Some of Amtrak's on - time problems are self - inflicted, due to chronic equipment breakdowns and shortages. A train that leaves its' initial departure station late, will usually stay late or become even later while enroute. Other times its' the freight railroads' ambivalence towards Amtrak, as shown by EwePee in the past and CSX currently. Here in the Northwest, BNSF makes the effort to dispatch Amtrak professionally, and the re$ult$ $how in the incentive payment$ BNSF receives for their efforts.