Storm brings more Amtrak cancellations Thursday, Friday

Train approaching in snowstorm

Amtrak has added to its previously announced list of storm-related cancellations for today (Thursday, Feb. 3; see “Winter storm brings cancellations …,” Trains News Wire, Feb. 2, 2022), while also modifying schedules for trains in New England today and Friday and adding one Friday cancellation in the Midwes Added to the previously list of cancellations […]

Read More…

Amtrak Inspector General’s report identifies issues in relationship with state operators

Passenger train approaches curve

WASHINGTON — Three significant issues remain to address concerns by operators of Amtrak’s state-supported services over cost-allocation practices by the national passenger operator, according to a new report from the Amtrak Office of Inspector General. Concerns over these issues “affect [state agencies’] trust in Amtrak, with about one third telling the OIG they have low […]

Read More…

First look: Siemens Venture coaches debut for Amtrak (updated)

Conductor waves as he boards passenger car at platform

CHICAGO — “Give yourself a big round of applause,” conductor Erik Newsom enthusiastically announced over the public address system of Amtrak train No. 303 as it left Chicago for St. Louis on Tuesday morning. “You’re the very first to ride Amtrak’s new Midwest cars!” Clapping followed, but that was the extent of the morning’s fanfare […]

Read More…

STB sets details for hearing on Amtrak Gulf Coast case

Surface Transportation Board logo

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has set details for its upcoming hearing on Amtrak’s effort to launch passenger service on the Gulf Coast. The initial phase, public comments, is set for Feb. 15, with the hearing on Amtrak’s request to begin on March 9. Public comment will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 15. […]

Read More…

Winter storm brings cancellations to Amtrak service in Midwest

Amtrak logo.

WASHINGTON — Amtrak has announced a new series of cancellations because of a winter storm, this time for today (Wednesday, Feb. 2) and Thursday, Feb. 3, on Midwest state-supported routes and some long-distance trains beginning or ending in Chicago. Trains affected today include City of New Orleans departures from Chicago and New Orleans; the westbound […]

Read More…

News photo: First revenue run for new Amtrak cars

Passenger train rounds curve

JOLIET, Ill. — More than a year after making their first test runs, the Siemens Venture equipment built for state-supported Amtrak service in the Midwest made their first revenue trip Tuesday morning on Lincoln Service train No. 303 from Chicago to St. Louis. The equipment is scheduled to return this evening on train No. 306, […]

Read More…

How West Virginia’s lone Amtrak station agent was reinstated

Man with gloves at door of baggate car at night

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Some may take the physical presence of a station agent for granted, especially in a world that has learned to do more with less interaction. But the story of how West Virginia regained its only agent back helps underpin the importance of humanizing the passenger railroad experience. In April 2018, before the […]

Read More…