Hotline #808-A - January 18, 1994

The earthquake in Los Angeles yesterday did far worse damage to that region's sprawling freeways than to its rail system, but there were still disruptions. The Red and Blue lines were not damaged and today are in full operation. Also, Metrolink commuter rail service is running normally today, except there is increased service on the Santa Clarita line -- but no service west of Van Nuys on the Simi Valley line.

Yesterday, the Red Line did not run because it had to be inspected after each aftershock. The Blue line ran only on surface. Metrolink was not running because of track inspections and because of the big Southern Pacific derailment near the earthquake epicenter near Northridge. That is on Metrolink's Simi Valley line and Amtrak's San Diegan and Coast Starlight service toward Santa Barbara.

Amtrak is bussing Coast Starlight passengers south of San Luis Obispo. It is not yet known how San Joaquin Thruway busses are doing. They must pass through the heavily damaged freeway interchange at Santa Clarita. Amtrak expected to restore San Diegan service south of Los Angeles by mid-morning. Long-distance trains to the east were not seriously affected.

In the next few months, because of the extensive damage to the freeways, the earthquake could prove to be a boon to Metrolink. The same thing happened to BART after the 1989 earthquake in the Bay Area. Los Angeles area freeway repairs might take up to a year.

Because of cold and snow, the Montrealer is not running north of New York. The Capitol Limited and Lake Shore Limited did not run last night, nor will they tonight. The Broadway Limited, with extra cars, was rerouted over Conrail through Cleveland and will be again tonight. The Cardinal did not run tonight or tomorrow night. Several train annulments disrupted Milwaukee and St. Louis line service. The Empire Builder is not running between St. Paul and Spokane.

An encouraging story about the 1995 Amtrak budget, including quotes from Administration sources, ran in yesterday's Washington Post. The Post says the Administration will propose moderate increases in both operating and capital support over the level enacted for 1994 -- the first time any Administration proposed doing such a thing in many years.