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Three Rivers Today
By the People, for the People
Rail Service Resumes After Coloma Track Repairs
CSX and Amtrak trains back on schedule following weekend washout near Michigan town.
Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:22pm
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The resilience of the regional rail network is tested as extreme weather events increasingly disrupt critical transportation infrastructure.Three Rivers TodayTrain service between Chicago and Grand Rapids has resumed after heavy rain caused a washout that forced a temporary shutdown of the tracks near Coloma, Michigan over the weekend. CSX crews worked quickly to repair the damaged section, allowing freight and Amtrak passenger trains to start running again on Monday afternoon, though at a reduced speed as additional reinforcement work continues.
Why it matters
The rail line through Coloma is a critical transportation link, carrying both freight and passenger trains between major Midwest hubs. The disruption caused delays and rerouting, underscoring the vulnerability of aging rail infrastructure to extreme weather events that are becoming more common.
The details
On Saturday, heavy rainfall washed away the ground beneath the tracks in Coloma, leaving sections suspended in mid-air and forcing CSX to halt all train traffic. Crews worked over the next two days to rebuild the track bed and test the repairs, allowing trains to resume service on Monday afternoon, though at a slower 10 mph speed as additional work is completed.
- The track washout occurred on Saturday, April 5, 2026.
- CSX crews reopened the line on Monday, April 7, 2026.
The players
CSX
A major American freight railroad company that owns and operates the rail line between Chicago and Grand Rapids.
Amtrak
The national passenger rail service that operates trains on the same tracks repaired by CSX.
Coloma
A small town in southwest Michigan where the track washout occurred, disrupting an important regional transportation link.
What’s next
Crews will continue monitoring the repaired section and completing additional reinforcement work to ensure the stability and safety of the rail line.
The takeaway
The Coloma track washout highlights the need for continued investment in maintaining and upgrading aging rail infrastructure, which is vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather events driven by climate change.
