For those planning to take Amtrak west of Atlanta 1/19

Major train accident between Birmingham and Anniston, on the heels of earlier service disruption due to a wreck in Meridian, MS.

Watch it live here.

http://www.abc3340.com/weather/

Service Alert: Crescent - CSX Derailment Causes Amtrak Crescent Service Disruption January 18 & 19

Due to a CSX freight train derailment on the Norfolk Southern railroad north of Meridian, MS, Monday, January 16, Amtrak's Crescent service will be disrupted today and tomorrow. The derailment caused the single main track to be blocked, and one mile of track was damaged.

As a result, the following operations plan is in effect for the Crescent:

*
Train 19, departing New York on Jan. 18, will terminate in Atlanta, with no alternate transportation to points south of Atlanta.
*
Train 20, scheduled to depart New Orleans on Jan. 19, will originate in Atlanta, with no alternate transportation between New Orleans and Atlanta.

Passengers are encouraged to check www.amtrak.com or call 1-800-USA-RAIL to monitor individual train status.

If you had a ticket from say Birmingham to Atlanta on Amtrak, is Amtrak obligated to pay for same day alternate transportation at equal cost to Atlanta?

Nope, when they say "no alternative transportation is provided", that means that you are on your own to get from Atlanta to Birmingham.

All you can expect from Amtrak is a refund on your ticket or the unused portion of your ticket.