An Amtrak Lincoln Service train passes through Lemont, Ill., in January 2018. Amtrak has told two passengers who use wheelcharis that wanted to use the train between Chicago and Bloomington, Ill., that it would cost $25,000 to accommodate them. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — Amtrak told two people who use wheelchairs that their proposed trip from […]
Bob Johnston NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Extending Illinois-sponsored trains from Carbondale, Ill., to Memphis, Tenn., and establishing a route between Nashville and Atlanta were ideas suggested by an Amtrak representiative to a Tennessee legislative committee this week. As first reported in the Nashville Tennessean, Amtrak Senior Director of Government Affairs Ray Lang’s appearance Tuesday before the […]
An inbound Metrolink Ventura County Line train approaches the Corbin Avenue grade crossing in Northridge, Calif., on Jan. 10, 2020. Metrolink will end its operating contract with Amtrak, according to an Amtrak memo. TRAINS: David Lassen LOS ANGELES — Commuter railroad Metrolink will not renew its operating contract with Amtrak, Amtrak executive Stephen Gardner has […]
Creole shrimp and Andouille “flexible” entrée with demitasse salad awaits heating on the ‘Cardinal’ on Oct 1, 2019. Bob Johnston WASHINGTON – After dropping full dining car service on its New York-Miami Silver Star in early 2016, Amtrak will add “flexible” dining meals for sleeping car passengers with Viewliner II diners on May 1. The […]
NEW YORK — New plans were announced Monday for New York Penn Station, during a speech to New York Civic leaders by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat. To augment the new Moynihan Train Hall and existing Pennsylvania Station, buildings and land on the south full city block adjacent to the current facility will be acquired […]
MOBILE, Ala. — As expected, the Mobile City Council has delayed its vote on providing funding support for the restoration of Amtrak service to the Gulf Coast. Fox 10 News reports the vote is now set for Jan. 28. Mobile is asked to being commit to providing $2 million to $3 million to match a […]
MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile City Council, which had been expected to vote today on funding to support the return of Amtrak service to the city, is now likely to delay that decision. AL.com reports that the vote is likely to be delayed because council members learned a deadline to submit matching funds for a […]
RALEIGH, N.C. — The recent deal between Virginia and CSX that will allow expanded passenger and commuter rail service south of Washington D.C. also reaches into North Carolina. The Raleigh News and Observer reports that the North Carolina Department of Transportation will eventually acquire about 10 miles of CSX right-of-way from the Virginia state line […]
Joe Boardman, Amtrak’s second-longest-serving CEO, on a Southwest Chief inspection trip in 2016. Bob Johnston Few people have suffered the sustained, stinging criticism of opinion writers and readers in Trains Magazine as long as Joe Boardman did while he was Amtrak president and CEO — only to revive his popular reputation with interviews in retirement. […]
Shelbi Hoover, Paul Utterback, and Dr. Helen Hudson help prepare the Crawfordsville, Ind., station on Saturday, June 29, the day before the final run of the Hoosier State. Bob Johnston If you’re a fan of Amtrak, 2019 might be called a “building year,” similar to a major league team recouping from years of losses and […]
Plasser American maintenance-of-way equipment works at New York’s Penn Station during an earlier phase of Amtrak’s Infrastructure Renewal Program. Work at the station will resume Jan. 3, leading to schedule changes for the Long Island Rail Road. Ralph Spielman NEW YORK — Amtrak will resume infrastructure work at New York’s Penn Station on Jan. 3, […]
Amtrak ‘Keystone Service’ train No. 664 hustles east at Mount Joy, Penn., in January 2018. Mark Hoffman HARRISBURG, Pa. – Pennsylvania should sever its relationship with Amtrak and take over operation of the Keystone Service (Philadelphia-Harrisburg) and the in-state portion of the Pennsylvanian (New York-Philadelphia-Pittsburgh), according to one rail industry veteran. Lower taxpayer outlays and […]
