# Amtrak API

> Amtrak provides train status and stop-by-stop times as a workflow and API.

Amtrak's Check train status method returns current status and stop-by-stop times using a train number and departure date. You can optionally limit results to a station by name or code.

- Page: https://fous.com/workflows/amtrak
- Handle: `@amtrak`
- Category: [Travel](https://fous.com/workflows/category/travel)
- Source website: https://amtrak.com
- Last verified: Sep 29, 2026
- Fous is not affiliated with Amtrak.

## Methods

### Check train status

Operation `check_train_status`, version 1. 1 credit per call.

Check an Amtrak train’s current status and stop-by-stop times by train number and departure date. Covers trips shown on the public Track Your Train map; future or older trips may not be available.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `date` | string | no | `"2026-09-28"` | Train’s departure date, for example 2026-09-28. Defaults to today in US Eastern time. |
| `station` | string | no | `"Chicago"` | Only show this station, by name or code, for example Boston or BOS. |
| `train_number` | string | yes | `"5"` | Train number on your ticket, for example 179. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "train_number"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "date": {
      "type": "string",
      "format": "date",
      "description": "Train’s departure date, for example 2026-09-28. Defaults to today in US Eastern time.",
      "examples": [
        "2026-09-28"
      ]
    },
    "station": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Only show this station, by name or code, for example Boston or BOS.",
      "examples": [
        "Chicago",
        "BOS"
      ]
    },
    "train_number": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Train number on your ticket, for example 179.",
      "examples": [
        "5",
        "179"
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "date": "2026-09-28",
      "station": "Chicago",
      "train_number": "5"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-09-28",
      "station": "BOS",
      "train_number": "179"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `date` | string | `"2026-09-28"` |  |
| `stops` | array |  |  |
| `stops[].page_url` | string | `"https://www.amtrak.com/stations/chi"` | Amtrak station page. |
| `stops[].minutes_late` | integer or null | `0` | Minutes late for arrival or departure, zero when on time; null when not reported. |
| `stops[].station_code` | string | `"CHI"` | Station code. |
| `stops[].station_name` | string | `"Chicago, IL"` | Station name. |
| `stops[].scheduled_arrival` | string or null |  | Scheduled arrival in local time, or null at the starting station. |
| `stops[].scheduled_departure` | string or null | `"2026-09-28T14:00:00-05:00"` | Scheduled departure in local time, or null at the ending station. |
| `stops[].estimated_or_actual_arrival` | string or null |  | Latest estimated or actual arrival in local time, if available. |
| `stops[].estimated_or_actual_departure` | string or null | `"2026-09-28T14:00:00-05:00"` | Latest estimated or actual departure in local time, if available. |
| `status` | string | `"on time"` | On time, late, cancelled, or arrived. |
| `page_url` | string | `"https://www.amtrak.com/track-your-train.html"` |  |
| `train_name` | string or null | `"California Zephyr"` | Train service name. |
| `train_number` | string | `"5"` |  |
| `origin_station` | string or null | `"Chicago, IL"` |  |
| `destination_station` | string or null | `"Emeryville, CA"` |  |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "date": "2026-09-28",
  "station": "Chicago",
  "train_number": "5"
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "date": "2026-09-28",
  "stops": [
    {
      "page_url": "https://www.amtrak.com/stations/chi",
      "minutes_late": 0,
      "station_code": "CHI",
      "station_name": "Chicago, IL",
      "scheduled_arrival": null,
      "scheduled_departure": "2026-09-28T14:00:00-05:00",
      "estimated_or_actual_arrival": null,
      "estimated_or_actual_departure": "2026-09-28T14:00:00-05:00"
    }
  ],
  "status": "on time",
  "page_url": "https://www.amtrak.com/track-your-train.html",
  "train_name": "California Zephyr",
  "train_number": "5",
  "origin_station": "Chicago, IL",
  "destination_station": "Emeryville, CA"
}
```

## Quick start

Call the API with a Fous API key (`FOUS_API_KEY`). To create one, turn on Developer mode in Fous Studio, then open Keys & connections → API keys (https://app.fous.com/keys).

