The Amtrak Metro-North lawsuit continued Friday. A federal court in New York denied Amtrak’s petition. The request sought a preliminary injunction in aid of arbitration against Metro-North. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Amtrak Metro-North lawsuit: Injunction denied
Photo: www.fox61.com

As FOX61 reported, the ruling was a major setback for Amtrak. The legal fight involves Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company and alleged violations of a longstanding contract. Meanwhile, thousands of commuters in Connecticut and New York continue to await the outcome.

The decision addressed Amtrak’s injunction petition. Still, the wider contract and track-access dispute remains unresolved.

Amtrak sued Metro-North last month. Metro-North had refused to allow Amtrak’s non-revenue trains to operate on its tracks. Amtrak officials say that refusal violates a contract. The contract has been in place for more than 35 years.

Amtrak Metro-North lawsuit centers on track access

Amtrak’s non-passenger trains complete test and safety inspection trips on Metro-North tracks. Those trips are necessary to ensure Amtrak’s robust passenger service.

Also, Amtrak officials say the current dispute is causing costly delays. They also say it is causing cancellations and equipment shortages.

On Friday, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York issued the key decision. In its summary, the court said the decision was closer than Metro-North acknowledges. Still, it denied Amtrak’s petition for a preliminary injunction in aid of arbitration against Metro-North.

Separately, FOX61 reached out to Amtrak officials on Friday for comment. It said it will update the story if a response is received.

MTA cites NextGen Acela trains in the dispute

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which oversees and operates Metro-North, welcomed the court’s decision.

MTA spokesperson Aaron Donovan said the MTA was pleased with the court’s decision. Donovan said:

“Metro-North is committed to keeping customers safe and protecting our vital infrastructure, and it is entirely appropriate for Metro-North to require Amtrak to agree to accept responsibility for any damage their trains may cause to the Metro-North network,”

In an email, the MTA explained its position. It said Amtrak has been barred for several months. The restriction covers non-revenue trains on Metro-North tracks.

MTA officials say the dispute relates specifically to Amtrak’s NextGen Acela trains.

The email reads:

“They not only destroyed overhead wires that power the New Haven Line on Jan. 20, 2026, causing train service disruptions, but they were also responsible for causing a fire at Penn Station on Thursday, May 14, 2026, that caused [Long Island Railroad] to suspend service to/from Penn Station,”

In addition, the email says Amtrak trains have now caused major damage. The damage involved essential equipment on both Metro-North lines and the Long Island Railroad.

Operating agreement dispute remains unresolved

The MTA email also said Amtrak and Metro-North were attempting to settle these differences. It said Amtrak stopped negotiating and chose to sue on April 23. The email concludes:

“Amtrak and Metro-North were working toward an operating agreement that would have allowed Amtrak to move these trains over Metro-North tracks when Amtrak cut that process short on April 23 and sued Metro-North, seeking to deny Metro-North the ability to seek an operating agreement that would protect its infrastructure,”

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