Amtrak and Union Pacific Reach Agreement on 5-Mile Louisiana Track Segment

The deal allows Amtrak to reroute its Sunset Limited train on Union Pacific-owned rails near Avondale.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 6:49pm

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Amtrak and Union Pacific have reached an agreement that will allow Amtrak to reroute its Sunset Limited train onto a 5-mile segment of Union Pacific-owned track near Avondale, Louisiana. The move comes after Amtrak previously called for federal regulators to investigate Union Pacific over delays caused by freight trains on the New Orleans-to-Los Angeles route.

Why it matters

The agreement represents a step forward in the ongoing collaboration between Amtrak and freight rail operators to improve passenger rail service and on-time performance. It also highlights the complex dynamics between passenger and freight rail networks, which have faced increasing scrutiny from regulators.

The details

Under the new agreement, Amtrak will be able to reroute its Sunset Limited train onto a 5-mile segment of Union Pacific-owned track near Avondale, Louisiana. This move comes after Amtrak previously called for federal regulators to investigate Union Pacific over delays caused by freight trains on the 1,997-mile New Orleans-to-Los Angeles route. In 2022, Amtrak gave Union Pacific an 'F' grade in its 'Host Railroad Report Card', with Canadian Pacific receiving the only 'A+' grade.

  • In late 2022, Amtrak called for federal regulators to investigate Union Pacific over Amtrak delays.
  • In 2023, the Surface Transportation Board began a first-of-its-kind investigation into the issue.
  • In August 2023, Amtrak and Union Pacific reported a settlement regarding customer on-time performance for Sunset Limited service, and the STB closed its investigation.

The players

Amtrak

The national passenger railroad company of the United States.

Union Pacific

One of the largest freight railroad operators in North America, owning the track segment that Amtrak will now be able to use.

Jennifer Mitchell

Amtrak Executive Vice President, Strategy, Planning and Accessibility.

Surface Transportation Board (STB)

The federal agency that regulates the railroad industry, including investigating disputes between passenger and freight rail operators.

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What they’re saying

“We are grateful to have reached this agreement with Union Pacific. Both Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have shown a strong commitment to quality Amtrak passenger rail service.”

— Jennifer Mitchell, Amtrak Executive Vice President, Strategy, Planning and Accessibility

“The Sunset Route is a critical Union Pacific artery, carrying freight trains with consumer goods between the West Coast ports and Texas, as well as passengers. It is essential that Union Pacific and Amtrak collaborate to design a schedule that is reasonable and achievable.”

— Union Pacific Spokeswoman

What’s next

The Surface Transportation Board will continue to monitor the collaboration between Amtrak and Union Pacific, as well as the proposed $71.5 billion merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, which the STB said in January 2024 had an incomplete merger application.

The takeaway

This agreement represents progress in the ongoing efforts to improve passenger rail service and on-time performance, though challenges remain in balancing the needs of both passenger and freight rail networks. The involvement of federal regulators underscores the complex dynamics at play in the railroad industry.