CN Train Derailment in Mississippi Triggers Fire, Evacuation, and Amtrak Disruption

Berkshire Flyer commuters face unexpected disruption as Amtrak halts the route until January, and management blames a dangerous track void near Greenbush that threatens passenger safety and timetable reliability. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Berkshire Flyer Safety Repairs Begin

Engineers detected subsidence under the Hudson Line embankment in May, so they installed sensors, tracked movement daily, and recommended an immediate closure after June rains accelerated soil loss beneath critical sleepers.

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Contractors now excavate compromised ballast, inject high‑pressure grout, and lay geogrid reinforcement, because project leaders want the rebuilt section to support 79‑mph service and heavier winter snow loads without costly slow‑order restrictions.

Amtrak’s capital team estimates direct repair expenses at $9 million, and the carrier secured an emergency allocation from its $928 million federal grant, but further geotechnical surprises could lift final costs beyond initial contingencies.

Economic Impact of Berkshire Flyer Standstill

Pittsfield hoteliers already report a double‑digit drop in weekend bookings because rail visitors spend freely on downtown dining, museum tickets, and car‑free excursions, so local tourism officials regard reliable service as an economic lifeline.

The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission analyzed previous shutdowns and found each canceled train erased roughly $72,000 in visitor spending, yet continuing bus bridges captured only one‑third of that value because journey times increased by 45 minutes.

Local legislators lobbied the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to accelerate permitting, and they requested freight‑rail cooperation, but both agencies insist environmental reviews must confirm that grouting will not redirect groundwater toward wetlands.

Meanwhile, seasoned rail travelers weigh alternatives, and some choose the Metro‑North‑to‑bus combination, while others postpone trips entirely, so business leaders fear brand erosion if confidence in the corridor erodes through another peak season.

Source, photo: www.iberkshires.com

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