Amtrak's Southwest Chief makes a rare, evening appearance in Crozier Canyon after two days of storms have blanketed the region in Snow. Due to the derailment at Hibbard, AZ and bad weather conditions, Amtrak #3 is operating over 42 hours behind schedule. Have arrived into Albuquerque on Sunday (1/24), they did not leave until 24 hours later because both main tracks were closed at Hibbard due to the derailment.
On Monday (1/25), the train departed Albuquerque at 1700 and slowly moves across the Gallup Sub as it fights congested traffic. Once it was clear that the #3 (ABQ crew DOL 0415) was not going to make Kingman (the next crew change location for the Albuquerque), plans were made the LA crew (staying in Kingman) to meet the train at Williams (0200). Due to the road conditions, the new crew would have to ride a BNSF freight train to meet Amtrak. It's now Tuesday morning (1/26) at 0900 by the time the new crew arrives. Problem is, BNSF crew piloting the train for the LA crew was about to run out of hours of service(DOL 1100); as well as the new Amtrak crew from Kingman (DOL 1230).
The train stopped in Seligman at 1030 where a new BNSF pilot will arrive to take over piloting duties. While that is happening, another Amtrak crew from Kingman has to be called due the first LA crew running out of hours of service. The second LA crew will have to take a train to Seligman as well as the road conditions are still not safe for travel. Finally, Amtrak is on the move west at 1650.
They passed by Valentine at 1810 as they had to follow freight trains into Kingman.
