I want to corroborate this. I have ridden between NYC, Boston, and Chicago dozens of times, a very nice trip. Heading west, we generally to Albany-Renssalear on time, make the connection, and proceed on time. Even in winter snow.

The number of times it has not been delayed by freight after that, crossing upstate New York, numbers in the single digits.

For some reason eastbound seems to fare better, but still no guarantees.