The federal government alleges in a lawsuit against Norfolk Southern that the railroad has been causing chronic delays for Amtrak between New York and New Orleans by forcing the passenger trains to wa

The U.S. Justice Department filed a civil suit on Tuesday against Norfolk Southern alleging that the transport company is delaying passenger trains on Amtrak’s Crescent Route between New York City and New Orleans in violation of federal law.

A complaint filed in federal court said Norfolk Southern had “regularly” failed to follow federal law requiring that it give preference to Amtrak passenger trains.

US authorities accused Norfolk Southern Corp. of causing repeated delays of Amtrak passenger trains along a lengthy route spanning New York City to New Orleans.The railroad routinely gives freight trains preference over passenger trains along a 1,