Connecting New York City with Montreal, the Adirondack is one of Amtrak’s most scenic trains. Operating since 1974, it was suspended during the pandemic, resuming in April 2023. The train runs along the publicly owned Hudson Line to Schenectady where it switches to CPKC freight railroad track. After entering Canada, it switches to lightly used Canadian National (CN) track.
The Adirondack spends more than an hour waiting to clear customs when crossing the US-Canadian border. There has been strong interest in eliminating that stop by allowing passengers to pre-clear customs in Montreal instead and although both countries have had an agreement in place since 2019, the pre-clearance facility lacks funding for construction in Montreal. Given the complexities and uncertainty around federal grants, New York State should immediately fund construction of the facility.
During the three year suspension during the pandemic, CN declined to performance track maintenance and conditions deteriorated, forcing trains to travel the 49 miles in more than four hours. For two summers, trains were suspended to allow track repairs but even after completion, the train still takes more than 3:30. New York State should fund track reconstruction to allow speeds up to 110 mph, taking advantage of large straight segments and Canada’s more flexible grade crossing and train speed requirements. Combined with preclearance, this project would reduce travel times from 3:30 hours to 0:45.
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| Adirondack train alongside Lake Champlain |
The CPKC track has changed little since the Adirondack’s 1974 start date. The track winds around tight corners, in some places, cliffside along Lake Champlain. Two decades ago, a state study found track upgrades allowing for 79 mph top speeds and angling rails on curves would allow for a 3:30 travel time from Schenectady to Rouses Point, a hour reduction from travel time today (S4 on page S-13). At the same time, additional passing sidings should be added increase the line’s capacity, reducing delays from freight trains and allowing for two additional roundtrips to be added.
The segment between New York City and Albany makes five stops in between. Running nonstop would save about 0:30. In Albany, the diesel dual-mode locomotive is swapped for a conventional one, adding 0:20 minutes. Fortunately, Amtrak has ordered new ones arriving by 2030 which will eliminate that swap.
Since the current service requires two trainsets, reducing the travel time would allow one additional roundtrip with that same equipment. Adding a third mid-day roundtrip would require two new trainsets.
Making all of those improvements would reduce travel time to 6:20, competitive with driving. Combined with two additional roundtrips, ridership could hit 500,000 passengers per year, up from 71,012 who used the 11:00+ service in 2024 and more than its 2014 record of 133,764 passengers. While fares averaged $34 a ticket in 2024, faster travel times would allow for higher fares and reduced operating costs which would reduce or potentially eliminate the state’s subsidy for operating costs. The Adirondack would retain its scenic charm but with faster travel times and more frequent trips.
