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The current era of transition for Amtrak’s roster harkens back to motive power that shaped the passenger rail carrier — for better or for worse. Excluding EMD F40PHs, as they’re in a league of their own, here are five memorable Amtrak locomotives. SDP40F Initially rolled out in 1973, the SDP40Fs became the […]
When you think about electrified rail lines today, the first thing that probably comes to mind is Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor. But in the first half of the 1900s, before the start of the diesel era, railroads used electrified lines to move freight and passengers. Examples in the east included the New York, New Haven & […]
WASHINGTON — Amtrak has applied for almost $300 million in federal grants to address infrastructure needs on the Northeast Corridor, including problems with the catenary system that have led to significant delays in recent months, NJ.com reports. The passenger company is seeking $299.7 million through four Federal Railroad Administration CRISI (Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety […]
MILWAUKEE — The Justice Department needed to file a lawsuit against Norfolk Southern for its poor handling of Amtrak’s Crescent because Class I railroads routinely ignore the law that gives passenger trains preference over freight traffic, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told Trains on Wednesday. The suit, filed Tuesday, July 30, in the U.S. District Court […]
Amtrak’s Southwest Chief is once again facing cancellations on the central portion of its route because of a freight train derailment, according to the Amtrak Alerts feed on X.com. The westbound train that departed Chicago today will be canceled between Kansas City and Albuquerque, with no alternate transportation provided, while the eastbound train that left […]
CHICAGO — Amtrak has cancelled one of two daily round trips between Chicago and Quincy, Ill., as of today (Thursday, July 30) and at least through Wednesday, Aug. 7. So far, the only acknowledgement on Amtrak’s website is that the affected Carl Sandburg trains during the period are shown as “sold out.” Amtrak spokesman Marc […]
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Justice Department is taking Norfolk Southern to court, alleging the railroad’s delays of Amtrak’s Crescent violate federal law. The civil complaint, filed today (July 30) in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, alleges NS regularly fails to give the Crescent preference over freight trains as required by statute, leading […]
WASHINGTON — Amtrak on Monday announced plans for renovations and operational improvements at Washington Union Station as a result of a court ruling granting it control of the station. As of Monday, July 29, the passenger rail company is responsible for the day-to-day management and operations of the station, and said it will immediately initiate […]
WASHINGTON — Beginning Sept. 3, the daily Texas Eagle will gain a Superliner sleeping car and coach three days a week in each direction, adding seats, rooms, and revenue on a train that has suffered near-daily sellouts since capacity and amenity downgrades as part of October 2020 cuts driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. The additional […]
WASHINGTON — Eight members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation have again written Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, asking for federal intervention in the ongoing service issues on the Northeast Corridor. The letter, dated Friday, July 26, is signed by U.S. Reps. Mikie Sherrill, Robert J. Menendez, Frank Pallone Jr., Josh Gottheimer, Andy Kim, Donald Norcross, Bill […]
GARDEN CITY, Kansas — An apparently minor BNSF Railway derailment has led to cancellations of Amtrak’s Southwest Chief. Images on the KSNW-TV website show a small number of covered hoppers, perhaps as few as a half-dozen, involved in the derailment. The viewers who provided the photos said the incident was 15 to 20 miles east […]
MOBILE, Ala. — Amtrak appears to be on the verge of an agreement with the City of Mobile that finally will allow Gulf Coast passenger service to move forward. WALA-TV reports that a spokeswoman for Mayor Sandy Stimpson said the city and Amtrak had finalized language for a funding agreement for Mobile-New Orleans service and […]
