— One crewman suffered a foot injury when nine auto racks of Amtrak’s northbound Auto Train derailed Thursday afternoon near DeLand, Fla. None of the train’s passenger cars derailed and no passengers were injured, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, which attributed the derailment to “a problem with the track.” The passenger portion of the […]
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A Brightline train departs West Palm Beach, Fla., in 2019. The Florida passenger service has shut down indefinitely because of the COVID-19 virus. TRAINS: David Lassen Thursday morning rail news: — Florida passenger service Brightline shut down operations Wednesday and laid off 250 of its 300 employees because of the coronavirus pandemic. In an email […]
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Tuesday morning updates on rail service changes because of the COVID-19 outbreak: •Amtrak’s San Joaquins will suspend three round trips as of Thursday, March 26, close some stations, and suspend cafe car service. Four round trips will continue to operate. The trains eliminated — Nos. 701, 702, 703, 704, 714, and 717 — are those […]
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Washington-bound Acela Express No. 2159 flies through the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Mansfield, Mass., station at over 100 mph in June 2017. Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson told employees that one day last week, Acela ridership was down 99% from the same day a year earlier. Bob Johnston WASHINGTON — At a weekly “town hall” telephone […]
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A TEXRail train passes the station at Grapevine, Texas. TEXRail and Trinity Railway Express service is being reduced as of today. Lance Lassen A roundup of Monday morning rail news: — Amtrak has suspended all Acela Express service on the Northeast Corridor, reflecting a dramatic drop in usage for America’s only high speed rail service. […]
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An LA Metro light rail train boards at LA Union Station. Metro has trimmed service with California under a “shelter in place” order. TRAINS: David Lassen A Saturday update on rail service changes and other responses to the COVID-19 virus. Because of the rapidly evolving situation, check with local service providers or Amtrak.com for the […]
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A Metra train passes through Elmwood Park, Ill., on March 13, 2020. Metra will cut weekday service by about half as of Monday. TRAINS: David Lassen Friday news on coronavirus-related changes in rail service: — Chicago’s Metra will cut service by about half beginning on Monday, March 23. There will be changes on every line […]
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Lincoln Service train 302 speeds through Odell, Ill., on a 110-mph test segment in November 2016. It is one of the two Lincoln Service round trips cancelled as of Saturday. Bob Johnston CHICAGO — Beginning Saturday, March 21, Amtrak service on three Illinois routes out of Chicago will be reduced beginning Saturday, March 21. The […]
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Still more Thursday rail news: — The trade organization for U.S. transit agencies is asking for more than $12 billion in federal emergency aid to help agencies deal with the increased costs and dramatic drop in ridership revenue stemming from the COVID-19 virus. In a “Call to Action” message to its members, the American Public […]
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A northbound Amtrak Hiawatha passes through Northbrook, Ill., on Feb. 23, 2020. Service frequency is being reduced for the Hiawatha and other Midwest trains. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — As part of its continuing response to coronavirus-related drops in ridership, Amtrak has made the first cuts to its Midwestern service, cancelling the Chicago-Grand Rapids, Mich., […]
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Passengers board the Missouri River Runner at Kirkwood, Mo., in 2014. A state house committee has voted to overturn a plan which would cut the service from two round trips to one. Bob Johnston More Tuesday morning rail news: — Amtrak says it and its state partners will need $1 billion in assistance as a […]
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Intercity, commuter, and local passenger rail systems contine to adjust to the COVID-19 outbreak. Here are the latest service changes as of Tuesday morning: — Amtrak has announced further reductions. Because Amtrak continues to adjust schedules, check Amtrak.com or Amtrak smartphone apps for the latest status. Here are changes as of Monday evening: – Effective […]
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