```bash
# First set your key: export FOUS_API_KEY='YOUR_FOUS_API_KEY'
: "${FOUS_API_KEY:?Set FOUS_API_KEY before running this example}"

curl 'https://api.fous.com/v1/query' \
  --fail-with-body --silent --show-error --max-time 120 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $FOUS_API_KEY" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-raw '{
  "api": "@amtrak",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "check_train_status",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "date": "2026-09-28",
    "station": "Chicago",
    "train_number": "5"
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}'
```

```python
# Save as fous.py and run with python3 fous.py. No packages needed.
# First set your key: export FOUS_API_KEY='YOUR_FOUS_API_KEY'
import json
import os
import urllib.error
import urllib.request

api_key = os.environ.get("FOUS_API_KEY")
if not api_key:
    raise RuntimeError("Set FOUS_API_KEY before running this example")

body = json.loads("{\n  \"api\": \"@amtrak\",\n  \"visibility\": \"public\",\n  \"operation\": \"check_train_status\",\n  \"version\": 1,\n  \"input\": {\n    \"date\": \"2026-09-28\",\n    \"station\": \"Chicago\",\n    \"train_number\": \"5\"\n  },\n  \"response\": {\n    \"format\": \"json\"\n  }\n}")
request = urllib.request.Request(
    "https://api.fous.com/v1/query",
    data=json.dumps(body).encode("utf-8"),
    headers={
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}",
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
    },
    method="POST",
)
try:
    with urllib.request.urlopen(request, timeout=120) as response:
        result = json.load(response)
except urllib.error.HTTPError as error:
    raise RuntimeError(f"HTTP {error.code}: {error.read().decode('utf-8', errors='replace')}") from error
if result.get("success") is False:
    raise RuntimeError(result.get("error", {}).get("message", "Request failed"))
print(json.dumps(result["data"]["output"], indent=2))
```

```typescript
// Save as fous.mts and run with npx tsx fous.mts.
// First set your key: export FOUS_API_KEY='YOUR_FOUS_API_KEY'
const apiKey = process.env.FOUS_API_KEY;
if (!apiKey) throw new Error("Set FOUS_API_KEY before running this example");

const response = await fetch("https://api.fous.com/v1/query", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Authorization": `Bearer ${apiKey}`,
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  signal: AbortSignal.timeout(120_000),
  body: JSON.stringify({
  "api": "@amtrak",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "check_train_status",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "date": "2026-09-28",
    "station": "Chicago",
    "train_number": "5"
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}),
});
type ApiResult = { success: boolean; data?: { output: unknown }; error?: { message: string } };
const result: ApiResult = await response.json();
if (!response.ok || result.success === false) {
  throw new Error(result.error?.message ?? `HTTP ${response.status}`);
}
if (!result.data) throw new Error("Missing API response data");
console.log(result.data.output);
```

Or describe the data in plain language: send `{"api":"@amtrak","prompt":"Describe the data you need, with every detail"}` to the same URL. Fous fills in the input, runs the method that fits and returns only the fields you asked for; `data.route.calls[].request` is the exact call it made. Routing is free; the run costs the same.

## Use cases

- Check whether a train is on time, late, cancelled, or arrived.
- Review estimated or actual arrival and departure times by stop.
- Find a train's scheduled times at a specific station.

## FAQ

### Is Fous affiliated with Amtrak?

No. Fous is not affiliated with Amtrak. This workflow reads the public amtrak.com website and returns its data.

### How much does it cost?

Each run costs 1 credit. With pay-as-you-go, a credit costs 1¢; monthly plans cost less per credit.

### Do I need a Amtrak account?

No. You only need a Fous account.

### How current is the data?

Fous gets the data from amtrak.com when you run it; repeating the same request within a day may return the saved result. Fous checks this workflow automatically; it last passed a check on Sep 29, 2026.

### Is my train on time or delayed?

Use Check train status with the train number and departure date to see the train's status and stop-by-stop delay information.

### When will my train arrive at a station?

Check train status returns scheduled and estimated or actual arrival times for each stop, when available.

### What time is my train scheduled to depart?

Check train status returns scheduled departure times by stop. Add a station name or code to show only that station.

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