Private car owner: Safety issues, behavior led to Amtrak decision NEWSWIRE

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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 […]

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Amtrak to end Business Class on two routes NEWSWIRE

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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 […]

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Auto Train derails, other Amtrak trains affected NEWSWIRE

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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 […]

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Private-car groups respond to Amtrak plans on charters, excursions NEWSWIRE

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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 […]

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Steam group reacts to Amtrak policy on special trains, charters NEWSWIRE

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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 […]

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Amtrak to stop operating special trains, charter moves NEWSWIRE

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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 […]

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Passenger car beds

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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 […]

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