The problem is in the heavily traveled Northeast corridor and failure to replace the track ties could mean delays and loss of business.
It's not clear exactly how much the project will cost, but Amtrak tells Congress it expects to spend more than $23 million on the ties this year alone.
Amtrak spokesman Cliff Black says if the ties fracture badly, they can't support the rails. He says there is no danger now, because the problem has been caught early.
Amtrak says its contract with the supplier requires the company to provide new ties for free. But Amtrak has to pick up the labor cost.
