While weather-related travel delays are typically limited to the winter, Amtrak service can be disrupted during the summer due to record-high heat across the United States.
“High temperatures during the warmer summer months can impact Amtrak operations. Extreme heat can cause tracks, bridges and overhead wires to expand,” Amtrak said in a recent statement. “As a precautionary measure, Amtrak may issue heat restrictions that force train drivers to operate trains at lower speeds, resulting in possible delays.”
Here you can find out everything you need to know about the Amtrak train delay
When delays occur, the railroad accounts for their respective routes, including the Northeast Regional Line, post announcements on X with important information for travelers.
In addition to the social media posts, Deutsche Bahn recommends that passengers sign up for delay alerts when booking their train journey. This is the quickest way to find out if a train is affected by heat or other delays.
Amtrak’s website and mobile app also inform customers of a train’s status and departure times. When notifying passengers, Amtrak says the train is delayed due to “heat-related speed restrictions.”
“Extreme temperature changes pose a challenge for steel rails. Climate change is bringing higher temperatures to many regions,” the Association of American Railroads said. The industry group says it is investing in new railroad technologies that could help prevent future slowdowns caused by heat and sun.
Rail travel is increasing: In 2023, over 28 million passengers will travel on Amtrak, a 24 percent increase over 2022. Amtrak recommends booking tickets as early as possible to get the lowest prices, and passengers can book up to 11 months in advance.
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(Photo credit: Alessandra Amodio/Travel + Leisure)
This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com
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Written by
Michael Cappetta
