Amtrak passengers faced severe delays throughout August 2024, with numerous long-distance routes experiencing lengthy interruptions. The Empire Builder, Southwest Chief, and California Zephyr were among the most affected trains, consistently encountering delays primarily attributed to freight train interference, extreme weather conditions, and mechanical issues.
One notable incident involved the Empire Builder, which departed Seattle on August 30th. Initially on schedule, the train lost significant time en route and arrived in Rugby, North Dakota, 13 hours and 29 minutes behind schedule during Labor Day weekend. The delays were exacerbated by the use of a borrowed freight locomotive from BNSF Railway, which could not reach the maximum speed of 79 mph. The train ultimately arrived at Chicago Union Station 14 hours and 8 minutes late. Amtrak attributed the delay to mechanical issues with its ALC42 Charger locomotives, which became disabled east of Ephrata, Washington, forcing a nine-hour stop to secure replacement equipment and a fresh crew.
This incident underscores a broader trend observed across Amtrak’s network in August, with multiple trains experiencing delays due to freight train interference, operational issues, and extreme weather. The Midwest and Western states were particularly impacted. Amtrak’s official Host Railroad Report highlights the significant role of freight train interference, especially from BNSF Railway, in causing delays. The Southwest Chief, for instance, faced numerous delays between Barstow, California, and Gallup, New Mexico, due to congestion on BNSF’s Transcon route. Similarly, the segment from Hutchinson, Kansas, to La Junta, Colorado, experienced repeated delays caused by speed restrictions and freight train interference.
Weather also played a critical role in delaying numerous trains. High temperatures across the northern plains forced trains like the Empire Builder to operate at reduced speeds due to concerns about rail expansion, known as “sun kinks.” This was particularly evident on the Williston, North Dakota, to Shelby, Montana, stretch, where delays were reported five times in August. The California Zephyr, traversing the Rocky Mountains, also experienced delays due to weather-related slow orders in Utah and Colorado.
In August, Amtrak originated over 9,000 departures, but nearly 100 trains experienced significant delays. The California Zephyr, despite showing improvement in timekeeping compared to previous months, still encountered weather-related delays across the Midwest, particularly in Iowa and Nebraska.
Beyond delays en route, many trains departed their initial terminals more than an hour late, with New York City, Washington D.C., and Chicago experiencing the most significant delays. For example, the Silver Meteor and Crescent faced substantial delays on August 5th, departing over three hours late from New York City. Equipment issues, crew shortages, and operational inefficiencies were cited as primary causes for these delays.
Amtrak is working closely with host railroads, including BNSF Railway, to address the root causes of these delays, as outlined in reports by the Surface Transportation Board and the U.S. Department of Justice, which are investigating freight train interference on Amtrak routes. To stay informed about train schedules and delays, Amtrak advises passengers to consult the official Amtrak website and train status alerts for real-time updates. The railroad remains committed to improving punctuality across its long-distance routes while addressing infrastructure and operational challenges.
