News outlets and late night hosts all over the country pointed to the practice of setting train tracks afire to keep from cold weather damage and lots of folks had a good laugh over it, but the extreme cold can play havoc with a train’s stability and passenger comforts, so even Amtrak got into the act canceling Michigan trains into and out of Chicago for Wednesday and Thursday, January 30th and 31st.
Amtrak officials say that all trips in Michigan are halted until tomorrow, Friday, February 1st.
Amtrak said, “Customers with reservations on trains that are being modified will typically be accommodated on trains with similar departure times or another day.” They added, “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.”
The shutdown means that the Pere Marquette service which runs from Grand Rapids through Holland, Bangor and St. Joseph on the way to Chicago is suspended until Friday, as are trains that route through Niles and New Buffalo on other service routes.
The eliminations yesterday and today will result in what would have been 55 trains a day to and from Chicago into and out of Michigan. The Amtrak officials noted, too, “this information is subject to change as conditions warrant.”
Extreme cold and heavy snows have played havoc in Michigan’s Great Southwest with many schedules from factories to schools, from churches and other organizations to service providers, retailers and hospitality businesses. Stay tuned.
