How have Virginia railways been affected by dangerous snow, ice storm?

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- After a dangerous snow and ice storm swept through the Commonwealth over the weekend, extreme cold and rapid temperature changes are continuing to impact rail infrastructure, according to rail officials.

Some snow came to the region around dinnertime on Saturday, Jan. 24, before turning into sleet and freezing rain in the early morning hours of Sunday, Jan. 25. That freezing rain quickly turned into ice, creating hazardous conditions in local neighborhoods -- and for railways.

Man found dead under Richmond walkway during below-freezing weather

Amtrak

Though the weekend storm has passed, Amtrak said its teams are working diligently to restore service to normal operations.

A spokesperson with Amtrak said service impacts are expected to continue through, and possibly include, Thursday, Jan. 29.

"As recovery efforts progress, customers may experience delays, and additional service adjustments or cancellations may still be necessary," the spokesperson said.

The railway company is collaborating with its host railroads and local agencies to actively inspect tracks, equipment and infrastructure before safely resuming normal service.

Why aren’t Virginia’s roads being cleared quickly after snow, ice storm?

"The safety of our customers and team members remains our highest priority," an Amtrak spokesperson said. "These proactive measures help limit exposure to hazardous conditions, protect our equipment, and support guidance from state and local authorities advising limited travel during and after the storm."

Customers may rebook or request refunds without penalties on Amtrak.com, through the Amtrak mobile app or by calling our Care Center at 1‑800‑USA‑RAIL.

For the most up‑to‑date information, customers are encouraged to check the Amtrak mobile app or visit Amtrak's website for current train status.

Number of crashes dropping after weekend winter storm, VSP says

CSX

According to a CSX spokesperson, the railway company uses established, industry-standard maintenance techniques to safely address cold-weather rail conditions when they occur.

In some cases, controlled heat may be applied to the rail so crews can safely complete required repairs and restore normal operations, per the spokesperson.

With below-freezing temperatures and single-digit overnight lows, Virginians should expect prolonged exposure to the cold.

How to safely thaw frozen pipes during prolonged cold weather: VDEM

CSX increases track inspections and monitors conditions to identify and address any cold-weather-related defects as quickly as possible.

"Safety is always our top priority, and required maintenance is completed before trains resume normal operations," the spokesperson said.

The railway company continues to monitor weather conditions as much of the eastern U.S., including Virginia, prepares for the potential of another snowstorm this weekend.

The spokesperson said customers have received operational updates and are prepared for any potential delays amid the cold weather.