Re today’s train 20, the Crescent from New Orleans to New York:
Itinerary Change: As of 6:08 AM CT, Due to the removal of a defective coach car which will cause oversold conditions, please self modify or rebook your travel for the next available travel day.
I don’t think AI is ready for prime time.
No citation?
“Itinerary Change 6:08 AM: your coach car will be diverted to the maintenance yard arriving at your destination approximately 72 hrs 0.01666667 minutes late.
ONE seat remains available aboard your original booked train which is currently due to depart May –26 2038: please self-modify your career plans in order that valid qualified driver certification may be shown.”
I didn’t think it was necessary.
Amtrak sends notifications of delayed trains to your phone or e-mail address. You have to sign up for them on Amtrak’s website.
I’ve only ridden Amtrak a couple of times, but I am kinda impressed that they booked enough travel on a long haul train that they can’t even accommodate losing one coach car.
Unfortunately, they are probably going to be losing rolling stock at an increasing rate for at least the next four years. I can’t see the Grifting Odious Party giving Amtrak even enough money to maintain status quo.
moarscienceplz:
Amtrak actually has bi-partisan support. Presidents generally zero-out Amtrak in their budgets, and Congress puts the money back. Even congresscritters from red states support it if there’s an Amtrak train running through their state. I found no mention of Amtrak in Project2025, so it’s probably not even on the radar.
Amtrak is short on rolling stock, but mostly due to deep cuts during COVID. They laid off lots of skilled maintenance workers and, IIUC, still haven’t hired them all back. There certainly aren’t enough cars in good repair to keep spares sitting around.