Hello Reader,

ALL ABOARD for this week’s newsletter!

A Fun Fact About the Sunset Limited, Texas Eagle, and Southwest Chief Schedules

Did you know the schedules for Amtrak’s Sunset Limited (1/2), Texas Eagle (Trains 420/421), and Southwest Chief (3/4) change automatically twice a year? 🚂

But here’s the twist—it’s not because of Amtrak or even the host railroads, Union Pacific or BNSF. The real reason? Arizona! 🌵

Unlike most of the USA, Arizona doesn’t observe Daylight Saving Time ⏰. So, when the rest of the country springs forward or falls back, train schedules at Arizona stations shift by an hour to stay in sync with local time.

So next time you ride through the Grand Canyon State, don’t blame Amtrak for the schedule shift—blame not everyone for being on the same page! ☀️😆

UP Performs Track Work on the Texas Eagle Route

If you’re planning a trip on the Texas Eagle, be aware of some schedule changes.

On select days through June, part of your journey may include a bus connection, or you may need to adjust your plans. For full details and affected dates, check out this Amtrak update.

Keystone & Pennsylvanian Service Affected by Track Work

🚆 March 17 – June 13, 2025

If you’re riding the Keystone Service or Pennsylvania from March 17 to June 13 this spring, keep an eye on schedule changes! Trains will run at reduced speeds between Paoli and Parkesburg due to track maintenance.

What You Need to Know:

✅ Trains will slow down between Paoli and Parkesburg.
✅ Westbound Keystone riders at Coatesville & Parkesburg will board/detrain on Track 1.
✅ Some departure times may change by up to 25 minutes—check Amtrak.com for the latest schedules.

Plan, check your train times, and enjoy the ride! 🚆

Updated Long-Distance On-Time Numbers

Amtrak published its February 2025 performance numbers this week, and I updated each long-distance train page. You can see all of the rankings on this page.

What has Kev been up to?

This week, I took my trip! By the time you read this, I might be on my way home—or, if you’re reading this a bit later, I’ll already be back. Patrons can expect to see photos this week.

It feels great to be back on the rails, heading past Chicago. I started my journey with Metra from Antioch to Union Station, a route I always enjoy. Plus, with parking at just $1.50 per day and the train fare at $6.75 each way, it’s an affordable and convenient way to get into the city.

I opted for an earlier Metra train to give myself a buffer. On-time planning is excellent when it works, but when things go wrong, they really go wrong—so I like to build in some wiggle room.

Overall, the trip went well! It was a little too blustery for much exploring, but I still had a fantastic time and, most importantly, relaxed.

Looking at the Markers 🚂

Thanks for reading this newsletter and for contacting me! I also want to thank those who support my work, ensuring it will be available when you and others need it.

To help keep things going, visit my support page, join Patreon, or use the green button at the bottom of the newsletter.

Together, we’re inspiring more people to explore the world—one train trip at a time! 🚆✨

Until Next Week…

Happy planning and safe travels,
Kev Monteith