FRA approves $91.5 million for Portal Bridge project NEWSWIRE

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More Tuesday rail news in brief: FRA to provide $91.5 million in funding for New Jersey’s Portal Bridge Amtrak and New Jersey transit have received $91.5 million in funding from the Federal Railroad Administration toward replacement of the Portal Bridge, the aging structure over New Jersey’s Hackensack River that has long been a problem spot […]

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First ‘Hiawatha’ trains to return June 1 NEWSWIRE

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A southbound Amtrak Hiawatha approaches Metra’s Western Avenue station in August 2019. Hiawatha rail service, replaced by buses since April 24, will resume June 1. TRAINS: David Lassen Memorial Day rail news in brief: Hiawatha rail service resumes June 1; more trains to be added June 29 One Amtrak Hiawatha round trip will return Monday, […]

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New Acela reaches 165 mph in tests (with video)

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PUEBLO, Colo. — Amtrak’s next-generation Acela has achieved a testing milestone, reaching speeds up to 165 mph in testing at the Association of American Railroads’ Transportation Technology Center Inc. near Pueblo. That is faster than the equipment’s planned top operating speed of 160 mph. Amtrak has posted video of the train in operation courtesy of […]

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Amtrak re-starting ‘Pennsylvanian’; adding frequency to ‘Keystone’ service NEWSWIRE

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PHILADELPHIA — In coordination with state partners at the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, beginning June 1, Amtrak is fully restoring Pennsylvanian service (New York – Philadelphia – Pittsburgh) frequencies and Keystone Service (New York – Philadelphia – Harrisburg) trains will begin operating again on a modified schedule in response to anticipated increased demand. Modified Keystone […]

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Analysis: Host railroads at odds with FRA proposal to measure Amtrak on-time performance

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The southbound Adirondack arrives at Port Kent, N.Y., in 2016. In testimony on proposed new timekeeping measures for Amtrak trains, Canadian Pacific cited concernes it could be penalized for Adirondack delays resulting from late handoffs from another railroad. Bob Johnston WASHINGTON — Railroads hosting Amtrak trains have challenged the Federal Railroad Administration’s attempt to simplify […]

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Digest: Charges reinstated against Amtrak 188 engineer

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Monday morning rail news in brief: — Criminal charges have been reinstated against Brian Bostian, the latest twist in the legal saga of the engineer who was at the controls for the fatal Philadelphia derailment of Amtrak train No. 188 in 2015. Charges against Bostian were dropped for the second time in July 2019 when […]

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‘Carolinian’ set for full return June 1; other Amtrak changes not yet finalized (corrected)

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Amtrak’s Carolinian is scheduled to resume service between Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C., as of May 18, with full service to New York returning June 1, according to a spokeswoman for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, while Piedmont trains will be suspended until further notice. However, other service changes and equipment deployment decisions for state-supported […]

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Pandemic stalls some projects, boosts others NEWSWIRE

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A northbound Northeast Regional express speeds past an Amtrak track crew at Odenton, Md., in July 2019. Amtrak has increased maintenance work on the Northeast Corridor during while service is decreased because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bob Johnston Amtrak’s Track Laying Machine replaces rail and ties on the Northeast Corridor near Princeton Junction, N.J., in […]

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