CHICAGO — Amtrak has canceled several long-distance trains in and out of Chicago for multiple days because of a forecast of extreme cold weather. The regional Borealis is also affected. The first cancellations begin today (Wednesday, Jan. 21).
The eastbound and westbound Empire Builder departures slated for today through Saturday, Jan. 24, have been canceled. Beginning Thursday, Jan. 22, the City of New Orleans and Texas Eagle are canceled in both directions, also through Saturday. The Texas Eagle through service scheduled to depart Los Angeles on Jan. 21 and 23 will terminate in San Antonio, while the through service scheduled to leave Chicago on Jan. 23 will originate in San Antonio.
Canceled Jan. 22 and 23 are both directions of the Chicago-Twin Cities Borealis. No other regional service has been canceled as of this morning.
“Out of an abundance of caution, and in consultation with our contract meteorologists, host railroads, and local officials, Amtrak is notifying customers of service cancellations due to predicted dangerous weather conditions,” the railroad said in a statement. “Customers are being offered rebooking options and refunds without penalties.
“The safety of our customers and our team members remains our highest priority. We are taking these proactive steps to limit exposure to hazardous conditions for our customers and team members and to protect our rail equipment. We are also aligning with and supporting state and local authorities who are advising the public to avoid travel during this winter storm.”
The National Weather Service is predicting that low-pressure systems arriving in the Great Lakes region beginning tonight will bring extreme cold and major lake-effect snow downwind of the Great Lakes. Wind chills could fall below minus-50 degrees in the Northern Plains and up to 2 feet of snow could fall downwind of Lake Ontario. The Chicago-area forecast includes Friday highs ranging from 3 degrees to minus-5 and lows of minus-5 to minus-14, with wind chills as low as minus-35.
Amtrak explains how it addresses extreme winter weather at this page on its website.
In unrelated moves, canceled today because of equipment issues are Lincoln Service train No. 302 between St. Louis and Chicago, and two Wolverine trains: No. 350 between Chicago and Pontiac, and No. 355 between Pontiac and Chicago.
In the Northeast, Amtrak says it is “closely monitoring” the path of the storm and service adjustments may be necessary.
— To report news or errors, contact trainsnewswire@firecrown.com.
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