Montreal tourism outlets are concerned about the discontinued Amtrak line from New York City

Tour operators in Montreal lament the suspension of the only daily train from New York City.

Amtrak announced late last month that it would discontinue service on the Canadian National Railway Co. line due to speed restrictions due to the summer heat, which can cause kinks in the steel tracks.

The US rail giant has said inconsistent application of CN’s heat ordering policies means customers could be stranded or face delays of more than three hours.

CN pointed the finger back, saying Amtrak has not paid for maintenance that would have enabled upgrades to the line, which would then withstand rising summer temperatures.

“Amtrak is responsible and has not paid for the maintenance required to maintain the runway at a level appropriate for the service,” a CN spokesperson wrote in a statement. “If Amtrak agrees to make that investment, CN could upgrade the runway to a level that would ease heat restrictions.”

Tourisme Montréal spokesperson Aurélie de Blois called the suspension very disappointing and a major limitation for travelers, noting that no other passenger train makes the route daily.

Amtrak relaunched the Montreal-Manhattan Adirondack route in April after a three-year closure during the COVID-19 pandemic.