Christmas Day 2011 at the Amtrak station in Little Rock, Arkansas was quite active in the pre-dawn hours.  Texas Eagle 22, the northbound, had its single engine fail 2 hours north of Little Rock, AR near Alicia, AR about 215 am, stalling the train. So, the southbound Eagle no. 21, which had passed no. 22 and was almost at Little Rock at Jacksonville, AR, was told to back up north to hook onto the stalled no. 22 and then haul it BACK to Little Rock, where 22 had left earlier at 1140 pm. From Gene Pool comes the explanation: "The failed engine on Train 22(24) was the AMTK 38 with major oil leak, engine shut down. Train 21(24) was ordered to rescue; it reversed at 30mph from MP 288 to MP 239 (49 miles) to reach the stranded Train 22. Passengers were without heat and light until they could detrain at Little Rock. Outside temperature was 37°F. Passengers on Train 22(24) were bustituted to CHI; Train 22(24) deadheaded to Chicago, powered by the UP6327."

That combined train of Amtrak 21 and 22 stopped in the UP's North Little Rock yards and unhooked 22's consist at the fuel rack and added UP locomotive 7753.  Number 21 then continued on to Union Station on its own, boarded the usual passengers and left southbound.

Four buses were called to meet no. 22 returning to Union Station to carry no. 22's passengers to stops north all the way to Chicago. The buses used were Little Rock Tour buses. One of the drivers told me that they had a hard time getting drivers since it was Christmas Day. The buses arrived about 5 a.m. The Amtrak agent, Larry (only one agent on duty at LRK at train time) was told to get coffee, donuts, etc for 22's soon to be bused passengers (there were almost 200 people on board no. 22). So, I went with Larry to try and find something that was open on Christmas Eve. Walmart, Kroger, etc were closed. We found a 24 hour Walgreens and got milk and orange juice and one Shipleys Donuts location that was open,  where we got 30 dozen donuts! Quite a Christmas adventure! (Larry locked the ticket office but the waiting room remained open and the Amtrak crewbase is located here, so they were available to keep watch on the waiting room while we were gone).

The passengers on Amtrak 22 which were being bused were all friendly and seemed to have the Christmas spirit. I didn't near any complaints, but one couple asked for a refund (which they got) and bought airline tickets to Chicago for $700 since they had to be there by a certain time. An Air Force man, who had crutches, asked an Amtrak employee at the station to call for an ambulance at 9 a.m. since he was having some kind of health issue. The ambulance got there in a few minutes.

It was lucky that Union Pacific wasn't running many freights on Christmas Day. I only saw one freight at 2:30 a.m. and didn't see any more before I left at 9:30.  Had it been a regular active day for UP, this backup move that Amtrak 21 made to Alicia probably wouldn't have gone as smoothly.

Anyway, following are some photos of the event and links to my Youtube HD movies. (Ken Ziegenbein)


Little Rock Tour buses in front of the Amtrak station at 5:22 a.m.


Here's a few of the donuts we got in the back of my car. Larry and I went together in his truck to find places that were open to get these since even Wal Mart and Kroger were closed on Christmas Eve. Shipley Donuts and a 24-hour Walgreens were open. I went back to get most of the donuts since it takes about an hour to get 30 dozen donuts made, in case you're wondering, especially at 4:30 in the morning.


Donuts, milk, orange juice, cups stacked on the baggage cart temporarily.


Amtrak Texas Eagle No. 21 finally arriving at 7:07 a.m.

Click this link to view a movie of this train arriving:
http://youtu.be/PTL4CNjHNm8


Private car L&N Royal Street was on the rear of the train.








Amtrak 22 being shoved back to Union Station by UP 7753, 7:57 a.m.

Click this link to view the arrival of the return of Amtrak 22 being pushed by UP 7753:
http://youtu.be/uZ_2yCWVPm8


UP 7753 with Amtrak 22's consist, including the engine that couldn't, Amtrak 38.


Passengers starting to get off No. 22 at 8:01 a.m. heading for the buses.


UP crew getting on UP 7753.


Heading for the waiting four buses at 8:03 a.m.

Click this link to view the above scene movie:
http://youtu.be/e8qyIceZrDA


Wider angle showing all 4 buses.




8:06 a.m.


8:08 a.m. waiting to board the buses.


The famous donuts, milk inside the station.


This baggage had to be unloaded from the train then reloaded into the buses. That's Amtrak Agent Larry to the left of the cart.


The sun finally came out at 8:38 a.m.

Click this link to view this train leaving behind UP 7753 empty at 8:42 a.m.
http://youtu.be/O3Hrvx8ncik


At 9 a.m., this ambulance was called to take a passenger to the hospital. He was complaining of a medical condition.

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