WASHINGTON — During a presentation to the Rail Passengers Association this week, Amtrak’s Chief Marketing and Revenue Officer, Roger Harris, revealed that beginning some time in October, business class passengers on the Seattle-Los Angeles Coast Starlight will be permitted to purchase food in the train’s dining car. But he also said restoring coach and sleeping […]
Railroad: Amtrak
Amtrak aims to add routes, frequencies; raise speeds in Pennsylvania
Amtrak plans to add three short-haul routes in Pennsylvania and double both Keystone Service and Pennsylvanian train frequencies, Amtrak President Stephen Gardner told Gov. Tom Wolf and other public officials in a recent online roundtable talk about the company’s ConnectsUS 15-year regional corridor vision. The three routes are: New York City-Scranton, Pa., 136 miles via […]
Emergency repairs halt Surfliner, Metrolink service in south Orange County, Calif.
LOS ANGELES — Amtrak and Metrolink service has been suspended in south Orange County for emergency track work to stabilize right-of-way in the San Clemente, Calif., area. The Pacific Surfliner website says no trains will operate south of Irvine. Calif., between today and Sunday. As of Monday, Sept. 20, train service will resume on a […]
Amtrak, developer reach agreement on restoration and update of Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station
PHILADELPHIA — Amtrak has reached agreement with developer Plenary Infrastructure Philadelphia on a lease and development agreement for restoration and renovation of its main station in Philadelphia, the William H. Gray III 30th Street Station. Under the agreement, Plenary will refurbish and improve the nearly century-old building, finance the improvements, and maintain the station for […]
The aftermath: Sept. 13, 2001, at Chicago Union Station
CHICAGO — Travelers all over the U.S. had been stranded for two days after the September 11 attacks, when all air traffic was abruptly grounded. Many Amtrak trains had also been stopped that day as a precaution. While people who had been on the road assumed flights might soon resume, continuing security concerns and the […]
California Zephyr: Amtrak’s legendary passenger train
California Zephyr introduction California Zephyr journeys are scenic and today’s Zephyr in many ways still reprises the advertising slogan of its originators after the “Silver Lady” made its maiden run in March 1949: “The most talked-about train in America.” The Zephyr operates daily between Chicago and Emeryville, Calif., just across the bay from San Francisco. […]
House bill would require Amtrak, air passengers to show proof of vaccination or negative test result
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) has introduced a bill that would require airline and Amtrak passengers to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result in order to travel. The Washington Post reports that the Safe Travel Act introduced by Beyer, chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology subcommittee on […]
CSX says it will iron out wrinkles related to Pan Am acquisition
CHICAGO — CSX Transportation is willing to part with its stake in Pan Am Southern if that would alleviate competitive concerns surrounding its proposed acquisition of New England regional Pan Am Railways. “It was our position from day one, if they wanted us to step out of the Pan Am Southern, we were glad to […]
‘City of New Orleans’ service to remain suspended south of Jackson, Miss.
NEW ORLEANS — Amtrak’s City of New Orleans continues to operate over only a portion of its route as Canadian National crews continue to repair damage in the wake of Hurricane Ida. An Amtrak advisory notes that effective with the Wednesday, Sept. 8, southbound departure from Chicago, the train will operate to Jackson, Miss., with […]
Amtrak New York-Albany service, Metro-North Hudson Line operations to resume Tuesday
NEW YORK — The last Amtrak and Metro-North services which had been shut down by the remnants of Hurricane Ida will return to action Tuesday — while all of New York’s subways are already back in action Work by Metropolitan Transportation Authority workers south of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Amtrak crews north to Rensselaer is allowing […]
Amtrak’s New York tunnels withstand Ida’s deluge
NEW YORK — Despite more than 7 inches of rain that shut down New York’s subway system late Wednesday, the Amtrak tunnels connecting the Northeast Corridor to Manhattan survived tropical storm Ida without the debilitating damage that occurred as a result of 2012’s Superstorm Sandy. But other damage and power outages caused cancellation of all […]
Remnants of Ida cause major rail disruptions (updated)
Rain from the remnants of Hurricane Ida is causing major havoc with travelers in the Northeast, with Amtrak service halted between Philadelphia and Boston, major disruptions to New York subways and commuter rail service, and NJ Transit cancelling almost all rail service. Amtrak has now cancelled all Northeast Corridor service between Washington and Boston for […]