Digest: Amtrak, NJ Transit remain on modified schedules after storm

Amtrak logo

More Wednesday morning rail news: Rail service continues to dig out from Northeast storm Rail systems continue to recover from Monday’s major snowstorm in the Northeast. Amtrak will continue modified Acela, Northeast Regional, and Keystone Service today on the Northeast Corridor;. see Amtrak.com, the Amtrak app, and the Amtrak Alerts and NEC Alerts Twitter feeds for more information. Most NJ […]

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Ohio rail group floats new effort for state rail service

Train tracks in urban canyon

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Rail advocacy group All Aboard Ohio has begun a public information campaign calling for a series of multi-frequency passenger rail routes throughout the state, plus additional round-trips over existing Amtrak routes between Cincinnati and Chicago as well as Cleveland to Detroit and New York via both Pittsburgh and Buffalo. Although some Ohio […]

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Amtrak, AAR, short line and transit groups congratulate Buttigieg on confirmation as transportation secretary (updated)

Pete Buttigieg

WASHINGTON — Amtrak, the Association of American Railroads, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, and American Public Transportation Association issued statements Tuesday congratulating former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg on his confirmation Tuesday as U.S. Secretary of Transportation. Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn said the passenger railroad “applauds” Buttigieg’s confirmation, adding, As a mayor […]

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Digest: Batory joins R.J. Corman board of directors

Ron Batory

Still more Monday morning rail news: Former FRA administrator Batory joins R.J. Corman board Ronald Batory, whose term as administrator of the Federal Railroad Adminstration ended concluded with the change of presidential administrations in January, has been named to the board of directors of the R.J. Corman Railroad Group. Batory’s 46-year career in the railroad […]

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Digest: CDC issues mask order for domestic travel

Conductor with mask waits by passenger train

Monday morning rail news: CDC issues mask order for domestic travel, effective tonight Responding to an executive order by President Joe Biden, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued an order requiring mask use for all domestic travel, effective today at 11:59 p.m. The Washington Post reports the order, issued late Friday, will require masks […]

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Digest: Amtrak NEC, transit agencies make changes because of approaching storm (updated)

Amtrak logo

Sunday afternoon weather-related rail news: Amtrak to modify, cancel Northeast Corridor service for Monday Amtrak, in keeping with recent practice, is canceling or modifying schedules in the Northeast in anticipation of a winter storm. A notice on the passenger railroad’s website says all Acela service is cancelled, as is the New York-Pittsburgh Pennsylvanian. Northeast Regional and Keystone Service will operate on a […]

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Analysis: Amtrak CEO Flynn sets company priorities for legislation

Electric Amtrak train in station

WASHINGTON —Amtrak CEO William Flynn has outlined his company’s “top five priorities that we ask Congress to address” in a letter sent to legislators last week. The letter, released by Amtrak, says those priorities are: — Emergency funding: $1.541 billion of COVID relief this year “to sustain and restore operations and recall employees” through September 30 […]

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News Photo: Amtrak anniversary engine

Diesel locomotive in station at night

P42DC No. 46 leads the westbound Capitol Limited out of Toledo on Jan. 21, displaying markings commemorating Amtrak’s 50th anniversary, which arrives in May. The locomotive was reportedly going to lead an Inauguration special for Joe Biden, the 46th president, but that was cancelled for security reasons following the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. This edition […]

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New Siemens ‘Venture’ cars test in Michigan

Passenger train in snow

NILES, Mich. – The new Siemens Venture cars for Amtrak Midwest service made their first test run on Monday, operating from Chicago to Pontiac, Mich., on the schedule of Wolverine Service train No. 350, suspended since March because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The trainset, with four of the new coaches separated by former heritage sleeper […]

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