Amtrak says freight trains delaying passenger service

Seeking to improve on-time performance of its long-distance passenger trains, Amtrak has filed a complaint against Canadian National Railway, a major operator of freight trains.

Amtrak asked the federal Surface Transportation Board to investigate Canadian National for delaying passenger trains that operate on the freight railroad in Illinois.

Under federal law, passenger trains are required to receive preference over freight trains in dispatching of trains. Amtrak has blamed freight operators for a big drop in Amtrak's on-time performance in the past year.

- Paul Nussbaum