Will this bad weather delay Amtrak trains going upstate from NYC?

Question

So, a winter storm is a brewing. I'm planning on take the Amtrak from Penn Station to Vermont today. I don't know how well the train handles a storm like this. Anyone know?

Answer 1

i am in the same boat as you only i will be taking the train from jersey to boston. is there any way to find out about delays ahead of time?

Answer 2

Storms themselves dont do much to trains unless it is truly horrible, I have frequently gone through a foot or more of snow without any problems.

What can delay trains is if the power is out and the railroad signals and communication system is down, or when the snow packs into the switch mechanisms and trains cannot change from one track to another as efficiently as normal.

I work freight service, and I can promise you that passenger trains get priority, at least where I work. That doesnt mean you wont be delayed, sometimes it is truly impossible to get all the trains out of the way but they really do try.

Trains are quite safe to travel on during bad weather, it has to truly be a monumental blizzard to stall the train itself, I have seen it happen but you are better off in a train than on the roads.

Good Luck

Answer 3

The trains should be able to get through in most winter storms. However once the snow level passes 3-5 inches there may be delays.

Freight trains are given the right of way over passenger trains and in inclement weather you may find yourself sitting on a siding waiting for orange juice to pass.

You should ask the ticket agent when you check in and find out about any delays at that time.

Or you can check in advance at: www.amtrak.com

Answer 4

They're mostly impervious to weather.  When the Denver airport was closed last Christmas, Amtrak was on time.

I would be surprised to see AC power outages mess up a signal, as they all have long-life battery backups, and many of them aren't even connected to AC power, they charge with solar panels.

Best I know they do not slow down in thick snow.  They want to keep speed up so their snowplows do their job better.  They may slow down in extreme cold, because the risk of a track defect is somewhat greater.

Answer 5

i don;t think so this is well used track and if it was blocked it would slow the rail traffic on the northest section of amtrak and other rail links