Hello Reader, it is Kev again,

Reminder: This newsletter goes out every Thursday. If you don't receive it one week, check your spam folder. If it's not there, let me know. Also, if you get a new email address, remember to update it here so you won't miss a newsletter. You can do that using the link at the bottom of this email.

Will The Government Shutdown Impact Your Amtrak Trip?

With shutdown news dominating headlines, I've noticed concern spreading among travelers, along with a lot of misinformation and speculation.

Let me lay out the facts. This isn't Washington's first shutdown threat, and, sadly, it won't be the last. But hopefully, it won't last long.

The Bottom Line: Your Amtrak train will run, and your trip won't be affected.

Why Amtrak Keeps Running During Shutdowns

Unlike many government services that halt during a shutdown, Amtrak continues to operate as usual.

Here's why:

Amtrak operates as a for-profit business rather than a traditional government agency. Although it receives federal funding and functions under a congressional charter, ticket sales generate significant revenue that sustains daily operations during times when federal funding is temporarily unavailable.

Amtrak is also a vital form of transportation. Millions of Americans rely on Amtrak's intercity and long-distance passenger rail network for family commitments, work commutes, and essential and leisure travel.

What to Expect During a Shutdown

For now, you shouldn't notice any changes. If, and I hope not, the government remains closed for several months, it could affect daily operations.

Potential Minor Impacts

Trains run normally, but you might see:

• Delays in long-term infrastructure project approvals
• Paused federal grants and reimbursements (resume when government reopens)
• Slower administrative functions requiring federal coordination

However, a lengthy government shutdown could impact project deadlines and lead to additional costs from delays.

Should You Change Your Travel Plans?

No, keep your reservation; you shouldn't see any problems.

Planning to book? Go ahead! Amtrak's services are operating smoothly.

Amtrak & Government Shut Down Track Record

Amtrak has continued to operate through numerous government shutdowns. During the 35-day government shutdown of 2018-2019, the longest in history, Amtrak maintained full service throughout.

Travel with confidence. Washington politics won't derail your Amtrak journey.

New Posts Out This Week!

This week, I published a new "hub page" that consolidates all my state-by-state Amtrak guides in one place, making it easier for you to find the information you need when planning your trip.

While I'm still working through all 46 states plus DC that Amtrak serves, the guides already published can help you plan your trip. South Carolina and Washington, DC, are coming soon. There is a post about the four states without Amtrak service.

Check out the full list and bookmark the page for quick reference when you're ready to explore Amtrak routes in each state.

Would you be interested in a 2026 Travels with Kev calendar?

I'm considering printing 2026 calendars featuring photos from my travels. Would you like to get one? I plan to sell them for around $20-$25, including shipping.

Let me know if you're interested by replying to this email. You're not committing, just letting me know if there's enough interest to make this a worthwhile effort.

What has Kev been up to?

This week, I am back in Florida, but flying home today to bring my mom back to Wisconsin. She was staying at my sister's. Although I have to fly, I did manage to take two train trips. On Tuesday, I took Metra to O'Hare, and today we will take the Hiawatha back to the Dairy State.

Here is a little more about my coast-to-coast trip.

Part Two: Pennsylvania by Land

The middle part of my autumn trip took me off track and into the heart of Pennsylvania, where I stayed with my friends Sean and David in Lancaster, PA.

We first met back in 2014 over meals in the dining car of the Sunset Limited/Texas Eagle, and that chance meeting has blossomed into a friendship that has now lasted over a decade.

This visit was all about experiencing the landscape from a different perspective. The day after riding the Pennsylvanian through the famous Horseshoe Curve, Sean and I returned to watch trains tackle that same grade from the park that borders the curve.

There's something magical about that full-circle moment, and about seeing engineers wave and honk their horns at the crowd from the helper locomotives at the rear of the train. We spent three hours there, enjoying sandwiches in perfect weather, and were eventually rewarded with multiple trains passing through, including two at once.

Between train-watching sessions, we explored the best of the Greater Lancaster area: hiking well-maintained rail trails where we discovered mysterious abandoned infrastructure, including a random water spigot that even local cyclist Sean had never noticed, attending a car show featuring beautiful pre-1955 vehicles that reminded me of my first truck, and enjoying fantastic deep-dish Philly-style pizza and visits to local breweries.

The week had a peaceful rhythm—quiet, coffee-filled mornings, David's thoughtfully prepared scrambled eggs, walks around downtown Lancaster and other communities, and evenings spent relaxing by the fire or binge-watching a Netflix series about Toronto mobsters. Oh, and their two hairless Sphynx cats, named Junior and Norman, were glad to see me. If you are wondering, they feel like petting a warm peach.

As rain started falling on my last day there, I packed my bags, knowing the rails were calling me back.

Looking at the Markers

Thanks for reading and riding along with me!

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Until Next Week…

Happy planning and safe travels,
Kev Monteith