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Why is Amtrak not going to Montreal?

Amtrak rail partner Canadian National (CN) has implemented reduced speed regulations in Canada due to heat, impacting the Amtrak Adirondack route. Trains 68 and 69 will originate and terminate in Albany, NY until further notice.”



As of early 2026, the Amtrak Adirondack service to Montreal has been subject to intermittent suspensions and speed restrictions primarily due to track maintenance and heat-related safety issues on the Canadian side of the border. The tracks north of the border are owned by Canadian National Railway (CN), which implements strict speed restrictions (as low as 10 mph) when temperatures exceed 30°C (86°F) to prevent "heat kinks" or track warping. These delays became so severe in 2023 and 2024 that Amtrak frequently chose to truncate the service at Albany or Saratoga Springs rather than subject passengers to a 12-hour journey. Furthermore, there have been ongoing discussions regarding U.S. Customs pre-clearance at Montreal Central Station; currently, the train must stop at the border for a lengthy, manual immigration process that can take up to two hours. While both governments are investing in track upgrades and better border facilities, the combination of old infrastructure and the logistical "middleman" of a private freight railroad owner continues to make the New York-to-Montreal route a seasonal challenge for Amtrak.

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The train, which is meant to run between New York City and Montreal, reopened in April after being closed for three years due to the pandemic. According to a June 26 report from local news outlet WPTZ, the closure is due to Canadian regulations surrounding high temperatures.

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In fiscal year 2022, Amtrak served 22.9 million passengers. That figure was down ten million from 2019 when 33 million people rode Amtrak, a 30% decline.

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If you don't fancy driving or don't plan to rent a car, other options for traveling between Toronto and Montreal include by plane, by train, and by bus. Flying is undoubtedly the fastest option, but it can be the most expensive one. The bus is the most economical but takes the longest.

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