Chargers are among the newest and most popular passenger locomotives in North America today. The diesel-electric units are made by Germany-based Siemens, at the company’s Sacramento, Calif., manufacturing plant. This videos offers a Chicago-area tour of Chargers leading Amtrak train to Midwest destinations. […]
Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn has joined the call by two labor unions for increased security for Amtrak passengers and railroad workers, especially in the Washington, D.C., area, in the wake of last week’s violence at the Capitol building. “There is nothing more important than the safety of our employees,” Flynn said in a statement. “Since […]
CHICAGO — In a period when the COVID-19 pandemic has made travel more of a last-minute decision than it has been in the past, a Trains News Wire review shows Amtrak passengers on the Northeast Corridor continued to purchase tickets throughout the New Year’s holiday weekend. Such late decisions are not an option for passengers on many […]
NEW YORK — Amtrak’s Moynihan Train Hall, the facility connected to and across 8th Avenue from New York Penn Station, will be completed Dec. 31 and open Jan. 1. The opening of the facility in the historic James A. Farley Post Office Building will conclude a $1.6 billion project that has taken more than three […]
Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO Patrick J. Foye have both reacted positively to the COVID-19 relief funding included in a bill passed by Congress on Monday. Amtrak received $1 billion in relief funds, while transit agencies will receive $14 billion. In a statement issued Tuesday, Flynn thanked Congress for […]
Monday morning rail news: Amtrak, transit funds part of new coronavirus stimulus packageCongress has agreed to a coronavirus aid and stimulus package worth about $900 billion that includes money for transit and Amtrak. The Washington Post reports the House summary of the bill’s contents lists $14 billion in aid for transit, and $1 billion for […]
More Friday morning rail news: Amtrak inspector general says railroad has been mostly effective in handling CARES funds, but some flaws exist Amtrak has been effective in its use of and accounting for Federal CARES act relief funds, according to a report by the Amtrak Office of Inspector General, but there were some flaws in […]
Friday morning commuter rail and transit news: Metra sets schedule changes for four lines, will make two stations flag stops Metra will introduce new schedules on four lines as of Jan. 11, moves the agency says are intended to improve travel options and train operations across its system. Extensive changes are planned for the Milwaukee […]
CHICAGO — Food service on Amtrak’s long-distance trains has become such an exercise in repetition that something as modest as the cold meal service on the Portland, Ore., section of the Empire Builder is both a notable and welcome respite. That’s one aspect of the current state of onboard dining, which suggests both immediate and […]
While Amtrak has cancelled a number of trains in the Northeast as it deals with a major storm, it is also taking extra precautions with those trains that are operating. This morning in Wilmington, Del., train No. 170 had P42 diesel No. 90 operating behind ACS-64 electric No. 619 as a backup in case of […]
Wednesday morning rail news: Amtrak Office of Inspector General reports issues with PTC implementation A report from Amtrak’s Office of Inspector General says the passenger railroad expects to achieve positive train control interoperability by the Dec. 31, 2020, deadline, but can take steps to better ensure its systems are reliable, and that the company faces […]
With a significant winter storm expected in the Northeast, Amtrak has announced cancellation of some trains and modified service for others beginning Wednesday. Cancelled Wednesday are 16 Keystone Service trains between Harrisburg, Pa., and New York; Boston-Newport News, Va., Northeast Regional train No. 67, and Empire Service trains 244 and 241 between New York and […]
