If Amtrak trains are notoriously late, why don't they change their schedules?

Question

I've been checking the status of train 6 from California to Illinois and it's almost ALWAYS 5 hours late to Chicago, often more than that. I just wondered why the same schedule is kept in place.

Answer 1

Most of the delay is caused by unforeseen circumstances. Track problems, traffic problems created by the freight trains that share the rails, and Amtrak hits alot of automobiles.

As far as the automobiles are concerned, people are usually nailed when going around crossing gates. They get used to seeing the slow, plodding freight trains pass, they see a headlight coming and figure they have time to make it, then they get nailed because the Amtrak train is traveling at 79 mph or more. Then, its "surprise."

So, schedule change wouldn't help. Chronic delay is just the nature of the beast.

Answer 2

I have taken the Southwest Chief several times, from California to Chicago, and did not find it running late.

Within California, I have been on each of the north-south lines, coastal and in the Central Valley, and found them pretty punctual.

Amtrak in general doesn't seem to be any more risky than trying to fly anywhere because the airlines too have crises and delays and cancellations.

Probably Amtrak operates more efficiently in the West, and I suppose the rail services in the East have always been undependable. New York Central was pathetic, and I remember the NYCRR for its dirty cars as well as lateness.

California has the advantage of state involvement in rail services as well as Amtrak, including subsidies.

Answer 3

They can't change their schedules because the time varies so much. I've actually been on a train from New Mexico to Chicago, that actually arrived in New Mexico 1 1/2 hour late, and arrived in Chicago 1/2 hour early.

Plus, there are tons of varibles that play into the timing of the trains: Weather, other trains, etc.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Weather problems. Track problems. And waiting for freights to get out of the way. AMTRAK has the priority over freights trains, but sometimes there just isn't a handy place for a freight to pull off the main line.

Answer 6

am,trak trains are late every where they don't have priority over nothing the slow frieght trains move in and around the passenger trains making the amtrak train wait at a signal so train traffic can move at a go pace they do have train traffic jams by the time a train has gotten up to a good sped the train behind has to slow down and the train behind him makes a chain reaction and it keeps on thats what a lot of frieghts travel at night less train traffic

Answer 7

Because the Union Pacific would just take further advantage of them. Union pacific wants amtrak off it's rails. What would you expect of a corporation that would have Dick Cheney (the vice pres) on its board of directors? Kind of neat how bushie zero funds amtrak year after year and his veep is on it's board. (or was on the board, I'm sure any influence that fastass dickie had went away the second he resigned from the UP board). It all needs to be investigated...

edit edit..The Chief goes all BNSF chi to la. The zephyr goe BNSF chi to den, the gets screwed by the UP den to emy.

Answer 8

They like to be late.