Amtrak service cancellations as Winter Storm Fern hits

Amtrak service cancellations are spreading across the United States as a historic Arctic outbreak drives temperatures to unusually low levels, raising safety concerns and the risk of damage to rail equipment.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The disruptions are expected to last through at least Sunday, January 25, 2026. Winter Storm Fern is bringing record-breaking cold, heavy snowfall, freezing rain, and dangerous wind chills from the Rocky Mountains through the Upper Midwest and into the Mid-Atlantic. Amtrak said it acted “out of an abundance of caution” after consulting contract meteorologists, host freight railroads, and emergency management partners.

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Amtrak service cancellations: major routes affected

The storm’s reach is showing up directly on the timetable. Several long-distance and corridor routes have been suspended, modified, or partially canceled, as summarized by Railway Supply.

• Empire Builder (Trains 7/27 and 8/28): Fully canceled from January 21 through January 24, affecting service between Chicago, the Twin Cities, the Pacific Northwest, and major stops across North Dakota and Montana.
• Texas Eagle (Trains 21 and 22): Suspended between Chicago and San Antonio.
• City of New Orleans (Trains 58 and 59): Canceled January 22 through January 24.
• The Floridian (Trains 40 and 41): Canceled January 22 and 23.
• Regional and corridor services: Including the Borealis, Lake Shore Limited, and Heartland Flyer, with delays, partial cancellations, or schedule modifications.

Chicago, the nation’s busiest passenger rail hub, has been especially hard hit, with ripple effects extending into the Upper Midwest, Great Plains, and Southeast.

Extreme cold impact on rail systems

Railroads are built to operate in winter, but prolonged sub-zero temperatures can push infrastructure beyond normal tolerances and create risks that build over time.

One of the central issues is steel rail contraction. As temperatures fall, rails shrink and internal stress rises, increasing the odds of “pull-aparts” or small fractures that can lead to derailments if they go undetected. During cold snaps, railroads step up inspections and use ultrasonic testing, though the risk grows when temperatures stay below zero for extended periods.

Frozen switches and track points can be just as disruptive. Even with electric or gas heaters, ice can infiltrate moving parts and prevent a switch from locking properly. If the switch cannot be verified as secure, trains cannot legally or safely pass.

On electrified routes, overhead catenary systems have their own weak points. Cold can tighten power lines and raise tension on supporting hardware, while freezing rain can coat wires in ice and interfere with the pantograph, triggering arcing or power loss.

Amtrak also pointed to the threat of air brake system failures in extreme cold. Passenger trains rely on compressed air, and moisture in air lines can freeze and restrict airflow—an unacceptable braking risk under passenger-service conditions.

Passenger safety, refunds, and rebooking

Amtrak emphasized that the most serious danger in Arctic conditions is not delay, but immobilization. A disabled train in a remote area—whether from frozen infrastructure, power issues, or a downed tree—can leave hundreds of passengers exposed to life-threatening cold while emergency crews work to reach the site. In these temperatures, even short evacuations can become medical emergencies.

For impacted travelers, Amtrak is waiving change fees and offering full refunds for canceled trains, while encouraging passengers to rebook later in the week as conditions improve. Riders are also advised to follow real-time updates through Amtrak Service Alerts & Notices and the operator’s mobile app.

Transportation analysts note that rail disruptions are unfolding alongside broader system strain, with airlines canceling thousands of flights nationwide due to the same storm—limiting alternatives for travelers attempting to reroute, as noted by Trains.com—as Winter Storm Fern continues to dominate the forecast.

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