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CHICAGO — The current heat wave in the Midwest and East is bringing operational impacts for Amtrak and commuter rail systems. Amtrak last week issued a “fact sheet” on how it responds to high heat, noting that restrictions are issued when ambient temperatures exceed 95 degrees or track temperatures reach 128 degrees. Temperatures have reached […]
BALTIMORE — The B&O Railroad Museum has launched a new website, AmericanRail200.org, intended as a one-stop source of information on the bicentennial of American railroading in 2027. The site will serve as the central clearinghouse for events and news, with organizations and individuals invited to upload information so users can find information on events nationwide. […]
Rapido HO Amtrak Non-Powered Control Unit Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin plug, $239.95; with dual-mode sound decoder, $289.95 Era: Mid-1990s to present (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St., Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido HO Amtrak Non-Powered Control Unit features: Enlarged marker lights Etched-metal radiator grills and […]
WASHINGTON — Without fanfare, Amtrak last week posted its 2024 annual report, which also contains its funding appeal for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025. The company’s 137-page “General and Legislative Annual Report and Fiscal Year 2026 Grant Request” recaps financial results for fiscal 2024, operating metrics to date, and projections for future years. […]
LOS ANGELES — Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner is adding an additional round trip serving San Diego staring on Monday, June 16, while also making additional schedule adjustments. The Los Angeles-San Diego service will now have 12 daily round trips. New will be southbound train No. 584, departing Los Angeles at 4:10 p.m. and arriving in San […]
Whether they knew it or not, the Budd Co. was rolling out the final miles in its railcar manufacturing business as it headed into the 1970s. But they didn’t go down without a fight as manufacturing of passenger equipment continued for Amtrak and multiple commuter operations (mainly in the Northeast United States). Part of […]
ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern’s board of directors has unanimously named Richard Anderson, former CEO at Northwest Airlines, Delta Airlines, and Amtrak, as its new independent board chair, effective immediately. The board has also agreed to reduce its size to 12 members. It had been expanded to 14 earlier this year [see “CSX and Norfolk Southern […]
WASHINGTON — Although the Trump Administration’s budget for fiscal 2026 provided little rationale for boosting Amtrak’s National Network funding by almost 23% while decreasing Northeast Corridor money by 25.5%, the proposal provides insight for Congress and company leadership on what their priorities should be. The recent release of budget details [see “Trump budget calls for […]
Broadway Limited N scale EMD SW7 Scale: N (1:160) Price: Stealth (no sound), $189.99; with dual-mode Paragon4 sound decoder, $259.99 Era: 1949 to 2000s (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Broadway Limited Imports, 9 East Tower Circle, Ormond Beach, FL 32174; 386-673-8900; broadway-limited.com Broadway Limited N scale EMD SW7 features: All-wheel electrical pickup Body-mounted couplers […]
PHILADELPHIA — An Illinois employee of an Indiana masonry firm has been sentenced to 57 months in prison for his role in a federal bribery case over Amtrak’s renovation of its 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. Donald Seefeldt, 65, of Wilmette, Ill., was also sentenced to a year of probation, 59 hours of community service, and […]
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas lawmakers did not include funding for Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer in a budget bill passed last week, placing the future of the train between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City in jeopardy after a year that saw a 11% increase in ridership. The Texas Department of Transportation had sought $3.53 million for the […]
WASHINGTON — Funding for Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor would be cut from $1.14 billion to $850 million — a 25% decrease — under President Donald Trump’s budget proposal for fiscal 2026, according to budget information released by the Department of Transportation on Friday. According to the detailed DOT budget request, Amtrak national network funding would increase […]
