Amtrak’s Chicago Metropolitan Lounge ends free use for business-class passengers

People in loosely organized line at railroad station

CHICAGO — Amtrak business-class passengers no longer receive free admission to Chicago Union Station’s Metropolitan Lounge, although a $35 day pass is available. Enlarged and reimagined at a new location within the sprawling facility in 2016, the Metropolitan Lounge’s primary function has been to serve transferring long-distance sleeping car passengers. It is a multi-level place […]

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Three nominees for Amtrak board advance to full Senate

Man at table in congressional hearing room

WASHINGTON — The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on Wednesday approved three nominations for the Amtrak Board of Directors, advancing those nominations to the full Senate for approval and ending a deadlock that has seen board members with long-expired terms continuing to serve, pending the approval of new nominees. The news site Roll […]

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Amtrak to implement two-tier fare structure: Analysis

Cab car leads passenger train

WASHINGTON — Amtrak announced today (Wednesday, Oct. 18)  that it will be “soon” be reducing its fare categories from three to two, although details and effective dates have not been revealed. The bottom-tier and most-restrictive “Saver” fares are being eliminated, and the other two categories — “Value” and “Flexible” — are being redefined to allow […]

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Siemens debuts first Amtrak Airo passenger car

Passenger car with two-tone blue paint scheme inside building

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Siemens Mobility and Amtrak have unveiled a prototype of the first car for the new Amtrak Airo equipment at the builder’s Sacramento, Calif. The Wednesday event provided the first look at the equipment to be provided in 83 fixed trainsets, the first of which is scheduled to enter service in 2026. The […]

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Amtrak Acela adventure along the Northeast Corridor

Join Trains.com staffers Kent Johnson and Ben Lake, as they explore Business Class and First Class experience aboard Amtrak’s Acela high-speed passenger service! From South Station (BOS) to Union Station (NHV), follow the duo as they take the train to work between Boston, Mass. to New Haven, Conn. in Business Class. Then watch as their […]

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Connecticut approves $1.1 billion in transportation bond funding

Amtrak high speed train meets Metro-North electric multiple-unit trainset

HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut has approved more than $1.1 billion in state bond funding for transportation projects, Gov. Ned Lamont has announced. Funds will help meet matching requirements for federal money available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which could help the state land more than $2.5 billion in federal funding. “The $1.1 billion in state […]

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California governor signs legislation requiring LOSSAN agency to assess impact of climate change on rail route

Amtrak passenger train moves along tracks on coastal bluff in light fog.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation requiring the organization overseeing Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner trains to assess the effects of climate change on its operations as part of its annual business plan. SB677, introduced by state Sen. Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas), requires the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency to identify projects to increase resiliency […]

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Cleveland man arrested for alleged attempts to derail trains

CLEVELAND — The FBI on Friday arrested a 43-year-old Cleveland man for allegedly attempting to derail trains on CSX Transportation lines used by Amtrak over a three-month period. Joseph Findley was charged in federal court with terrorist attacks against railroad carriers, Cleveland.com reports. He was ordered by U.S. District Magistrate Judge James Grimes to remain […]

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Amtrak runs specials to mark CPKC performance

Passenger train with locomotive, three bilevel cars, and single-level car.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Amtrak is operating two days of trips along CPKC’s former Milwaukee Road River Subdivision in Minnesota to recognize the company as Amtrak’s best performing Class I railroad in 2022. The trains make a round trip from St. Paul Union Depot to La Crescent, Minn., where they are turned on the wye […]

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