Amtrak Restores Upstate New York Service Just in Time for the Holidays

Finally, Amtrak has agreed to restore Empire Service trains just in time for holiday travelers. Construction in New York City had halted some of the services.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that most of the suspended Empire Service trains will return starting December 2nd. On November 11th, the trains were cut back in the Hudson Valley to allow for construction on the East River Tunnel in New York City, temporarily closing two of the tunnel’s tubes.

These Amtrak trains and routes will be restored, and extra cars are being added to accommodate travelers on the most popular lines. There will be less layovers because Amtrak is separating the Adirondack and Maple Leaf trains from New York City to Albany-Renssalaer. This schedule will remain in effect until March.

The $1.6 billion East River Tunnel project is fixing damage caused by Superstorm Sandy back in 2012. The goal is to modernize the aging infrastructure and make Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor more reliable. These repairs are expected to take about three years.

While the work was underway, Amtrak had to cut two daily round trips and combine the Adirondack and Maple Leaf lines. This left passengers, especially those traveling through the Capital Region, dealing with long waits at Rensselaer Rail Station.

With the trains coming back, it’s a big step toward smoother travel for everyone. If you’re planning a trip, mark December 2nd on your calendar.