CHICAGO — Amtrak’s cold-weather cancellations in the Midwest continue to mount, with the cancellations now extending into Thursday, Jan. 23 — seven days after the first trains were cancelled.
The newest cancellations, according to an update at 4:20 p.m. ET today (Jan. 21, 2025); an update on Thursday, Jan. 23 has added new information on bus transportation.
Today, Jan. 21:
— The Illinois Zephyr’s 5:55 p.m. departure from Chicago to Quincy, Ill.; Amtrak said it is “seeking alternate bus transportation.”
— Lincoln Service train No. 305, the 5:20 p.m. departure from Chicago for St. Louis. Again, Amtrak is seeking bus transportation.
Wednesday, Jan. 22:
— Hiawatha cancellations have expanded from two (southbound trains 330 and 332) to six: 330, 334 (an 11 a.m. departure from Milwaukee), 336 (the 1:05 p.m. departure from Milwaukee), 331 (the 8:25 a.m. departure from Chicago), 337 (the 3:15 p.m. departure from Chicago) and 341 (the 8:05 p.m. departure from Chicago). Bus transportation will be provided. No. 332 is now not listed as cancelled. This is the third different set of cancellations that have been announced, so confirming train status is highly recommended.
— Wolverine cancellations have increased from two (trains 351 and 353) to four, adding Chicago-Pontiac trains 352 (a 2:15 p.m. departure) and 354 (a 5:50 p.m. departure). Bus transportation is confirmed for trains 351 and 353, but is not offered for trains 352 and 354. Train 355 was also a late cancellation, with bus transportation provided.
— Lincoln Service No. 300 (the 4:30 a.m. departure from St. Louis to Chicago) is cancelled; bus transportation will be provided. Chicago-St. Louis No. 305 is also cancelled, with no bus transportation.
— Illinois Zephyr trains 380 (Quincy-Chicago, departing 6:12 a.m.) and 383 (Chicago-Quincy) are cancelled. Bus transportation will be provided for No. 380 but is not available for No. 383.
— Both directions of the Borealis. Eastbound No. 1340 had been cancelled earlier and bus transportation is being provided; westbound No. 1333 was a late addition in an update Jan. 22 at 10:40 a.m. ET, with no bus transportation.
— Sunset Limited: While not included in the service advisory, Amtrak’s website indicates train No. 1, scheduled to depart New Orleans this morning at 9 a.m., has also been cancelled.
Thursday, Jan. 23:
As of Thursday morning, the number of cancelled trains offering alternate bus transportation has expanded.
— Borealis No. 1340 (St. Paul-Chicago). Bus transportation will be provided.
— Milwaukee-Chicago Hiawatha trains 330 and 332. Bus transportation will be provided
— Pontiac-Chicago Wolverine trains 351 and 353. Bus transportation will be provided.
— Lincoln Service train 300; bus transportation will be provided.
— Quincy-Chicago Illinois Zephyr No. 380; bus transportation will be provided.
— The northbound City of New Orleans, train No. 58, between New Orleans and Memphis, Tenn.
According to Accuweather.com, Thursday’s forecasts in Chicago currently calls for a high of 22 degrees and a low of 7, while St. Paul, Minn., will have a high of 11 and a low of 1, Pontiac calls for 24 and 8, and St. Louis is forecast for a high of 29 and a low of 12.
Earlier News Wire cancellation stories, which include other trains cancelled today and Wednesday, are available here and here.
— Updated Jan. 22 at 7:15 a.m. CT to include Sunset Limited; updated at 1:20 p.m. with cancellation of westbound Borealis and status of bus transportation; updated Jan. 23 at 7:08 CT with new bus information and information on City of New Orleans.
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