Originally Posted by Seat 2A

The last two or three times I've ridden the Builder westbound into Seattle (all in the past 18 months), it's actually arrived early. The schedule allows a sizeable fudge factor between Everett and Seattle, (Actually between Wenatchee and Everett in particular) so it's hard to be late westbound.

That said, I've logged just over 17000 miles this year alone on Amtrak, and none of the trains have been notably late.

Unfortunately, Amtrak delays are an unfortunate reality due in no small measure to unscrupulous dispatching practices by the host railroads exacerbated by insignificant and/or insufficient penalties rarely levied against them by reluctant government regulators.

I was once on an eastbound Empire Builder that that arrived into Chicago 22 hours late. Following an on time departure out of King St., we were originally delayed due to a broken down freight ahead of us in eastern Washington. The delay was compounded and cascaded by BNSF dispatchers that continually shunted us onto sidings throughout Idaho, Montana and North Dakota to let their "money making" freights pass by, even though we were off schedule because of their broken down train.

In spite of these practices, I can tell you as one who has logged over 200000 miles on Amtrak that a significant number of Amtrak trains do indeed operate on time - a statistic that is rarely (if ever) acknowledged by the news media.

As to a Seattle rendezvous with jrl767, I was unaware the M's were playing that day - in the ALCS no less! - and even with an ontime arrival, it's gonna be a zoo down by the station and nearby stadium in advance of the game. I come through Seattle often - 2052 transits so far, according to flightmemory - so let's try this on another day. 🍺 🍻 ⚾️