(The following story by Karen Binder appeared on The Southern on February 21.)
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Amtrak passengers traveling through the Carbondale and Du Quoin stations should consider adding extra travel time to reach their train respective destinations, Amtrak officials advise.
“Like roads, we do need to make sure the tracks are clear. Trains by nature are the most reliable form of transportation,’’ Amtrak spokesman Cliff Cole said.
Under the current ice storm conditions, Cole said passengers should account for the added time needed to reach their stations and any delays of trains arriving and departing the stations.
Amtrak leases use of Canadian National railway’s tracks for its trains. This means CN crews working from the Carbondale Yard Office off U.S. 51 are responsible for keeping the tracks clear.
Given that an engine and cars can weigh up to 15,000 tons, most trains easily break through any ice or snow over the tracks, Frank Cano, CN track superviser, said.
Fallen or leaning trees or any other obstruction are the main concern for Cano’s crews during weather like this. On Thursday afternoon, Cano had six four-man crews checking the tracks, primarily cleaning out switches and patrolling the tracks for broken rails.
The tracks between Carbondale and Cairo were closed for three to four hours during last week’s storm, allowing crews time to clear trees. There’s been no reason to change train traffic, Cano added.
“We have to keep the trains moving because they carry everything we need to live,” Cano said.