How a 17-hour Amtrak trip turned into a 37-hour debacle


Passengers on an Amtrak train traveling from the Washington, D.C., area to Florida got much more than they bargained for when their trip was unexpectedly delayed, causing them to be stuck on the train for nearly a full extra day.
What was supposed to be a 17-hour journey ended after 37 hours on Wednesday morning, when the train finally rolled into the station at Sanford, Florida.
The train had left Lorton, Virginia at 5 p.m. Monday, and was scheduled to arrive in Sanford by 10 a.m. Tuesday. The trip had started normally, however, the train was forced to take a detour Monday night due to a nearby freighter derailment, and ended up sitting on the tracks for hours in a rural area near Denmark, South Carolina.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Amtrak reportedly told passengers that they would not be allowed to disembark the train at any time. Videos obtained by ABC News reportedly showed angry passengers calling 911 from the halted train, prompting a conductor to beg them to stop.
"For those of you that are calling the police, we are not holding you hostage," the conductor was reportedly heard saying over the loudspeaker. "We are giving you all the information we have. We are sorry about the inconvenience."
Passenger Michael McFadden, who was traveling to Florida with his family to visit Legoland, told NBC News, "I just feel like I'm bad luck, that's how I feel."
"The question that we are asking is, why did the train have to stop in the middle of nowhere — not even a small station, and have crew drive to the train?" McFadden added.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
August 24 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Sunday's political cartoons include Putin at Donald Trump's circus, gallons of whitewash, and a foldable cartoon
-
5 Post Office-approved cartoons about mail-in voting
Cartoons Artists take on reverse logic, Putin's election advice, and more
-
The battle of the weight-loss drugs
Talking Point Can Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly regain their former stock market glory? A lot is riding on next year's pills
-
Florida erases rainbow crosswalk at Pulse nightclub
Speed Read The colorful crosswalk was outside the former LGBTQ nightclub where 49 people were killed in a 2016 shooting
-
Trump says Smithsonian too focused on slavery's ills
Speed Read The president would prefer the museum to highlight 'success,' 'brightness' and 'the future'
-
5 fun cycling tours that let you vacation on two wheels
The Week Recommends Gain a new perspective while pedaling
-
Trump to host Kennedy Honors for Kiss, Stallone
Speed Read Actor Sylvester Stallone and the glam-rock band Kiss were among those named as this year's inductees
-
White House seeks to bend Smithsonian to Trump's view
Speed Read The Smithsonian Institution's 21 museums are under review to ensure their content aligns with the president's interpretation of American history
-
Go beyond the islands you already know in these 8 countries. Surprises await.
The Week Recommends These destinations fly under the radar
-
The most fun road trips are the ones with the least curveballs. Use these tips to get there.
The Week Recommends The music blaring, the windows wide open and a carefree drive
-
Charlamagne Tha God irks Trump with Epstein talk
Speed Read The radio host said the Jeffrey Epstein scandal could help 'traditional conservatives' take back the Republican Party