Amtrak cancels some long-distance trains for Tuesday amid freight strike concerns

Amtrak has suspended service on some long-distance train routes beginning Tuesday as the rail industry braces for a potential strike among railroad freight workers that could begin later this week.

The cancellations beginning Tuesday impact certain trains that run between Chicago and the West Coast along Amtrak’s Southwest Chief, California Zephyr and Empire Builder routes. It’s part of what Amtrak is calling a “phased adjustment” to its service in preparation for the potential service interruption which the rail operator says could “significantly impact intercity rail service.”

It’s not clear when service might resume.

The entire rail and freight industry has been bracing for the potential of this strike, in the midst of a looming Friday deadline for negotiations. In a letter last week, the American Trucking Association asked Congressional leaders to intervene, warning such a strike could have ramifications not just for travel, but for supply chains, too.

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In addition to these three long-haul routes, other routes could soon be affected, too. If there is no resolution, all of Amtrak’s long-distance routes and most of its state-supported routes could soon face disruptions as well.

“These adjustments are necessary to ensure trains can reach their terminals prior to freight railroad service interruption if a resolution in negotiations is not reached,” Amtrak said in a statement to TPG.

SERVICE ADVISORY: Southwest Chief Trains 3 and 4 which are scheduled to depart Chicago (CHI) and Los Angeles (LAX) on 9/13 are cancelled. For reservation assistance, please call 1-800-872-7245.

— Amtrak Alerts (@AmtrakAlerts) September 12, 2022

The negotiations at the center of the looming concerns do not involve Amtrak or its workers, but could have a significant impact on operators nationwide, since outside of the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak primarily uses tracks owned and maintained by freight companies.

At this point, it appears there would be minimal impact to service on Amtrak’s critical Northeast Regional Corridor. Travelers are not expected to notice any changes when riding the Acela train, or on Northeast Regional trains between Washington, D.C., New York and Boston, or on associated lines to Albany, N.Y., Springfield, Mass. or Harrisburg, Penn.

An Amtrak California Zephyr train departs Chicago Union Station. LUKE SHARRETT/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

The routes currently affected

The routes initially suspended by Amtrak involve long-haul service between Chicago’s Union Station and the West Coast.

Amtrak’s Southwest Chief route operates between Chicago and Los Angeles, making stops in Kansas City, Albuquerque and Flagstaff along the 40-plus-hour route.

The California Zephyr runs between Chicago and Emeryville, California, in the Bay Area. Over its typical 51-hour, 20-minute journey, the train makes stops in Omaha, Nebraska, Denver and Salt Lake City.

Related: 9 mistakes travelers make on their first train trips

Meanwhile, the Empire Builder runs from Chicago, making a stop in Minneapolis/St. Paul and Spokane, before continuing to either Seattle or Portland, Oregon (and in the reverse direction, too). A typical journey takes around 46 hours.

Amtrak Empire Builder 2021. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Amtrak refunding tickets, waiving fees

Amid the disruptions, Amtrak is reaching out to riders who may be affected or who could soon be impacted. The operator is offering customers the opportunity to rebook without change fees or without having to pay any fare difference. Amtrak is also offering refunds to affected travelers.

Bottom line

Amtrak has suspended service on three long-haul routes between Chicago and the West Coast, but if labor negotiations among freight railroad workers do not reach an agreement soon, many more routes could be affected.

Featured photo by Luke Sharrett/AFP/Getty Images.