Pennsylvania Railroad-painted E units Nos. 5809 and 5711 lead special train through Lee’s Crossroads, Pa, in June 2014. The consist was returning from the Streamliners at Spencer railfan event in North Carolina. Jonathan Wright PHILADELPHIA — One of the nation’s leading railway preservationists is calling on the enthusiast community to exercise restrain despite a call […]
Railroad: Amtrak
Private passenger car organizations’ statement to Trains News Wire NEWSWIRE
The 2011 AAPRCO special makes its way north from Fort Worth, Texas, to Newton, Kan., BNSF Railway’s Red Rock Subdivision. Keel Middleton EDITOR’S NOTE: This letter is a response to Trains News Wire regarding comments Bennett Levin made about private passenger car owner safety and behavior. The story is published online. In order to respond […]
Amtrak’s weather fears lead to ‘Empire Builder’ cancellations NEWSWIRE
The ‘Empire Builder’ engine crew changes at Whitefish, Mont., on Feb 4, 2017. Bob Johnston ST. PAUL, Minn. – Winter storm Xanto, which is threatening travelers with blizzard conditions from the Dakotas through Minnesota and Wisconsin on April 13, and 14, is the type of weather system that the Empire Builder typically slogs through between […]
Amtrak aims to replace Amfleet, P42 diesels, CEO tells employees NEWSWIRE
An Amtrak Lincoln Service train, led by P42 No. 168 and with an Amfleet car at the rear of the consist, passes through Lemont, Ill., on Jan. 20, 2018. Amtrak is hoping to order replacements for the P42s and Amfleet equipment this year. TRAINS: David Lassen Amtrak plans to seek proposals from manufacturers and award […]
Metra asks STB to intervene in dispute with Amtrak in Chicago NEWSWIRE
CHICAGO — Metra is asking the Surface Transportation Board to resolve a disagreement between the commuter rail agency and Amtrak involving its lease and trackage rights at Chicago Union Station — a dispute that could have ramifications elsewhere. The issue was prompted by the merger last year between Amtrak and Chicago Union Station Co., which […]
Amtrak to end Business Class on two routes NEWSWIRE
Amtrak intends to remove Business Class seating from the Auto Train and Crescent routes, effective May 1. The upgraded class of service was offered on both routes for about two years. The upgrade did not sell well and often resulted in higher base coach fares because, with a fixed number of cars in the train […]
Auto Train derails, other Amtrak trains affected NEWSWIRE
ENFIELD, N.C. — Four auto racks on Amtrak’s southbound Auto Train derailed Wednesday night, delaying the train and leading to altered schedules for several Amtrak trains through North Carolina. WTVD-TV in Raleigh, N.C., reported the derailment occurred about 11:30 p.m. None of the 394 passengers or crew were injured. The derailed cars remained upright and […]
Private-car groups respond to Amtrak plans on charters, excursions NEWSWIRE
Three Amtrak GE P42DCs lead the American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners’ Chattanooga Limited convention train across the James River near Lynchburg, Va., in September 2012. AAPRCO’s annual convention and mid-year specials are at risk with Amtrak’s new policy. Chase Gunnoe WASHINGTON — The two organizations representing the private-car industry say they’re doing their […]
Steam group reacts to Amtrak policy on special trains, charters NEWSWIRE
Nickel Plate Road No. 765 inches closer to the platforms at Metra’s LaSalle Street Station in Chicago on June 17, 2017, as it leads the Joliet Rocket. Organizers are holding off on ticket sales pending clarification of Amtrak’s recent announcements regarding private passenger cars and excursions under Amtrak’s common carrier umbrella. TRAINS: Steve Sweeney FORT […]
Amtrak to stop operating special trains, charter moves NEWSWIRE
The Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society’s 2017 New River Train rolls through Sandstone, W.Va., with 30 private cars in tow. A new Amtrak policy could mean the end of this and all other excursions using the passenger railroad’s equipment. Chase Gunnoe WASHINGTON — Special trains and certain private varnish moves will no longer be […]
‘Trails and Rails’ program eliminated from five Amtrak trains, trimmed on three others NEWSWIRE
National Park Service volunteer Dan Jerome demonstrates Native American traditions through Montana on the Empire Builder in 2008. Bob Johnston WASHINGTON — The National Park Service “Trails and Rails” volunteer lecture program has been cancelled on five Amtrak trains and shorteneed on three others this year. The changes are the result of the result Amtrak’s […]
Passenger car beds
A sleeping berth shown set for feet first in the direction of travel on an Amtrak long-distance train. Bob Johnston Q I previously understood that the safest position to sleep while traveling by train was with feet first, but the past Amtrak trips I took had the bed set up head first. Is there an […]