Norfolk Southern agrees to give Amtrak trains priority over freight trains, track delays: DOJ
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Norfolk Southern agreed to give Amtrak trains the highest priority after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a settlement with the railroad company Tuesday, to resolve claims about delayed Amtrak trains violating federal law.
On Tuesday, Sept. 9, the DOJ announced a settlement with Norfolk Southern Corporation and Norfolk Southern Railway Company -- which, together, make up Norfolk Southern -- to resolve allegations that the railroad company delayed Amtrak passenger trains on the Crescent Route in violation of federal law by failing to give Amtrak trains preference over freight trains.
“Americans traveling by train are entitled to trips free from delays caused by railroads failing to give Amtrak preference over freight trains,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.
“The settlement reached today, as well as Norfolk Southern’s improved performance on Amtrak’s Crescent Route, demonstrates the Department of Justice’s commitment to protecting everyday American train passengers.”
According to the DOJ, Norfolk Southern has agreed to give Amtrak trains the "highest priority" over freight trains and record delays for Amtrak trains traveling on the Crescent Route controlled by Norfolk Southern to the DOJ.
The Crescent Route, operated by Amtrak, is a 1,377-mile passenger line that stops at 33 cities and towns, including areas in Virginia.
Per the DOJ, it will also require supervisor approval for any dispatching decision that does not give priority to Amtrak trains in non-emergency situations.
This comes after the DOJ filed a lawsuit in July 2024, claiming Norfolk Southern is consistently violating the federal law that requires Amtrak’s trains to be prioritized when they cross a freight railroad’s tracks.
According to the DOJ, since the complaint was filed more than a year ago, passengers traveling the Crescent Route have "experienced widespread improvements."
The number of delay minutes due to Amtrak's Crescent trains has declined by 53% from 2024 to 2025, per the DOJ.
