Amtrak Pacific Surfliner part suspended

[island]

As of yesterday the Pacific Surfliner route has been suspended south of Irvine owing to track bed damage. This is understood to be due to coastal erosion exacerbated by Tropical Storm Kay, possibly a similar situation to Dawlish. They intend reinstating a shuttle service Oceanside to San Diego with a rail replacement bus between Oceanside and Irvine, although this may be hampered by equipment being out of place.

more at https://www.pacificsurfliner.com/plan-your-trip/alerts/travel-advisories/

Safety concerns to the right-of-way in San Clemente have made it necessary to suspend train service through the area. Pacific Surfliner trains will not operate between Irvine and Oceanside until further notice. We will share updates as soon as details are available.


The service suspension became effective Friday, September 30, out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of our passengers and crews. Regular service will resume once the repairs are completed...

 

[Beebman]

3-minute news report from CBS Los Angeles about the suspension of the Pacific Surfliner route due to track bed damage:

Commuters who rely on the LOSSAN rail corridor heading through San Clemente will be subjected to rail closures for the foreseeable future, after considerable erosion in the area has called for emergency work to re-stabilize the tracks. Michele Gile reports.

 

[ac6000cw]

It's a nice ride along that section, but it is very close to the sea in places - and it's only single track, unlike Dawlish. As most of the trains through there are passenger, I assume suspending the service is partly to allow repairs to get done as fast as possible.

Based on what was said in the news video, freight is still being allowed through so presumably they could also move Amtrak equipment through there as necessary (as empty stock). South of Oceanside the 'Coaster' commuter rail service also runs to/from San Diego, so it's not just Amtrak on that section.

 

[DelW]

Yesterday (I think - the time difference confuses things) the web cam at San Juan Capistrano showed two movements of Metrolink equipment heading north. It looked like two trainsets in each. Presumably clearing out Oceanside stabling sidings?
BNSF were still running auto-racks and other freight through there then, but I can't find any sign of anything so far today.

 

[eldomtom2]

One hopes this does not end up like the post-Katrina Gulf Coast service where the freight railroads fight tooth and nail to prevent the reinstatement of passenger service.

 

[Taunton]

Is it still possible for rail freight to get out of San Diego the other way, down the trolley line (which is fully mainstream freight compatible) and along the border into the Imperial Valley? That line has been in and out of service, through a range of residual operators, for many years.

 

[ac6000cw]

One hopes this does not end up like the post-Katrina Gulf Coast service where the freight railroads fight tooth and nail to prevent the reinstatement of passenger service.

It's primarily a passenger route (has been for many years) and from Fullerton to San Diego is publicly owned by regional and local agencies. BNSF has trackage rights over it for freight. Basically LA Metrolink commuter rail runs (LA-)Fullerton to Oceanside, NCTD 'Coaster' commuter rail runs Oceanside to San Diego and Amtrak 'Surfliner' trains run over the whole route.

Is it still possible for rail freight to get out of San Diego the other way, down the trolley line (which is fully mainstream freight compatible) and along the border into the Imperial Valley? That line has been in and out of service, through a range of residual operators, for many years.

I don't think so at present (in terms of going via Mexico to a connection with UP at Plaster City, CA) - see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Diego_and_Imperial_Valley_Railroad and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baja_California_Railroad