Amtrak and UP pact reroutes Sunset Limited in Louisiana

The Amtrak UP track-usage pact took effect April 1. It allows Amtrak to use a 5-mile section of UP-owned track. The segment starts near Avondale, Louisiana. Announced yesterday, the agreement reroutes the Sunset Limited onto Union Pacific infrastructure.

Amtrak UP track-usage pact takes effect

The Sunset Limited is a long-distance service. It runs three times weekly between New Orleans and Los Angeles. As Amtrak noted, most of the route already operates over UP track. Much of the trip already runs over Union Pacific infrastructure.

Sunset Limited reroute and earlier delays

Several years ago, Amtrak was dealing with poor on-time performance on the route. It later filed a complaint with the Surface Transportation Board. The filing sought help in resolving the issue with Union Pacific.

“We are grateful to have reached this agreement with Union Pacific. Both Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have shown a strong commitment to quality Amtrak passenger-rail service,”

Don’t miss…Alto high-speed rail cancellation fuels political debate

Jennifer Mitchell said this in a press release. She is Amtrak’s executive vice president of strategy, planning and accessibility.

Longstanding access to the UP network

Union Pacific officials said the railroad has provided Amtrak access to its network since 1971. That was when the national intercity passenger service began. UP officials said Amtrak trains travel about 4.6 million train miles each year. The travel takes place across the Class I’s network.

“Amtrak is a key industry partner, and this agreement underscores our ongoing commitment to working with them to enhance both passenger- and freight-rail services,”

Eric Gehringer said this. He is UP Executive VP of Operations.

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed: