PHILADELPHIA — Amtrak’s next-generation Acela made its first test on Amtrak trackage on Thursday, with the second Alstom-built trainset making a round trip from Penn Coach Yard in Philadelphia to Thorndale, Pa., some 35 miles West of Philadelphia on the line to Harrisburg, Pa. The first Acela trainset continues to test at the Transportation Technology […]
With a reduced seven-car consist, the eastbound California Zephyr approaches Chicago’s Union Staion on April 2, 2020. Amtrak says it plans to reduce frequencies to “less than daily” operation on most long-distance routes beginning Oct. 1. Bob Johnston WASHINGTON — In a Memorial Day letter to Congress, Amtrak management has asked for $1.475 billion in […]
More Tuesday rail news in brief: FRA to provide $91.5 million in funding for New Jersey’s Portal Bridge Amtrak and New Jersey transit have received $91.5 million in funding from the Federal Railroad Administration toward replacement of the Portal Bridge, the aging structure over New Jersey’s Hackensack River that has long been a problem spot […]
A southbound Amtrak Hiawatha approaches Metra’s Western Avenue station in August 2019. Hiawatha rail service, replaced by buses since April 24, will resume June 1. TRAINS: David Lassen Memorial Day rail news in brief: Hiawatha rail service resumes June 1; more trains to be added June 29 One Amtrak Hiawatha round trip will return Monday, […]
Amtrak is looking to hire individuals who will restore agent staffing at 15 stations in 12 states, responding to a congressional mandate to do so. The passenger railroad says in a statement that “These uniformed workers will be trained to assist our customers with booking and boarding trains, including helping with unaccompanied minors, carry-on baggage […]
PUEBLO, Colo. — Amtrak’s next-generation Acela has achieved a testing milestone, reaching speeds up to 165 mph in testing at the Association of American Railroads’ Transportation Technology Center Inc. near Pueblo. That is faster than the equipment’s planned top operating speed of 160 mph. Amtrak has posted video of the train in operation courtesy of […]
PHILADELPHIA — In coordination with state partners at the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, beginning June 1, Amtrak is fully restoring Pennsylvanian service (New York – Philadelphia – Pittsburgh) frequencies and Keystone Service (New York – Philadelphia – Harrisburg) trains will begin operating again on a modified schedule in response to anticipated increased demand. Modified Keystone […]
The southbound Adirondack arrives at Port Kent, N.Y., in 2016. In testimony on proposed new timekeeping measures for Amtrak trains, Canadian Pacific cited concernes it could be penalized for Adirondack delays resulting from late handoffs from another railroad. Bob Johnston WASHINGTON — Railroads hosting Amtrak trains have challenged the Federal Railroad Administration’s attempt to simplify […]
Monday morning rail news in brief: — Criminal charges have been reinstated against Brian Bostian, the latest twist in the legal saga of the engineer who was at the controls for the fatal Philadelphia derailment of Amtrak train No. 188 in 2015. Charges against Bostian were dropped for the second time in July 2019 when […]
An Amtrak Northeast Regional train crosses the Connecticut River bridge east of Old Saybrook, Conn., in October 2011. Bob Johnston Saturday rail news in brief: — Design details for a proposal to replace a century-old Northeast Corridor bridge over the Connecticut River have been presented to harbor commissions in Old Saybrook and Old Lyme, Conn. […]
Amtrak’s Carolinian is scheduled to resume service between Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C., as of May 18, with full service to New York returning June 1, according to a spokeswoman for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, while Piedmont trains will be suspended until further notice. However, other service changes and equipment deployment decisions for state-supported […]
WASHINGTON — Amtrak will close seating in its café cars, making food service carryout only, and has extended its waivers on change and cancellation fees until Aug. 31, as part of its ongoing program to address COVID-19 concerns as it begins to ramp up for increased operations and ridership. The passenger carrier is has also […]
