Amtrak Faces Delays and Weather Woes in March 2025

Amtrak Faces Mechanical Issues and Weather Challenges. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Amtrak faces major disruptions as mechanical issues and storms hit hard this week. Buses now replace trains between Seattle and Eugene due to equipment shortages.

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Meanwhile, a fierce Nebraska blizzard strands the eastbound California Zephyr on March 19. High winds and heavy snow block tracks, forcing the train to retreat.

Amtrak Cancels Cascades Runs Amid Maintenance Struggles

In the Pacific Northwest, the company cancels four Cascades runs due to ongoing woes. Trains Nos. 503 and 508 switch to buses on March 17 and 19.

Equipment shortages stem from a storm-damaged Talgo trainset still awaiting repairs. Last November, a tree impaled its cab car, sidelining the Oregon-owned unit.

Additionally, the rail service relies on aging Horizon coaches after ending Talgo’s contract. Washington State scraps Series VI trainsets, delaying upgrades until Siemens Aero arrives in 2026.

Maintenance crews from Los Angeles assist Seattle’s overtaxed facility to address delays. Sound Transit’s Sounder service also suffers from documentation issues, straining resources further.

Consequently, Horizon coach availability drops from 29 to 25 cars by March 20. Seven trainsets shrink to six, highlighting the rail operator’s operational challenges this month.

In Nebraska, the California Zephyr halts at Exeter amid a severe snowstorm on March 19. BNSF deploys a rotary plow from Lincoln to clear the snow-clogged tracks.

Rescue locomotives tow the stranded train back to Hastings later that day. Passengers choose between hotel stays or returning to Denver on the train.

At Denver, crews couple the delayed Zephyr with the next day’s eastbound train. Four P42 locomotives lead the combined consist to Chicago, arriving March 21.

Despite cancellations of March 19 and 20 Zephyr runs, service resumes normally now. Winter’s final blast proves no match for the company’s recovery efforts this week.

Elsewhere, the City of New Orleans and Saluki face delays over the weekend. Both trains arrive in Chicago together, hours behind schedule on Sunday afternoon.

Delays begin Saturday night between Marks, Mississippi, and Memphis, costing two hours. Further setbacks at Memphis and Carbondale, Illinois, add more time to the journey.

In Carbondale, the City waits five hours before coupling with the Saluki train. The paired trains depart at 12:20 p.m., reaching Chicago late on March 23.

Amtrak Adapts to Leadership and Operational Shifts

Reasons for the eight- and five-hour delays remain unclear as investigations continue. The rail service works to restore reliability across its network amid these disruptions.

This week also marks a leadership shakeup with CEO Gardner’s resignation on March 19. Operational struggles compound as the company navigates mechanical and weather-related hurdles.

Nevertheless, the rail operator adapts by deploying buses and rescue trains to maintain service. The company pushes forward, aiming for stability as new equipment looms in 2026.

Source: www.trains.com

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