Settlement Reached Over Sunset Limited Performance Issues

Amtrak and Union Pacific have resolved their long-running dispute regarding the Sunset Limited, leading Amtrak to request that the STB end its investigation into the train’s on-time performance. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Amtrak and Union Pacific Reach Deal on Sunset Limited

The companies finalized a settlement after nearly two years of legal and procedural back-and-forth. Amtrak filed a formal motion on July 31 to dismiss the case, emphasizing that Union Pacific agreed to performance standards and repercussions if targets aren’t met.

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Union Pacific also pledged ongoing employee training focused on federal responsibilities to Amtrak. Both parties jointly confirmed these changes in a public statement issued on August 1.

The dispute stemmed from severe delays on the Sunset Limited, which at times had quarterly on-time performance as low as 7%. Amtrak blamed Union Pacific’s management decisions for violating Amtrak’s legal right to train priority.

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The case was the first filed under the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, requiring the STB to create a new two-step framework. The first phase investigated whether Amtrak was denied operational preference, while the second would have addressed penalties.

Though Union Pacific and Amtrak found common ground, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) declined to endorse the dismissal. CPKC stated it couldn’t agree to terms that were kept confidential, even though it didn’t oppose closing the case.

Other host railroads involved in the Sunset Limited route—such as BNSF, Canadian National, Metrolink, and the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad—remained part of the STB process but played lesser roles.

Amtrak praised the STB and Union Pacific for their collaboration, noting that this outcome demonstrates how constructive dialogue can improve passenger service performance without escalating penalties.

This resolution may now serve as a model for future disputes between Amtrak and host railroads over long-distance train reliability.

Source: www.trains.com

FAQ

What is the Sunset Limited train?

The Sunset Limited is a long-distance Amtrak service running between New Orleans and Los Angeles. It has faced ongoing delays due to freight rail interference.

Why did Amtrak file a case about the Sunset Limited?

Amtrak filed the complaint in 2022 because the Sunset Limited had extremely poor on-time performance, which it attributed to Union Pacific’s operational practices.

Has the Sunset Limited case been fully resolved?

Yes, Amtrak and Union Pacific reached a confidential settlement and requested that the STB officially close the case. More details are available in their joint statement.

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