Tough week for western long distance trains NEWSWIRE

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The westbound Canadian is 22 hours late as seen from its eastbound counterpart at Jasper, Alberta, on Feb 16, 2019. Two photos, Neil Lang CHICAGO – Keeping trains running through the so-called “polar vortex” in the center of North America and massive weather systems impacting the West Coast with heavy rains and snow have taken […]

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Compromise spending bill maintains Amtrak funding NEWSWIRE

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WASHINGTON — The budget compromise that Congress passed last night and is expected to be signed by President Donald Trump today funds Amtrak at $1.9 billion, equal to last year’s level, according to a summary document issued by House Democrats. The bill also includes $670 million for rail infrastructure improvements. Overall, the Federal Railroad Administration budget […]

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Amtrak to increase weekday service to Norfolk NEWSWIRE

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Amtrak began serving Norfolk, Va., in December 2012. Fred W. Frailey NORFOLK, Va. – Amtrak will soon offer two weekday departures from Norfolk. Tickets are now available to purchase for travel to and from the waterfront city beginning on March 4. The first Northeast Regional departs Norfolk at 6:15 a.m. every weekday and arrives in […]

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Renovated Tomah, Wis., Amtrak station to open Feb. 13 NEWSWIRE

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TOMAH, Wis. — Tomah’s renovated Amtrak station will open on Wednesday, Feb. 13. A dedication ceremony is set for 4:30 p.m., the Tomah Journal reports. There is also a town hall meeting that evening featuring a representative of the Wisconsin Rail Passenger Association, discussing the status of the Empire Builder and the possibility of a […]

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BART, Amtrak exploring possible joint transbay crossing NEWSWIRE

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A Capitol Corridor train passes through Crockett, Calif. Amtrak and BART are considering a shared crossing of San Francisco Bay that would allow direct service between San Francisco and Sacramento. Steve Glischinski SAN FRANCISCO — Bay Area Rapid Transit and Amtrak are joining forces to study the possibility of a second San Francisco Bay rail […]

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Amtrak to consider direct service to Long Island NEWSWIRE

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NEW YORK — Friday’s announcement that Amtrak’s board of directors had reached agreement with New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority on the Penn Station Access project had been expected. An accompanying possibility — direct Amtrak service to Long Island — was not. In a press release following the Amtrak board meeting, Stephen Gardner, senior executive vice […]

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Amtrak to debut new western Massachusetts service in June NEWSWIRE

Amtrak train on bridge crossing river

Amtrak’s northbound Vermonter crosses a canal in Holyoke, Mass., on Aug. 30, 2018. Plans for additional service will increase frequency on this corridor from one to three round trips daily. Scott A. Hartley SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The upgrade of former Boston & Maine Railroad trackage that allowed the Vermonter to be rerouted via Greenfield, Mass., […]

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Joe Boardman speaks in The Trains Interview NEWSWIRE

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Joe Boardman Bob Johnston WAUKESHA, Wis. — Former Amtrak President Joe Boardman has strong words for his old railroad in the March 2019 issue of Trains Magazine. In our monthly “The Trains Interview,” Boardman discusses rail safety, operations, dining car service and offers a critical opinion of the passenger railroad under the leadership of Amtrak’s […]

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Amtrak board Names Kevin Winters as inspector general NEWSWIRE

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WASHINGTON – Amtrak board of directors has appointed Kevin Winters as the new Amtrak inspector general, effective immediately. He succeeds Tom Howard, who will retire after four decades of experience in senior federal accountability positions. Winters has served as deputy inspector general and counsel since 2015, after serving for 10 years as a senior executive […]

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