Interesting! Your link suggests that legally passenger trains are
supposed to have priority, but that in practice freight trains are given priority.
I didn't know this, and it makes me even madder! But as far as an explanation for why Amtrak trains are so often delayed (which is how it appeared in OP?), it appears to be correct that it's because freight trains are given priority. It's just that... they're not supposed to be, right?
At least according to Amtrak? I wonder if anyone has a third-party analysis of what's going on? I'm surprised I've never heard this before, thank you for bringing it up.
> The leading cause of delay to Amtrak passengers is “freight train interference”...
> ...Myth: “Amtrak already has the highest priority of all trains on freight rail lines.”
> Truth: Freight trains represent the largest cause of delay to passengers.
I didn't know this, and it makes me even madder! But as far as an explanation for why Amtrak trains are so often delayed (which is how it appeared in OP?), it appears to be correct that it's because freight trains are given priority. It's just that... they're not supposed to be, right?
At least according to Amtrak? I wonder if anyone has a third-party analysis of what's going on? I'm surprised I've never heard this before, thank you for bringing it up.
> The leading cause of delay to Amtrak passengers is “freight train interference”...
> ...Myth: “Amtrak already has the highest priority of all trains on freight rail lines.”
> Truth: Freight trains represent the largest cause of delay to passengers.