NEW KENT, Va. — Amtrak suspended all passenger service between Richmond and Newport News on Monday after a freight train derailed in New Kent County, blocking the tracks.
The incident occurred early this morning, forcing the cancellation of multiple Northeast Regional services on the heavily traveled Virginia corridor.
The derailment is affecting all Amtrak services that run east of Richmond. Officials confirmed that the tracks are currently impassable while crews respond to the scene. No injuries were immediately reported in connection with the freight derailment, which is under investigation.
“Service between Richmond Staples Mill (RVR) and Newport News (NPN) is temporarily suspended,” said Amtrak spokesperson Jane Doe in a statement released this morning. “We are working to provide alternate transportation for affected passengers and apologize for this inconvenience.”
Amtrak confirmed that impacted services include trains scheduled for both eastbound and westbound departures.
This suspension impacts thousands of daily commuters and travelers in Virginia’s Hampton Roads region. The Newport News route is a vital spur of the Northeast Corridor, connecting the area to Washington, D.C., and cities further north.
CSX, which owns and maintains the trackage, is leading the recovery and clearing effort.
Officials have not yet provided an estimated timeline for when the tracks will be cleared or when normal Amtrak service will resume. Passengers are advised to check Amtrak.com or the mobile app for the latest updates on their reservations.
Amtrak service between Richmond and Newport News was canceled on Monday following a freight train derailment in New Kent County. The derailment blocked the tracks, making them impassable for passenger trains.
All Amtrak services running between Richmond Staples Mill Station (RVR) and Newport News Station (NPN) are suspended. This primarily affects Northeast Regional trains originating from or terminating in Newport News.