Amtrak announced cancellations of all long-distance train routes this week ahead of a nationwide railroad strike that could begin as soon as Friday.
BNSF, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific announced embargoes on certain shipments earlier this week as negotiations continue with multiple rail unions. Amtrak, whose employees are not involved with the negotiations, operates largely on track maintained and dispatched by freight companies.
Amtrak is “hopeful that parties will reach a resolution,” although the company “has now begun phased adjustments to our service in preparation for a possible freight rail service interruption later this week,” according to a statement provided to Reuters.
Trains servicing Seattle, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, San Antonio, New Orleans, San Francisco, and other major cities are subject to cancellation. Amtrak will only operate trains this week if they “will have enough time to reach their final destinations” before Friday.
