WASHINGTON – Amtrak will require its employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19 effective Nov. 1, according to a memo obtained by Trains News Wire. Unvaccinated employees must submit weekly proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Amtrak is also extending remote work for office employees to Nov. 1. “This extension of the return date is prudent […]
WASHINGTON — The Senate’s passage of a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill drew praise from a variety of rail observers and other interested parties Tuesday. The bill includes $66 billion for rail-related spending, including $58 billion for Amtrak. Amtrak board chairman Tony Coscia said in a statement that the bill represents more than just this country’s […]
WASHINGTON—Calling the issue “ripe for adjudication,” the Surface Transportation Board has agreed with Amtrak’s request for expedited hearings to determine what, if any, infrastructure improvements must occur before it can begin operating between New Orleans and Mobile, Ala. Amtrak had sought to start two daily round trips along the Norfolk Southern-CSX Transportation route in January […]
WASHINGTON – The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, which sponsors Amtrak’s Downeaster service between Brunswick, Maine, and Boston, says it backs CSX Transportation’s proposed acquisition of Pan Am Railways. Amtrak’s Downeaster uses Pan Am trackage from the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border to Portland, Maine, and on to the passenger service terminus at Brunswick. The passenger […]
WASHINGTON — On the heels of the return of “traditional” meal service on its western long-distance trains, Amtrak is introducing an upgraded menu for Acela First Class passengers on the Northeast Corridor. Breakfast options will include such freshly made items as omelettes, huevos rancheros, and eggs benedict, while lunch and dinner entrees include items such […]
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. — Union Pacific has posted photos to its social media accounts, including Facebook, showing its work to dig out from mudslides last week that closed its route through Colorado’s Glenwood Canyon. Clearing of debris and rebuilding track was completed early this morning, with the first freight train passing through the slide area […]
OAKLAND, Calif. — Amtrak says it is “actively working” with Union Pacific on a plan to restore service on the full Coast Starlight route between Los Angeles and Seattle, but does not yet have a date when that will occur. Service has been disrupted since UP’s 1,200-foot Dry Canyon Bridge was damaged June 28 by […]
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Amtrak P42 No. 108 displays a 50th anniversary version of the interim “Phase VI” paint scheme as it leads the westbound Lake Shore Limited on Friday, July 30. The design is similar to one introduced on the first of the new Siemens ALC42 Charger locomotives [see “Amtrak shows off first long-distance Siemens […]
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. — Massive mudslides have washed out Union Pacific’s former Denver & Rio Grande Western route through Glenwood Canyon, east of Glenwood Springs, while also blocking part of adjacent Interstate 70. The slides not only have disrupted Amtrak’s California Zephyrs, which normally pass in the area between crew change points in Denver and […]
ERIE, Pa. — Seven passenger rail advocacy groups have formed a coalition to push for improved rail service between Chicago and New York City. The Erie Times-News reports the Lakeshore Rail Alliance will combine All Aboard Erie, All Aboard Ohio, the Empire State Passenger Association, the Chicago-based High-Speed Rail Alliance, the Indiana Passenger Rail Association, […]
Second of two parts. Part One is here. CHICAGO — An expanded menu selection and increased emphasis on food quality and preparation aren’t the only changes in Amtrak’s reinvention of dining car service on five western long-distance trains this summer. “They have made some really good choices,” observes Michael Provost, a Los Angeles-based server on […]
First of two parts ABOARD THE SOUTHWEST CHIEF — A month after Amtrak revamped dining-car menus on the five long-distance trains that serve the West Coast — replacing pre-packaged meals in a bowl with freshly-prepared breakfasts, lunches, and dinners — it’s clear the company is aiming for a higher standard than what it previously offered. […]
