1000 on Sun Jul 07, 2019 10:09 am, edited 2 times in total.
T_Wero
Parking Garage
Parking Garage
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue May 09, 2017 7:21 pm

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by T_Wero »

Nay. Keep the Southwest Chief as is, but add a new KC-CHI only train. That would give you a guaranteed on time departure out of KC.
User avatar
DaveKCMO
Ambassador
Posts: 20024
Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2005 6:22 pm
Location: Crossroads
Contact:

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by DaveKCMO »

That route does loose a lot of money. It's the second worst. There's a chart in this article.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/amtrak-has ... 1562385660

I love the Southwest Chief and it provides a valuable service to rural communities, but Amtrak has always been saddled with conflicting goals (profitability and maintaining a national network) with lots of wiggle room for defining those two things.

A twice-daily Chicago-KC train would likely do much better and cost a lot less to run. Cutting frequency doesn't reduce much cost and would decimate ridership/revenue. The new CEO gets this and that's why he's proposed slicing up the route.

The alternative is Congress appropriates more (and continued) operational support.
User avatar
beautyfromashes
One Park Place
One Park Place
Posts: 7138
Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2005 11:04 am

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Post by beautyfromashes »

Shorter regional routes that could be pieced together would be the best option. I still don’t know why there isn’t a KC to Denver route. It would do great in the summer and winter with people going skiing.
Post Reply