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Amtrak Restores Albany-NYC Trains, Canceling Metro North Expansion
Amtrak's return ends plans for Metro-North commuter rail expansion north of Poughkeepsie
Jan. 28, 2026 at 3:15pm
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Amtrak will restore full daily service between the Capital Region and New York City in early March, while the Metro-North commuter railroad expansion north of Poughkeepsie has been cancelled due to the return of Amtrak's Empire Service trains.
Why it matters
The restoration of Amtrak's Empire Service trains between Albany and New York City means commuters will have more options, but also ends plans for a Metro-North expansion that was intended to offset the Amtrak service reduction during tunnel repairs.
The details
Amtrak will restore three round-trip Empire Service trains between Albany and New York City that were cut to make way for repairs to the East River Tunnels. With Amtrak's trains returning, the state could not justify the Metro-North expansion north of Poughkeepsie, as Amtrak and freight carrier CSX control the tracks in that area.
- Amtrak will restore full daily service between the Capital Region and New York City in early March 2026.
- The Metro-North commuter railroad expansion north of Poughkeepsie has been cancelled.
The players
Amtrak
A passenger railroad service that operates intercity trains in the contiguous United States and to nine Canadian cities.
Metro-North
A commuter railroad serving the New York metropolitan area, operating service in New York and Connecticut.
Kathy Hochul
The Governor of New York.
CSX
A major American freight railroad company.
What they’re saying
“We did not voluntarily choose to not pursue this. This was a decision made by Amtrak.”
— Sean Butler, Deputy Communications Director
“We will soon be able to offer more Empire Service capacity than existed even before the tunnel work began last spring.”
— Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York
What’s next
The $16 billion Hudson Tunnel Project linking New Jersey and Manhattan will suspend construction on February 6 due to a federal funding freeze.
The takeaway
The restoration of Amtrak's Albany-NYC service means commuters will have more options, but also ends plans for a Metro-North expansion that was intended to offset the Amtrak service reduction during tunnel repairs.
