Amtrak train delays are too much. We give up on taking Amtrak.

[Anonymous]

I do wish our trains were more like European trains but it’s odd she has such frequent, long delays. What’s the origin? The biggest delay I’ve had was about 35 min, but I only take it dc to nyc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hmm, we rode this week to NY and back with no delays or issues.

South of DC is where the problem lies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I gave up on Amtrak to NY and now I just the Vamoose or Gold bus.

Yes, the notably delay free I-95 corridor between DC and NYC. Smart move.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think those of us who only take the Acela to nyc and back have a very good sense of the whole system.

[Anonymous]

It is usually within ten or twenty minutes.

I was delayed four hours. The train had hit and killed a man.

[Anonymous]

I’ve taken Amtrak very frequently between both DC & NY and between DC and Charlottesville, both on the Acela and non-Acela. Have definitely experienced significantly more delays on the non-Acela—would agree with OP that they are fairly frequent.

[Anonymous]

Is she coming from the south? If so, she needs to make sure to ride the NE regional train, not one of the long haul trains. The NE regional has much better on time performance than the long hauls. The train might still get caught up by CSX but delay overall is less likely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which train are you taking? I take Amtrak to Richmond about once every couple of months, and I've found that booking the NE regional is much better than the Palmetto, I'm assuming because the Palmetto's route is much longer and therefore has more room for error.

This right here. Do not take any of the named trains (Palmetto, Cardinal, etc). You need to make sure you’re booking the NE Regional.

[Anonymous]

Yes, my son is in college in Philly and Amtrack is a PITA..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I gave up on Amtrak to NY and now I just the Vamoose or Gold bus.

How does this work out? Does it usually get to NYC in a reasonable time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She needs a car. Why is her transport on you?

Totally unrelated to the topic at hand

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She needs a car. Why is her transport on you?

No, this country needs a reliable public transport system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I take the Acela pretty frequently to and from NYC and rarely have delays, but maybe Amtrak prioritizes keeping the Acela on time?

They do prioritize Acela.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hmm, we rode this week to NY and back with no delays or issues.

They are not usually very delayed. OP sounds a little melodramatic.

Took Amtrak once to Philadelphia last year. Train delayed 3 hours on the return to Union station because the Amtrak train on an earlier schedule was stalled on the tracks near NYC. Was better off driving in hindsight. Not planning to take Amtrak again

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hmm, we rode this week to NY and back with no delays or issues.

South of DC is where the problem lies.

This. Amtrak north of DC is a different beast: more rails, different cargo / passenger markets.