Wildfires leave Amtrak passengers stranded overnight, effectively shut down train travel in and out of Florida

Two wildfires raging near the Clay-Putnam County lines that are expected to merge into one massive 3,000-acre blaze have effectively shut down all Amtrak traffic in and out of Florida.

That left passengers on one train stopped for hours and stranded overnight.

Passenger Katrinia Wheeler told News4JAX her trip turned into a 24-hour delay—derailing her anniversary getaway to Florence.

“I had to board a plane this morning for my anniversary trip. I missed out on my whole anniversary trip (because) I spent 24 hours and some change sitting at Amtrak,” Wheeler lamented.

She said she boarded the train in DeLand, and they had a stop in Palatka. Not long after, they ran into trouble.

“When we were leaving the Palatka station, we got to a curve, and I looked over, and I could see smoke coming from the woods by the train track because we were on the curve,” Wheeler said. “Then I saw the emergency vehicles going by, so the train stopped at that point.”

Amtrak Train 98, traveling north from Miami, was carrying Wheeler and hundreds of other passengers, but they found their way blocked when Amtrak said local officials shut down the tracks to ensure crews had space to get the wildfires under control.

That delay stretched overnight into the morning, turning into nearly a full day onboard.

“I spent 24 hours on the train for me to only go 44 miles from where I got on at in Deland, for them to bring me right back,” Wheeler said.

Wheeler said at first she was thankful Amtrak was being so proactive about not bringing the train close to the fires.

“But then, after I’ll say eight hours, and you sitting in the same spot, and you asking people, ‘Hey, what’s going on?’ and they can’t tell you, I was panicked. My anxiety increased,” Wheeler said.

Clay County officials say sparks from a train likely started one of the fires near County Road 209 and Maranda Drive.

Amtrak’s alert feed on X.com shows that significant fire department activity north of Palatka has temporarily halted all rail services. Amtrak said local officials have closed the tracks to battle a major fire ahead on the route.

“We sincerely apologize for this delay and appreciate your patience and understanding as this action is being taken for the safety of everyone involved,” Amtrak wrote.

Later, Amtrak updated that because of the fires:

• Train 98, which was scheduled to depart Miami (MIA) on 4/20, was canceled between Miami (MIA) and Jacksonville (JAX) with bus transportation provided.
• Train 97, which departed New York (NYP) on 4/19, was canceled between Jacksonville (JAX) and Miami (MIA) with alternate bus transportation that will be drop-off only
• Train 40 between Miami (MIA) and Savannah (SAV) was canceled. Alternate transportation will not be provided for that route.
• Auto Trains 52 and 53, which departed Sanford (SFA)/Lorton (LOR) on 4/19, were canceled. Customers will be returned to their points or origins.
• Trains 40 and 98, which departed Miami (MIA) on 4/19, were also canceled.

For the latest updates on Amtrak route changes, click here.