Norfolk Southern–Amtrak Agreement, Get Bonus Amtrak Points, & More
Published 7 days ago • 3 min read
The Travels with Kev Newsletter
Hello Reader,
Welcome back! The weekend is approaching!
Amtrak passengers win, learn how to earn more points, and find out what's going on with Kev.
Norfolk Southern–Amtrak Agreement: A Big Win for Riders
On September 9, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a settlement with Norfolk Southern (NS) that requires the freight railroad to give priority to Amtrak trains when they are on its tracks. This is, by the way, the law for all freight railroads.
This ruling is significant on the Crescent Route, the 1,377-mile trip connecting New York City and New Orleans, where freight congestion has historically caused major passenger delays.
Why this matters to you: For years, freight trains have often been given priority over passenger trains, even though federal law requires the opposite. That caused long, frustrating delays for Amtrak travelers. With this agreement, Amtrak riders should experience fewer delays, smoother trips, and more reliable service.
What Amtrak says:
“On the Crescent route alone, NS-related delays are down 34% year-over-year, with Freight Train Interference reduced by 53%. Across all NS-hosted routes, delays decreased 26% and FTI dropped **42% year-over-year. Ridership on these routes also rose by 2%, reflecting growing customer confidence in service reliability.” — Amtrak Statement.
The bottom line: This settlement isn’t just a legal victory, it’s a tangible benefit for riders.
If you’re riding the Crescent or other Amtrak trains, like the Floridian and the Pennsylvanian, that share Norfolk Southern tracks, you can expect a more reliable trip than before on those routes.
Here are Norfolk Southern locomotives, classified as "foreign power," crossing through Burlington, WI, in Canadian National territory.
Amtrak Points Bonus Alert
Want to boost your balance? Now through September 18, you can buy or gift Amtrak Guest Rewards points and get up to 50% more for free.
This is one of the top travel hacks out there—grab those bonus points now and use them for your next fall trip.
Pro tip: You don’t have to wait until you have enough points for a full ticket. With Amtrak’s Points + Cash program, you can stretch your balance further and save money on fares.
And while you’re at it, double-check your account! Make sure your points aren’t about to expire—there are easy ways to keep them active so you don’t lose them.
New on the Website
I finally put together my guide to Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor — one of California’s most convenient trains. If you’re planning a trip in the Bay Area or Sacramento region, this is a must-read.
Over the weekend, Dad and I took a day trip to Monroe, WI. It wasn’t what I would have chosen, but it made him happy, so it was worth it. He found a few treasures he wanted, and we got cheese. Cheese makes me happy!
Additionally, I am preparing for next week’s cross-country trip! Fly to LA, and take the Southwest Chief to Chicago, where I transfer to the Floridian, then onto Pittsburgh to the Pennsylvanian.
It still feels strange in Chicago to board anything there that isn’t Metra or the Hiawatha. Next week, I will talk about the return trip.
I mailed this month’s postcards to Patreon members featuring a scene from New Orleans. Want one next month? Join Patreon, and I’ll send a card from me to you!
Looking at the Markers
Thanks for reading and riding along with me!
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If you’d like to continue using this free resource, here are some simple ways to support it:
One-time support:PayPal, Buy Me a Coffee, that green button at the bottom of this email, or check out my Support Page for more options.
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Every contribution, whether big or small, fuels this effort, supports new projects, and encourages more people to find joy in train travel—one trip at a time.
Until Next Week…
Happy planning and safe travels, Kev Monteith
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