More at this article:
https://wapo.st/3WJZDgw. Excerpt:
"Norfolk Southern controls all but about 240 miles of the 1,377-mile line, called the Crescent Route, and is in charge of dispatching both freight and passenger trains. Federal law requires the company to give Amtrak trains preference. But according to the lawsuit, Norfolk Southern has instead held up passengers, sometimes for hours, to allow its longer and slower-moving freight trains to pass. Only about 24 percent of Amtrak trains on the route arrive on time, according to the lawsuit and Amtrak’s own audits."
Besides reducing demand on the route, the delays cause operational headaches and extra costs for Amtrak which has to juggle trains and crews.
You shouldn't encounter a paywall...I've "gifted" the article using my
Post subscription, which warns me I can only share 4 more articles this month, and seeing as it's the 31st I'm gonna chance it.