Posted 6:17 PM by Marco

Amtrak tried a new excuse out on me.
I arrived at Thirtieth Street Station, bought my ticket at the ATM, and was ready to board my 12:09 train at around 12:05 (another reason why the train beats flying), but they were not boarding until around 12:10 (despite the board which showed the train as on-time).
The train pulls into the station around 12:15 (not too bad), but then we do not seem to pull out quickly (standard practice when running late).
Another five minutes go by, and they make an announcement I have never heard before: We will be delayed indefinitely because there is a brush fire on the tracks ahead.
Footage sure to make the local news.
We actually pull out at 12:30, and ten minutes later (just north of an auto bridge connecting South Philly to NJ, we pass an old brick warehouse, with several fire trucks pouring water into it.
I could see flames burning the corrugated plastic covered window holes.
A few miles later, the train increased to its normal speed.
Delightful, almost TOO warm, here in DC.

I checked in early again to my usual Hyatt.