Delayed by Freight
Measuring On-Time Performance Across Our Network
Delayed by Freight
Measuring On-Time Performance Across Our Network
Updated June 2025
What are Freight Train Interference Delays?
Waiting for freight trains is the largest cause of delay to passengers.
Freight train interference — a dispatching decision made by a freight railroad to delay Amtrak passengers so that freight trains can operate first — caused 850,000 minutes of delay in 2024.
Freight train interference happens because some freight railroads ignore the law.
For over 50 years, freight railroads have been required by law to provide Amtrak with “preference” to run passenger trains ahead of freight trains. However, many freight railroads ignore the law because it is extremely difficult for Amtrak to enforce it, and as a result, people and the American economy suffer.
Long Distance On-Time Performance Struggles in 2024
The on-time performance of all long-distance routes in 2024 has not met the FRA's 80% on-time standard.
| Percentage of On-Time Customers by Route – 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| City of New Orleans |
Chicago – Memphis – New Orleans |
CN | 79% |
| Lake Shore Limited |
New York/Boston – Albany – Chicago |
CSX, NS |
75% |
| Crescent |
New Orleans – Atlanta – Charlotte – Washington, DC – New York |
NS | 62% |
| Sunset Limited |
Los Angeles – Tucson – San Antonio – Houston – New Orleans |
BNSF, UP | 61% |
| Palmetto | New York – Washington, DC – Charleston – Savannah | CSX | 60% |
| Texas Eagle |
Chicago – St. Louis – Dallas – San Antonio – Los Angeles |
BNSF, UP, CN | 56% |
| Cardinal |
New York – Washington, DC – Charlottesville – Cincinnati – Indianapolis – Chicago |
NS, CSX |
55% |
| Empire Builder | Portland/Seattle – Havre – St. Paul – Milwaukee – Chicago | BNSF, CPKC | 55% |
| Coast Starlight |
Seattle – Portland – Sacramento – Los Angeles |
BNSF, UP | 53% |
| California Zephyr | Emeryville – Reno – Denver – Omaha – Chicago | BNSF, UP | 51% |
| Auto Train |
Orlando – Washington, DC |
CSX |
48% |
| Silver Meteor | New York – Washington, DC – Charleston – Savannah – Jacksonville – Orlando – Tampa/Miami | CSX | 42% |
| Floridian | Chicago – Pittsburgh – Washington, DC – Savannah – Tampa/Miami | CSX, NS | 36% |
| Southwest Chief | Los Angeles – Flagstaff – Albuquerque – Newton – Chicago | BNSF | 33% |
Who is Delaying Amtrak Passengers?
The Host Railroad Report Card grades the largest freight railroad hosts based on the delays that Amtrak customers experience while traveling on host tracks. Each Amtrak route that travels on host railroads is also awarded a pass/fail grade based on how often customers arrive on time.
The Host Railroad Report Card includes FAQs on why Amtrak trains are delayed by freight trains.
Who is Delaying Amtrak Passengers?
The Host Railroad Report Card grades the largest freight railroad hosts based on the delays that Amtrak customers experience while traveling on host tracks. Each Amtrak route that travels on host railroads is also awarded a pass/fail grade based on how often customers arrive on time.
The Host Railroad Report Card includes FAQs on why Amtrak trains are delayed by freight trains.
Delay Alerts: Trains outside the Northeast | Trains in the Northeast | Pacific Surfliner | Capitol Corridor | San Joaquins | Service Alerts and Notices
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