Amtrak restores train service on Borealis, Hiawatha, Cascades routes

All Amtrak trains on the Borealis, Hiawatha and Amtrak Cascades routes have been restored and are operating on schedule, Amtrak announced yesterday.

The announcement follows Amtrak's decision less than two weeks ago to pull 70 Horizon rail cars from those routes and the Downeaster after routine inspections uncovered corrosion. Amtrak decided to remove the equipment from service after learning of additional areas of concern from intensive inspections of multiple cars. As a result, Amtrak substituted train service with buses and/or operated trains with fewer cars.

Today, each replacement train is operating with a limited number of cars, Amtrak officials said in a press release. For a guaranteed seat, railroad officials encourage riders to book early.

Hiawatha trains were operating without bus substitution as of April 4. Daily train service between St. Paul and Chicago by the Borealis line was restored the previous week. Amtrak Cascades service was restored yesterday, railroad officials said.