Former Amtrak employee pleads guilty to wire fraud

U.S. Department of Justice seal

NEW ORLEANS — A former Amtrak employee has pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud in connection with actions when she was working as an on-board service attendant. Kenya Butler-Small will be sentenced on June 15, 2022 for the charges, which carry maximum penalties of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, […]

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Tennessee legislators seek study of in-state Amtrak service

Map showing passenger routes in Tennessee and neighboring states

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Two Nashville lawmakers have introduced a bill in the state legislature asking for a study of possible Amtrak service connecting Chattanooga, Knoxville, Nashville, and Memphis. The Nashville Tennessean reports state Rep. Jason Powell and state Sen. Heidi Campbell, both Democrats, are sponsoring the legislation which would direct the Tennessee Advisory Commission on […]

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CSX asks for delay in Amtrak Gulf Coast hearing

Surface Transportation Board logo

WASHINGTON — CSX Transportation has asked for a delay in the evidentiary phase of the Surface Transportation Board hearing over Amtrak Gulf Coast service — but the public will not be informed why. A filing posted to the STB website today (Wednesday, Feb. 23) says the railroad “does not likely make this request, given the […]

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Start of trial pushed back for Amtrak 188 engineer

Amtrak logo.

PHILADELPHIA — The opening of the trial of the former Amtrak engineer at the controls for the fatal 2015 derailment of Northeast Regional train No. 188 has been delayed. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the trial of Brandon Bostian, which had been scheduled to begin Tuesday, is now expected to start no sooner than Thursday […]

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Pacific Surfliners get wi-fi upgrade

Blue and silver-painted locomotive at a station platform surrounding by brown steel work and palm trees. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner renewable diesel.

The LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency, which operates Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliners, is rolling out improved wi-fi on its 351-mile route between San Luis Obispo, Calif., and San Diego. “We know the importance of providing stable Wi-Fi for our passengers,” Donna DeMartino, LOSSAN Agency Managing Director, said in a press release. “Whatever the purpose of their travel, […]

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Trial of Amtrak 188 engineer set to begin

ntsb188

PHILADELPHIA — The lengthy legal saga of the engineer in a fatal 2015 Amtrak accident will finally go before a jury asked to determine if the events of that day constitute a crime. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports a trial is slated to begin today (Tuesday, Feb. 22) in which Brandon Bostian, 38, is charged with […]

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Pennsylvania, Norfolk Southern announce pending agreement for second Pittsburgh-Harrisburg train

Diesel-powered passenger train operating under electified trackage

PITTSBURGH — Norfolk Southern and the state of Pennsylvania are finalizing an agreement for up to $170.8 million in infrastructure improvements that will allow a second daily Amtrak train between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, a route currently served by the Pittsburgh-New York Pennsylvanian. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports the deal was announced at a Friday press conference […]

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Amtrak Silver Meteor family trip

Baby girls eats food at a tray table on a train.

Watch as Stephen, Jess, and baby Hunter take a Silver Meteor family trip from New York City to Orlando. This video shows their adventures from NY Penn Station to Orlando, Florida, via Amtrak’s long-distance Silver Meteor. The Australian family maintains a travel blog, Flying The Nest, where they detail their globe-trotting experiences, mostly out of […]

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Amtrak Silver Meteor family trip

Baby girls eats food at a tray table on a train.

Watch as Stephen, Jess, and baby Hunter take a Silver Meteor family trip from New York City to Orlando. This video shows their adventures from NY Penn Station to Orlando, Florida, via Amtrak’s long-distance Silver Meteor. The Australian family maintains a travel blog, Flying The Nest, where they detail their globe-trotting experiences, mostly out of […]

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