Scenic Adirondack Amtrak Line to Resume

Amtrak’s Adirondack line, which was halted north of Albany during the pandemic, will return to service on April 3, 2023. This line runs between New York City and Montreal. This service travels along one of the most scenic train lines. “From Plattsburgh to Poughkeepsie and into Penn Station, the Adirondack Line runs through some of the most beautiful parts of Upstate New York,” said Senator Chuck Schumer in a press release.

In 2019, the Amtrak Adirondack line served 117,490 customers, which was a 5.1% increase from the previous year; and in 2022, 526 new hires were added. Amtrak is now actively hiring and training both onboard and mechanical employees in New York City and Albany. To help attract talent, Amtrak is offering a $25,000 sign-on bonus for all mechanical roles. All of the current and new employees have to be qualified under Federal Railroad Administration requirements. To make sure that return to service is both safe and efficient, Amtrak has been working with Canadian Pacific and Canadian National.

U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, along with Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, have been working with Amtrak to re-establish this service. State Senator Dan Stec of Queensbury said in a statement: “The Adirondack Line is a crucial resource for the North Country. It’s a transportation service for our residents and with its ability to connect visitors from Canada… a major economic driver. Its closure had a major impact on our ability to move forward from the pandemic and get our economy back on track.”  

This line will help to increase tourism and fulfill the transportation needs of many in the area, including students who attend SUNY Plattsburgh and Clinton Community College. It is also another important step in normalizing cross-border travel since the pandemic.  

Stations served by the Amtrak Adirondack Line: