All about the community of model railroading and rail enthusiasm
August 29, 2017
In the wake of unprecedented flooding and damage along the Texas coast, Union Pacific and Kansas City Southern today announced combined pledges of $300,000 toward supporting Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. This donation will be spread amongst the large number of people and businesses that have been affected. For homeowners, this is a troubling time as most of their possessions and their homes are likely to have been damaged during this flood. Hopefully, these homeowners have home insurance. This will allow them to make claims on their insurance policy, helping them to fund the rebuild of their homes. Most homes will have experienced roofing damage caused by the high winds. If this hurricane has affected the roof of anyone’s home, it might be worth getting in contact with Bordner Home Improvement to see if they can repair the roof. Hopefully, the insurance company will be able to provide some of the funds for those sorts of home repair jobs. If anyone doesn’t have home insurance, it’s likely that they’ll consider getting some after this tragic event. Perhaps people will want to read this article here to learn about the benefits of home insurance.
UP pledged $250,000 to come from corporate and employee donations. Immediate donations of $100,000 to the American Red Cross and $50,000 to Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund are being made. Additionally, Union Pacific will match contributions to its “Friend to Friend” employee support network through Sept. 30, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000.
The company, whose Southern Region division is headquartered in Houston, will also match donations made to a Disaster Relief Matching Gifts Program for Hurricane Harvey, where employees can provide funding directly to American Red Cross, Salvation Army and others.
KCS announced its charitable fund will immediately donate $50,000 to the American Red Cross. In addition, the Kansas City-based railroad will match dollar for dollar employee gifts to the American Red Cross via the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation-KCS Fund up to $25,000.
Houston, Texas and the Gulf region are central to the KCS rail network with many employees and customers located there.
SERVICE REMAINS DISRUPTED ALONG COASTAL RAIL NETWORK
Rail and other traffic remained at a standstill as the region dealt with record flooding. According to The Weather Channel, parts of Houston have reported receiving up to 51 inches of rainfall? a preliminary all-time record in the continental U.S. ? and more is expected as the storm, downgraded to Tropical Storm Harvey, reforms over the Gulf of Mexico. About 50 inches of rain is expected by Friday. In this extreme weather, damages to local buildings are highly likely. Sadly, it would not be surprising if certain homes are even made inhabitable and people are left homeless. If your house is badly impacted by the storm, this company buys houses in the Houston area, that need repairs and this can help to cover the cost of finding somewhere new to live.
On Monday, UP suspended rail operations along the Texas Gulf Coast from Brownsville through Corpus Christi to Houston and east to Lake Charles, LA. No trains are operating through flooded and storm-damaged areas.
Embargoes for all rail traffic destined to Gulf Coast locations and others within UP’s Houston service unit were placed. UP recommends customers consider diverting cars destined to the impacted area where feasible.
UP is conducting track inspections, where possible, in anticipation of resuming operations.
BNSF is using drones to survey damage, a company spokesman said. Train movements in the region have been halted.
The storm also has disrupted Amtrak’s Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle. In a service advisory posted Monday, Amtrak said the Sunset Limited (Train 1/421 & 2/422) will originate and terminate in San Antonio instead of New Orleans, with no alternate transportation between New Orleans and San Antonio. Also, the Texas Eagle (Train 21/421 & 22/422) will originate and terminate in Fort Worth instead of San Antonio, with alternate transportation provided between Fort Worth and San Antonio.
Amtrak Thruway Buses in central and southern Texas have been cancelled. Amtrak’sstation in Houston remains closed.
Many major highways remain disrupted by the storm, and both of Houston’s airports are closed and may not open until Thursday or Friday.
GALVESTON MUSEUM AVOIDS DAMAGE
In Galveston, the Galveston Railroad Museum, which was heavily damaged by Hurricane Ike in 2008, dodged a bullet. Executive Director Morris Gould said none of the buildings took on water, although it appeared the yard where much of GRM’s rolling stock is on display, had about 10 inches of water.
Before the storm hit Friday, GRM moved its Santa Fe F7A “Warbonnet” locomotives and Amtrak-certified vintage Budd passenger cars to BNSF’s yard in Pearland. BNSF reported over the weekend that the yard was inaccessible because of flooding. No details were provided on the condition of any equipment in the yard.
