Amtrak has announced that regular service has resumed across affected routes following the recent removal of Horizon railcars from operation.
Trains on the Borealis, Hiawatha, and Amtrak Cascades lines have now returned to schedule, less than two weeks after the disruption began.
The restored services are currently operating with a reduced number of carriages, and Amtrak is advising passengers to book tickets early to secure a guaranteed seat.
The disruption stemmed from a safety review that led to the withdrawal of the Horizon railcars. In a statement issued on 26 March, Amtrak said it had identified corrosion in several of the ageing vehicles during routine inspections conducted in accordance with federal safety regulations. Additional concerns emerged following more intensive checks, prompting the company to remove the affected units from service.
The impact was initially felt on four routes — the Downeaster, Hiawatha, Borealis, and Amtrak Cascades — with temporary reductions in service and train capacity.
The Horizon fleet, which dates back to the late 1980s and early 1990s, has long been a mainstay of Amtrak’s short-haul services in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest. The corrosion issue has renewed scrutiny of the age and condition of the national operator’s rolling stock, much of which is decades old.
With replacement carriages temporarily filling in, capacity remains limited. Passengers are being encouraged to plan ahead, especially on busy travel days, as Amtrak works to ensure reliable service while longer-term equipment solutions are explored.
Amtrak has not yet confirmed when full capacity will return.
