From the Cab: I saw the light

A silver Amtrak locomotive at the head of passenger cars under a dark stormy sky

I saw the light, but changing the light was a whole different matter — and that’s why I’m skeptical when a locomotive builder claims to have consulted engineers when designing a new and improved model. And with good reason. They’re usually looking for product endorsement rather than any input intended for product development. A seasoned […]

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Trains LIVE — Riding Amtrak

Two men in a TV interview. Trains LIVE — Riding Amtrak.

Trains LIVE — Riding Amtrak — 10-25-2023 — There are still places in this country that one can only see while riding a train. Today, taking an Amtrak train will deliver spectacular scenery and get you to your destination. The train trip again becomes part of the travel adventure. Additionally, Amtrak, while only a little […]

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Amtrak’s Dash 8-32BWH

A gray locomotive with wide red, white, and blue stripes sits in a large and brightly lit factory building. A similar engine is in the background.

In the early 1990s, as the bulk of Amtrak’s EMD F40PH diesel fleet began nearing potential retirement age, the passenger carrier quietly began nosing around for potential replacements. After testing Electro Motive’s F69 AC traction prototypes, the company opted to explore a less-expensive option. To save money, Amtrak sought to modify an existing freight locomotive model […]

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Kansas Senator places hold on Amtrak board nominees: Analysis

Short Amtrak special train with grain elevator in background

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen.Jerry Moran, (R-Kan.)  has placed a hold on the Amtrak Board of Directors nominees up for consideration by the full Senate, preventing their confirmation until Moran knows exactly all eight board members President Joe Biden intends to nominate. “The Biden administration has violated the law by failing to nominate a geographically diverse […]

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Most Metro-North, Amtrak service to be restored Monday following mudslide

Earthmovers at work to clear mudslide on railroad tracks

NEW YORK — Metro-North Railroad says it will operate a “near-normal schedule” Monday following a mudslide in Scarborough, N.Y., that disrupted its services and those of Amtrak, while Amtrak has announced its operations between New York City and Albany, N.Y., will be “substantially restored.” Metro-North said service will resume between Tarrytown and Croton-Harmon on the […]

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Amtrak Twin Cities services through the years

Amtrak Twin Cities services passenger train on curve in snow

Amtrak Twin Cities services started on May 1, 1971, at the Burlington Northern (former Great Northern) station in Minneapolis. Service levels ebbed and flowed through the years as trains were added or subtracted.     Amtrak opened a new Twin Cities station on March 1, 1978, using a standard plan that was also built in […]

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Mudslide disrupts Metro-North, Amtrak operations along Hudson River

Aerial view of mudslide from just behind large house onto railroad tracks.

NEW YORK — A mudslide on Metro-North’s Hudson Line has disrupted Metro-North service and halted Amtrak operations between New York City and Albany, N.Y. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority says the slide occurred this morning (Saturday, Oct. 21) in the village of Briarcliff Manor, blocking all four tracks at the slide site. Metro-North is currently offering […]

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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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