James Whitcomb Riley Amtrak E units recall past glories as they prepare to depart Indianapolis Union Station with the Chicago-bound James Whitcomb Riley in mid-1974. J. David Ingles photo […]
‘James Whitcomb Riley’
Railroad: Amtrak
Analysis: Amtrak fiscal 2021 results favor longer routes
WASHINGTON — Amtrak’s fiscal 2021 results saw ticket revenue and ridership both off 63% from 2019, the last year when the October-September fiscal calendar was not impacted by COVID-19 travel restrictions and massive service cuts. Long-distance trains, however, suffered less of a setback than state-supported and Northeast Corridor operations. For the fiscal year ending Sept. […]
News photos: Amtrak Phase III heritage unit debuts
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — The last of Amtrak’s 50th anniversary heritage-paint locomotives is now in service. P42DC No. 160 wears the “Phase III” scheme — popularly dubbed the “Pepsi Can” — that was unique to the passenger carrier’s P32-8BWH locomotives when delivered in 1991. It was photographed Saturday morning; photographer Nathan Richters said his understanding was […]
Shooter in fatal Sunset Limited incident identified
TUCSON, Ariz. — The shooter in the incident aboard the Sunset Limited that killed a Drug Enforcement Administration agent and injured two other law officers has been identified. The Arizona Republic reports the Pima County Medical Office has identified the man as Darrion Taylor, 26. Taylor, who exchanged gunfire with officers while the train was […]
Chicago firm files four more suits over Empire Builder derailment
CHICAGO — A Chicago law firm has filed four more lawsuits on behalf of passengers who were on board Amtrak’s Empire Builder when it derailed Sept. 25 in Joplin, Mont., killing three people. The new suits — involving Saint Matthew (Matt) Johnson, 40, of Seattle; Stuart and Karen Dixon, 60 and 57, of Berwyn, Pa.; […]
Man killed in shooting on Sunset Limited was 16-year DEA agent
TUCSON, Ariz. — A 16-year veteran of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has been identified as the victim in a shooting aboard Amtrak’s Sunset Limited on Monday in Tucson. The Arizona Republic reports that Michael Garbo was killed as agents were detaining 22-year-old Devonte Mathis after finding marijuana and other cannabis products in his backpack, […]
Seven suits filed over Empire Builder derailment
CHICAGO — A Chicago law firm has filed seven separate lawsuits against Amtrak and BNSF Railway on behalf of passengers injured in the Sept. 25 derailment of the Empire Builder, and says it will challenge an arbitration requirement added to tickets in 2019. A press release from the Clifford Law Offices says the firm obtained […]
Shooting on ‘Sunset Limited’ in Arizona
TUCSON, Arizona — Police are investigating the circumstances behind a shooting this morning on board Amtrak’s Sunset Limited. A railroad representative confirms to Trains that the eastbound passenger train, destination New Orleans, arrived in Tucson, at 7:40 a.m. The representative says there was a “shooting incident” on board the train, though it is not clear […]
Surfliner, Metrolink service to resume in south Orange County
LOS ANGELES — Metrolink commuter rail service in south Orange County, and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner operations between LA and San Diego, were scheduled to resume this morning (Monday, Oct. 4) following the conclusion of emergency repairs to tracks near San Clemente, Calif. Service was halted Sept. 16 after a landslide pushed the rail line out […]
Southern Rail Commission awards grants for stations
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Birmingham and three Mississippi communities will receive Federal Railroad Administration funds from the Southern Rail Commission for station work in preparation for the resumption of Amtrak service between New Orleans and Mobile, Ala. Birmingham will receive $250,000, while Gulfport, Miss., will receive $246,500; Bay St. Louis, Miss., will receive $270,000; and Pascagoula, […]
NTSB calls on FRA, Amtrak to take advantage of PTC safety features (updated)
WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board is renewing a call for Amtrak and the Federal Railroad Administration to end the practice of using watchmen to notify track worker of approaching trains in areas where positive train control offers additional safety features. The recommendation comes in a report issued Thursday on the NTSB’s investigation of […]
Amtrak San Joaquins to add special service to event at historic site
ALLENSWORTH, Calif. — Amtrak will offer special train service on Oct. 9 for a celebration at Col. Allensworth State Historic Park, site of a former Black settlement in the San Joaquin Valley. Four Amtrak San Joaquin trains in each direction will stop that day at the site of the former station in Allensworth, located near […]
