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Amtrak cancels trains to/from Chicago due to extreme cold

Published  January 30, 2019 3:10pm CST
FOX 6 Now Milwaukee

CHICAGO -- Extreme weather conditions and an abundance of caution led Amtrak officials to cancel all train originations to and from Chicago for Wednesday, Jan. 30, including short-distance corridor trains and long-distance overnight trains.

In an update Wednesday afternoon, officials said the plan was to restore service with some trains on Thursday, and every train except one on Friday.

Officials noted Amtrak typically operates 55 trains daily, to and from the Chicago hub.

In a news release Wednesday afternoon, officials said all "Midwest corridor services" to and from Chicago would be canceled Thursday, including Chicago-Milwaukee Hiawatha service, downstate Illinois (Lincoln service/Carl Sandburg/Illinois Zephyr/Illini/Saluki) and Michigan (Wolverine service, Blue Water, Pere Marquette). Officials said most long-distance services to and from Chicago would resume on Thursday, including Chicago-Los Angeles (Southwest Chief), Chicago-San Francisco Bay (California Zephyr), Chicago-Seattle/Portland (Empire Builder), Chicago-San Antonio/Los Angeles (Texas Eagle) and Chicago-Washington (Capitol Limited).

Exceptions to the restoration of overnight trains on Jan. 31 were Chicago-New York/Boston (Lake Shore Limited) and Chicago-New York (Cardinal).

As for Friday, officials said "Midwest corridor services" to and from Chicago would be restored, including Chicago-Milwaukee (Hiawatha service), downstate Illinois (Lincoln service/Carl Sandburg/Illinois Zephyr/Illini/Saluki) except Train 390, Indiana (Hoosier State) and Michigan (Wolverine Service/Blue Water/Pere Marquette).

Remaining long-distance services to and from Chicago would resume Friday, including Chicago-New York/Boston (Lake Shore Limited) and Chicago-New York (Cardinal).

Anyone planning to travel should check their train status HERE or via the Amtrak apps.

Officials noted customers with reservations on trains that are being modified will typically be accommodated on trains with similar departure times or another day. Amtrak will gladly waive additional charges for customers looking to change their reservation during the modified schedule by calling our reservation center at 800-USA-RAIL.