Delayed by Freight
Measuring On-Time Performance Across Our Network
Delayed by Freight
Measuring On-Time Performance Across Our Network
Updated April 2024
What are Freight Train Interference Delays?
Waiting for freight trains is the largest cause of delay to passengers.
Freight train interference — a dispatching decision made by a freight railroad to delay Amtrak passengers so that freight trains can operate first — caused 900,000 minutes (over 1.5 years) of delay in 2023.
Freight train interference happens because some freight railroads ignore the law.
For over 50 years, freight railroads have been required by law to provide Amtrak with “preference” to run passenger trains ahead of freight trains. However, many freight railroads ignore the law because it is extremely difficult for Amtrak to enforce it, and as a result, people and the American economy suffer.
Long Distance On-Time Performance Struggles Again in 2023
The on-time performance of all long-distance routes in 2023 has not met the FRA's 80% on-time standard.
| Percentage of On-Time Customers by Route – 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| City of New Orleans |
Chicago – Memphis – New Orleans |
CN | 75% |
| Capitol Limited |
Chicago – Cleveland – Pittsburgh – Washington, DC |
NS, CSX |
70% |
| Lake Shore Limited |
New York/Boston – Albany – Chicago |
CSX, NS |
69% |
| Palmetto | New York – Washington, DC – Charleston – Savannah | CSX | 67% |
| Auto Train |
Orlando – Washington, DC |
CSX |
66% |
| Texas Eagle |
Chicago – St. Louis – Dallas – San Antonio – (Los Angeles) |
BNSF, UP, CN | 60% |
| Coast Starlight |
Seattle – Portland – Sacramento – Los Angeles |
BNSF, UP | 58% |
| Cardinal |
New York – Washington, DC – Charlottesville – Cincinnati – Indianapolis – Chicago |
NS, CSX |
58% |
| Crescent |
New Orleans – Atlanta – Charlotte – Washington, DC – New York |
NS | 57% |
| Silver Meteor | New York – Washington, DC – Charleston – Savannah – Jacksonville – Orlando – Tampa/Miami | CSX | 53% |
| Empire Builder | Portland/Seattle – Havre – St. Paul – Milwaukee – Chicago | BNSF, CP | 51% |
| Silver Star | Miami – Tampa – Savannah – Raleigh – Washington, DC – New York | CSX, NS | 49% |
| Sunset Limited |
Los Angeles – Tucson – San Antonio – Houston – New Orleans |
BNSF, UP | 44% |
| Southwest Chief | Los Angeles – Flagstaff – Albuquerque – Newton – Chicago | BNSF | 34% |
| California Zephyr | Emeryville – Reno – Denver – Omaha – Chicago | BNSF, UP | 33% |
Who is Delaying Amtrak Passengers?
The Host Railroad Report Card grades the largest freight railroad hosts based on the delays that Amtrak customers experience while traveling on host tracks. Each Amtrak route that travels on host railroads is also awarded a pass/fail grade based on how often customers arrive on time.
The Host Railroad Report Card includes FAQs on why Amtrak trains are delayed by freight trains.
Who is Delaying Amtrak Passengers?
The Host Railroad Report Card grades the largest freight railroad hosts based on the delays that Amtrak customers experience while traveling on host tracks. Each Amtrak route that travels on host railroads is also awarded a pass/fail grade based on how often customers arrive on time.
The Host Railroad Report Card includes FAQs on why Amtrak trains are delayed by freight trains.
2023 End of Year Report Card Highlights
Host railroad performance improved in the past year, but there is much more room for growth.
All 15 long distance routes and 15 of the 25 State-Supported routes failed to meet on-time performance metrics and standards, set by the Federal Railroad Administration.
The amount of freight rail volume does not affect Amtrak delays.
Data analysis finds there is no correlation between the level of freight rail volume and the amount of delay to Amtrak passengers. Although freight rail volumes decreased over 10% from 2006 to 2019, Amtrak’s on-time performance worsened. The truth is that when freight railroad leadership decides to dispatch Amtrak trains according to the law, on-time performance will improve, literally overnight.
Delay Alerts: Trains outside the Northeast | Trains in the Northeast | Pacific Surfliner | Capitol Corridor | San Joaquins | Service Alerts and Notices
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