WASHINGTON — Costin Corneanu has been named as Amtrak’s executive vice president, chief financial officer, effective Aug. 4. The Amtrak board approved the appointment today (July 31, 2025). Corneanu will succeed Tracie Winbigler, who will retire on Jan. 1, 2026. Until then, she will remain in her executive vice president role as chief transformation officer. […]
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass) and Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) have reintroduced a bill that would devote $200 billion over a five-year period for rail projects including high speed rail and electrification of some lines. The All Aboard Act, announced by Markey on Tuesday (July 29, 2025) revives legislation introduced late in 2024 […]
WASHINGTON — The Rail Passengers Association said today it will be “actively involved in protecting the rights of passengers” as the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger is considered by the Surface Transportation Board. Amtrak had no comment on the merger announcement. Neither did commuter rail operator Metra, which has been involved in a lengthy legal and […]
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia’s state-supported Amtrak operations set a new ridership record during the 2025 fiscal year that ended June 30, closing the period with a record for June ridership. According to the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, the four state-supported routes — serving Roanoke, Newport News, Norfolk, and Richmond — carried 1.45 million passengers, a […]
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) has reintroduced legislation that would strip Amtrak of its statutory right of operating preference on host freight railroads. It is at least the third time such legislation has been introduced, including the second by Burleson. The “Freights First Act” would eliminate the right of preference within 50 miles […]
GOLETA, Calif. — A 16-day project to replace a Union Pacific bridge beginning Aug. 1 will shut down the route used by two Pacific Surfliner round trips that extend to San Luis Obispo, Calif., as well as Amtrak’s Los Angeles-Seattle Coast Starlight. Replacement of the 127-year-old La Cañada Honda Bridge over Honda Creek in northern […]
On July 22, 2025, Chicago Union Station in Downtown, Chicago, Ill., hosted a centennial celebration of the site’s official dedication in 1925. As referenced in the companion Trains.com article, notable city, regional, state, and federal officials staged near the Great Hall to recognize the station’s quintessential role, longevity, and impactful renovations aimed to keep it […]
ARVADA, Colo. — Amtrak’s first Airo trainset — a diesel-powered version destined for use in Amtrak Cascades Service — arrived in Colorado on Wednesday, July 23, en route to an extended stay for testing in Pueblo, Colo. P42 No. 22 was in charge special train No. 964, ferrying the new equipment from Siemens Mobility’s Sacramento plant. […]
Kato N Siemens ALC-42 Charger Scale: N (1:160) Price: Direct-current models, $150; with pre-installed Digital Command Control motor decoder, $250; with pre-installed DCC and sound decoder, $350 Era: 2021 to present Manufacturer: Kato USA Inc., 100 Remington Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60173; 847-781-9500; katousa.com Kato N Siemens ALC-42 Charger features: All-wheel electrical pickup Blackened wheels Body-mounted […]
WASHINGTON — Amtrak would have owed Canadian National $1.4 million for delays its passenger trains caused to CN freights last year under the CN’s proposal for a new operating agreement, according to a document filed with the Surface Transportation Board on Tuesday (July 22, 2025). The CN filing and one from Amtrak are in response […]
CHICAGO — You only celebrate a 100th birthday once, and Amtrak made sure that the milestone for Chicago Union Station did not go unnoticed. Officials including Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker were on hand today for ceremonies today (July 22, 2025) marking the centennial of the station’s dedication, held July 23, 1925, although — as Amtrak’s […]
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Amtrak today shared photos of the first Airo train set being prepared to leave the Siemens assembly plant in Sacramento. The set will head to Pueblo, Colo., for testing before eventually making its revenue debut in Cascades service sometime in 2026. Amtrak has ordered 83 of the train sets, which will replace […]
