‘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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Amtrak announces June 1 return for some Acela service NEWSWIRE

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A northbound Amtrak Acela Express passes through Elizabeth, N.J., in August 2019. Amtrak will resume some Acela service on the Northeast Corridor as of June 1. TRAINS: David Lassen WASHINGTON — Amtrak will begin restoration of Acela Express service on the Northeast Corridor as of June 1, with three Acela round trips between Washington and […]

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Amtrak to require passengers to wear facial coverings NEWSWIRE

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A masked passenger waits on the North Concourse of Chicago Union Station on April 20, 2020. Beginning May 11, Amtrak will require passengers to wear facial coverings on trains and in stations. TRAINS: David Lassen WASHINGTON — Amtrak will begin requiring passengers to wear masks or other facial coverings as of May 11. The requirement […]

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Amtrak donating to food banks nationwide NEWSWIRE

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Workers from Amtrak’s Chicago Commissary deliver food to the King Majesty Ministries food bank, part of a nationwide effort by Amtrak to donate surplus food. King Majesty Ministries, via Amtrak More Tuesday afternoon rail news: — Amtrak is making donations to food banks across the U.S., offering help to those in need during the COVID-19 […]

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Metra makes new cuts on three routes NEWSWIRE

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Two passengers board a Metra North Central Service train at the Prairie Crossing station in Libertyville, Ill., on April 2. Metra will cut service on the North Central and two other routes as of Monday. TRAINS: David Lassen Still more Thursday morning rail news: — Reflecting the ongoing loss of ridership during the COVID-19 pandemic, […]

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NYC L Train tunnel work completed NEWSWIRE

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Monday morning rail news: — Reconstruction work on the New York subway L Train tunnel between Manhattan and Brooklyn is complete, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Sunday, and regular service will resume today — within the constraints of the current Essential Service Plan limiting Metropolitan Transportation Authority operations because of the COVID-19 virus. Work […]

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Amtrak executives look ahead to post-virus plans NEWSWIRE

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Amtrak’s northbound Hiawatha arrives in Milwaukee on time on Thursday afternoon. It was the final trip for the Hiawatha before rail service was suspended; beginning today, bus service will replace the train between Chicago and Milwaukee for at least a month because of the COVID-19 outbreak. TRAINS: David Lassen WASHINGTON — Although Amtrak is in […]

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Amtrak to replace ‘Hiawatha’ with bus service NEWSWIRE

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A southbound Amtrak Hiawatha races through Lake Forest, Ill., on Feb. 2, 2020. Amtrak will replace the lone remaining Hiawatha round trip with buses as of Friday. TRAINS: David Lassen Wednesday afternoon rail news: — As of Friday, April 24, Amtrak will replace the remaining daily Hiawatha round trip between Chicago and Milwaukee with Thruway […]

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Amtrak to require masks for employees NEWSWIRE

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Monday morning coronavirus-related rail news: — Effective today, Amtrak will require all customer-facing employees wear a facial covering of some kind — a mask if available— and strongly encourages all other employees and passengers to wear coverings. At Friday’s employee town hall, the first hosted by new CEO William Flynn, CEO asked employees to start […]

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