AUSTIN, Texas — A Congressman is asking Amtrak to consider service that could give the passenger carrier a connection to Mexico. KSTA radio reports that U.S. Rep Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo) met with Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner and Chief Financial Officer Tracie Winbigler about the possibility of Amtrak resurrecting long-discontinued service between San Antonio and Laredo, […]
Railroad: Amtrak
STB asks parties in Gulf Coast hearing to be prepared to address specific topics
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has asked parties involved in the upcoming hearing on Amtrak Gulf Coast service to be prepared to report on a meeting with the U.S. Coast Guard over drawbridge operations on the route, as well as several other issues, at the hearing scheduled for April 4. In a decision issued […]
Tunnel under a town prototype: Bellows Falls, Vermont
Tunnel under a town prototype: Yes, there is at least one U.S. example of railroads going underneath small towns. And here it is: Boston & Maine’s single track line through Bellows Falls, Vermont. Kalmbach Media’s David P. Morgan Library has three photos in the Boston & Maine tunnels folder that show off this specimen in […]
Rail employee group voices support for Amtrak Gulf Coast service
WASHINGTON — Railroad Workers United, which describes itself as “an inter-union, cross-craft solidarity caucus of railroad workers and their supporters,” has expressed its support for Amtrak’s efforts to launch service on the Gulf Coast — while taking more than a few shots at CSX and other Class I railroads. In a statement filed with the […]
Amtrak recognizes Canadian Pacific as top host railroad
CHICAGO — In a brief ceremony in Chicago, Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner has recognized Canadian Pacific for its sixth straight year with the industry-leading A grade on the passenger carrier’s annual Host Railroad Report Card. The report card measures the freight railroads’ performance in keeping Amtrak trains on time. Gardner presented a plaque commemorating the […]
Amtrak worker charged with fraud over CARES Act funds
NEW ORLEANS — An Amtrak employee has been charged with making false statements and theft of government funds relating to coronavirus relief, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans has announced. Stacey V. Santemore, 46, of Houston, but previously of New Orleans, has been charged with making false statements to the U.S. Small Business Administration to fraudulently […]
Wisconsin, Minnesota, receive $31.8 million to upgrade Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago rail route
LA CROSSE, Wis. — Departments of Transportation in Wisconsin and Minnesota will receive a $31.8 million grant for infrastructure upgrades to allow a second Twin Cities-Chicago passenger train, as well as improved freight operation, on the route through La Crosse, Wis., and Milwaukee. Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Amit Bose, Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner, and officials […]
Plan to allow second ‘Pennsylvanian’ includes 12 new or upgraded NS interlockings
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Re-laying a third track on the historic Rockville Bridge over the Susquehanna River and building a new 5-mile-long main line track through the Altoona, Pa., yard are part of a proposed Norfolk Southern-Pennsylvania Department of Transportation plan to add a second Pennsylvanian daily passenger train. In addition, the plan would install three […]
Eastern long-distance trains lack quality control, oversight: trip report
ORLANDO, Fla. — A recent trip from Orlando to Chicago provided a snapshot of the positives and issues that shape Amtrak service during a period that has seen the company reduce service on a number of routes, citing a lack of resources. Tickets were booked using a combination of cash and Amtrak Guest Rewards points […]
Amtrak to resume normal operations in Northeast on Monday
WASHINGTON — Amtrak will resume normal operations on the Northeast Corridor as of Monday morning, March 7, the passenger railroad said in a Sunday evening announcement. Also, Maryland commuter rail agency MARC said it expected to operate a normal schedule on its route north of Baltimore to Perryville, Md. Amtrak operations between Washington, D.C., and […]
Amtrak disruptions continue from coal-train derailment
WASHINGTON — Amtrak service remains disrupted today (Sunday, March 6) on the Northeast Corridor as cleanup continues from the Saturday morning derailment of a Norfolk Southern coal train at Perryman, Md. As was the case Saturday, the passenger railroad is offering limited Acela service between New York and Washington, D.C., and limited Northeast Regional service […]
Norfolk Southern derailment disrupts Amtrak service on Northeast Corridor
ABERDEEN, Md. — Twenty cars of a Norfolk Southern coal train have derailed near Aberdeen, disrupting Amtrak service on the Northeast Corridor. As of 8 a.m. EST, Amtrak said in an advisory that service had been temporarily suspended between Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, and it would be operating a modified schedule between New York and […]