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WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) is calling for freight railroads to do more to improve Amtrak on-time performance, indicating to Amtrak and the Federal Railroad Administration his interest in working with the passenger railroad and federal agency on the issue. Durbin sent letters to Amtrak and the FRA in response to a report […]
New Mexico U.S. Senate Candidate Maggie Toulouse Oliver speaks of the importance of rail transportation and the influence of train travel in her life growing up. Thomas Scalf LAMY, N.M. — The New Mexico Rail Passengers Coalition held a rally at the old depot in Lamy, N.M. to Save the Southwest Chief. Fifty people gathered in […]
WASHINGTON — Amtrak could see notable financial gains from even a relatively slight improvement in on-time performance and significant gains with more substantial improvements, according to a report the passenger railroad has welcomed as an indication of the costs it incurs when host railroads fail to give its trains operating priority. The report by the […]
Four Northeast Corridor stations used by Amtrak and NJ Transit, including Princeton Junction, N.J., will receive makeovers in a program announced Tuesday. Here, a Princeton “Dinky” awaits departure to the Princeton University campus from Princeton Junction in August 2019. TRAINS: David Lassen NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Four stations used by NJ Transit and Amtrak on the […]
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — A 14-car derailment blocked BNSF Railway’s main line east of Flagstaff on Monday, disrupting freight traffic as well as Amtrak’s Southwest Chief. A BNSF spokesperson told local media outlets the accident occurred at 5:14 a.m., and that no hazardous materials were involved. A BNSF service advisory placed the derailment site at Darling, […]
A Chicago-bound Amtrak Hiawatha passes through Deerfield, Ill., in December 2016. Amtrak is requiring reservations on the Hiawatha and several other corridor routes as part of its preparations for increased Thanksgiving holiday ridership. TRAINS: David Lassen WASHINGTON — Amtrak says it will add capacity on many of its corridor routes for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, […]
Amtrak’s new chief of long distance business development, Larry Chestler, poses aboard the cafe car of the Cardinal on Oct. 1. Bob Johnston The Cardinal arrives Chicago on Oct. 5 with one Viewliner sleeper and no Viewliner II diner. Introduction of the diner has been delayed because, according to Chestler, Amfleet II lounge cars are, […]
A San Diego-bound Pacific Surfliner departs Los Angeles in February 2017. Amtrak is adding a 13th San Diego-LA Surfliner round trip beginning Monday. TRAINS: David Lassen ORANGE, Calif. — Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner will add a 13th round trip between San Diego and Los Angeles beginning Monday, Oct. 14. The new southbound train No. 578 will […]
Guests are greeted by this arched gateway upon arriving at the new Mount Joy station. Dan Cupper MOUNT JOY, Pa. – Amtrak and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation have informally opened Monday a new $33.5 million station at Mount Joy on the 104-mile Philadelphia-Harrisburg Keystone Service corridor. A town of about 7,400 population, situated 24 […]
PITTSBURGH — As of Tuesday, Oct. 1, Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian offers checked baggage service, having added a baggage car to its consist. In addition, space to transport up to six bicycles will be available. The Pennsylvanian operates daily, leaving New York Penn Station westbound at 10:52 a.m. and arriving at Pittsburgh at 7:59 p.m. The eastbound […]
A three-hour-late Amtrak train No. 20, the Crescent, arrives at New York’s Penn Station on Tuesday, Oct. 1, with dining car Nashville. Monday night saw the end of meals prepared by chefs and served by waitstaff on the Crescent and three other routes in the eastern U.S. Ralph Spielman Sights like this — meals prepared […]
SECAUCUS, N.J. — The U.S. Coast Guard has made permanent its ban on opening Amtrak’s troublesome Portal Bridge during rush hour. A six-month trial period, banning the opening of the more-than-century-old bridge over the Hackensack River during peak periods on the Northeast Corridor, began in March. [See “Coast Guard will no longer allow rush-hour openings […]
