NEW YORK — Amtrak has cancelled or modified service for a number of trains in the Northeast beginning on Saturday, and taken similar steps for services in and around the Midwest beginning Sunday, according to a service advisory posted this evening (Friday, Jan. 5) on the Amtrak website and the Amtrak Alerts feed on social media site X.
The moves are in anticipation of forecasts of winter storms and are “for the safety of Amtrak customers and passengers,” according to the advisory.
On Saturday, three Northeast Regional trains will have their routes shortened, while six Keystone Service trains that normally run between New York and Harrisburg will only operate between New York and Philadelphia. Northeast Regional train No. 151, a 4:20 a.m. departure from New York, will operate only to Washington D.C.; No. 66, which normally originates in Roanoka, Va., will instead originate in Washington at 10 a.m. and operate to Boston; and No. 168, which originates in Washington at 3:25 p.m. and normally services Boston, will terminate in New York City. Afternoon Keystone trains affected are eastbound Nos. 670, 672, and 674, along with westbound Nos. 667, 669, 671.
On Sunday, Jan. 7, Northeast Regional No. 195 to Richmond, Va., which normally originates in Boston at 6:35 a.m., will instead originate in New York at 11:05 a.m. Acela No. 2271 will only operate between New York and Washington, D.C., while train No. 2290, a 7:40 a.m. departure from New York to Boston, is cancelled.
Midwest changes
On Sunday, Jan. 7, the westbound Empire Builder (Nos. 7/27) is cancelled; on Monday, Jan. 8, eastbound Missouri River Runner No. 316, a 4:05 p.m. departure from Kansas City, Mo., is cancelled, while westbound Lincoln Service/Missouri River Runner No. 319 will only operate between Chicago and St. Louis.
More extensive changes are slated for Tuesday, Jan. 9:
— The eastbound Empire Builder (Nos. 8/28) departure from the West Coast is cancelled, as a result of the cancellation of the westbound train on Sunday.
— Three Hiawatha Service trains in each direction — southbound Nos. 330, 334, and 338; and northbound Nos. 331, 335, and 339 — are cancelled.
— Lincoln Service trains No. 300 (a 4:30 a.m. departure from St. Louis) and No. 305 (a 5:20 p.m. departure from Chicago) are cancelled.
— Missouri River Runner/Lincoln Service train No. 318 will only operate between St. Louis and Chicago; Missouri River Runner No. 311, the 8:10 a.m. departure from St. Louis, is cancelled.
— Illinois Zephyr No. 380, the 6:12 a.m. departure from Quincy, Ill., and Carl Sandburg No. 381, the 7:40 a.m. departure from Chicago, are cancelled.
— Wolverines No. 352, the 2:15 p.m.. departure from Chicago, and No. 353, the 8:50 a.m. departure from Pontiac, Mich., are cancelled.
As of Friday evening, the National Weather Service was forecasting heavy snow to develop in the Northeast late Saturday through Sunday morning, with snowfall of 6 to 12 inches north and west of Interstate 95 from Philadelphia to Providence, while a strong storm system arriving in the Pacific Northwest on Saturday is expected to emerge over the Central U.S. early next week.
Those holding reservations for any of the affected trains can modify their plans on the Amtrak app, at Amtrak.com, or by calling 800-USA-Rail. Watch the Amtrak website or app, or Amtrak social media sites, for updated train status. Amtrak cautions that all this information is subject to change.
Harrisburg got 6″, Lancaster 2″ snow. Other NEC paces are still getting precip. All NEC trains are electric except Daily Pennsylvanian which is diesel HBG-PHL.
Given rail height and clearance, plow pilot on an ACS-64 should skim 6″ snow. However, ex-Metroliner cab cars have smaler plow pilots. They do protect the cab signal pickup bars, part of the ACSES PTC system.
I’m guessing the storm is passing over Illinois. They are canceling the river runner but not the Lincoln service. I live by the kc-stl line and have never seen snow affect it. The snow probably won’t even be above the rails.
IMO Amtrak is probably correct in these cancellations. It is a known fact that Amtrak has not maintained the P-42s with enough reliability to prevent dispatch and enroute breakdowns. As well the DC traction motors are very susceptible to shorting out in powder snow. That seems to be the type of snow forecast. It may be Amtrak will add 2nd P-42s to remaining trains. IMO it should operate LSL with 3 locos & the short Capitol with 2 since they seem to still be operating.
BNSF already requires 3 locos for EB in winter with now maybe asking for at least 1 or more AC traction locos on each train or a BNSF AC on point?
This goes back to Amtrak trying run its trains with very few spare locos or no spares at all. A check of originations at CHI and engine changes at WASH has shown WASH takes many delays in turning southbound trains. Northbound trains do not take same delays when changing to electric motors.
Meant were not victimized.
Remember the days when people used to flock to the train stations as the snow fell because the airports were closing and they were the only thing running? I do.
Yes I do, and I also remember days when “lawyers” did not bring lawsuits at the drop of a hat and that people were happy to be victimized for anything. I am sure that the thought of litigation is forcing companies such as Amtrak and the airlines for that matter to issue these cancellations.
As I have stated before, I am all for Amtrak. However, if they keep this service model. The US Government should just eliminate funding and eliminate Amtrak all together. You make reservations and never know if the trains will operate. There is a lot more reliable services out there.
Isn’t that a snow plow pilot on the locomotive pictured at the beginning of the article? If Amtrak is not going to run trains during a snow storm, why did they waste money on them.
Midwest trains are being cancelled because of the forecast of normal winter weather in the northeastern states.
Update 1134 PM: SEPTA has NO weather related alerts or advisories posted
Forecast for Harrisburg is 3 to 6 inches of snow. Philadelphia 1 to 1 1/4 inches.
Amtrak is not only one Eurostar had cancelled service because of flooding/TheDB and the NS because of snow during Christmas…..
Ahh, for the good old days when the railroads took care of their passengers instead of hiding under a desk when foul weather approaches.
What a disgrace Amtrak has become. For decades train travel has been the all weather mode of transportation.
So before anyone gets warm and fuzzy about possible route expansion, consider that Amtraks current management can’t run the current system it has now.
So anyone hoping for a bright future for Amtrak, that can only happen with a new BOD and management who has a clue on running a railroad.
Mr. Lustig: I wish the pathetic, delusional folks at the NARP/RPA could be made to read your comment and Mr. Bolsega’s too. If you can access it, have a read of today’s (1/5) RPA Hotline News. Unbelievable.
Mr. Happy,
Didn’t you know that the theme song at NARP/RPA is the old Ethel Merman classic ‘everything’s coming up roses’?
That should me Mr. Gardners walk up song because according to him, everything’s coming up roses, in his world namely
My apologies Mr. Shapp, I didn’t proof read my response. Spellchecker replaced your real last name.
Again my apologies