Amtrak, Union Pacific in Agreement for 5-Mile Track Segment Use in Louisiana

By Josh Beckerman

Under an agreement with Union Pacific, Amtrak is rerouting the Sunset Limited train onto a 5-mile segment of Union Pacific-owned track near Avondale, La.

"We are grateful to have reached this agreement with Union Pacific. Both Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have shown a strong commitment to quality Amtrak passenger rail service," said Amtrak Executive Vice President, Strategy, Planning and Accessibility Jennifer Mitchell in a joint press release.

In late 2022, Amtrak called for federal regulators to investigate Union Pacific over Amtrak delays caused by freight trains on the 1,997-mile New Orleans-to-Los Angeles route.

In a "Host Railroad Report Card" for 2022, Amtrak gave Union Pacific an F, with the only A+ grade going to Canadian Pacific.

In 2023, the Surface Transportation Board began what it called a first-of-its-kind investigation.

A Union Pacific spokeswoman said in December 2022 that "the Sunset Route is a critical Union Pacific artery, carrying freight trains with consumer goods between the West Coast ports and Texas, as well as passengers" and said "It is essential that Union Pacific and Amtrak collaborate to design a schedule that is reasonable and achievable."

In August, Amtrak and Union Pacific reported a settlement regarding customer on-time performance for Sunset Limited service and the STB closed its investigation.

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern announced a proposed $71.5 billion merger in July. In January, the STB said the merger application was incomplete.

Write to Josh Beckerman at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

04-01-26 1504ET