Man charged in Amtrak case asks to change plea to guilty NEWSWIRE

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LINCOLN, Neb. — The man facing terrorism charges after stopping Amtrak’s California Zephyr last fall has asked to change his plea to guilty, the Omaha World-Herald reports. Taylor Wilson, 26, is scheduled to face trial in June on two charges of terrorism against a mass transportation after the incident last Oct. 22 when, as a […]

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Former Amtrak president questions motives of current management NEWSWIRE

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Joe Boardman stands with passenger rail supporters in Raton, N.M., in 2014. Bob Johnston ROME, N.Y. – “I’ve seen enough. I’ve heard enough,” explains former Amtrak President Joseph Boardman. Trains News Wire asked Boardman what prompted an email he sent early Tuesday and subsequently forwarded to elected officials throughout the country. “This is beyond common […]

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Amtrak ‘City of New Orleans’ gets a new stop NEWSWIRE

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MARKS, Miss. – Effective this weekend, Amtrak City of New Orleans trains will stop daily at a new station in Marks, Miss., on the Chicago-New Orleans route made famous in a song by Steve Goodman and recorded by Arlo Guthrie and many others. Service in both directions is effective tomorrow, May 5, with a ribbon-cutting […]

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Amtrak to eliminate 15 station agents on long-distance routes NEWSWIRE

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The Crescent stops at Meridian, Miss., a station that is about to lose its agent. Bob Johnston WASHINGTON — In another cost-cutting move, “made jointly by the operating divisions and the Long Distance Service Line,” says spokesman Marc Magliari, Amtrak will eliminate ticket agents at 15 stations serving seven long distance routes as early as […]

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Private car owners disappointed by new Amtrak policies NEWSWIRE

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Private cars bring up the rear on the westbound California Zephyr at Hinsdale, Ill. TRAINS: David Lassen WASHINGTON — Some private car owners say Amtrak’s new tariff rates and restrictions will make business more challenging and expensive, but at least they now have a written policy to work with. Amtrak announced an increase in tariffs […]

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Updated: Cold-meal service coming to ‘Capitol,’ ‘Lake Shore Limited’ NEWSWIRE

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The westbound Capitol Limited passes through Goshen, Ind., on March 24, 2018. The train is one of two which will offer cold-meal service for sleeping car passengers beginning June 1. TRAINS: David Lassen WASHINGTON — For sleeping car passengers on two Amtrak routes between Chicago and the East Coast, it appears dining innovation is a […]

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Dome car trips on Amtrak to benefit Norfolk & Western 611 NEWSWIRE

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Moonlight Dome will run several trips on Amtrak to support Norfolk & Western No. 611. Adam Auxier WASHINGTON — The Virginia Museum of Transportation will operate a series of private railcar trips utilizing a rare Baltimore & Ohio dome behind Amtrak trains beginning April 28 and 29. These trips are fundraising events for Norfolk & […]

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UPDATED: New Amtrak guidelines add details on private-car, special-train moves NEWSWIRE

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Two private cars bring up the rear on the westbound California Zephyr at Hinsdale, Ill, on June 24, 2016. TRAINS: David Lassen WASHINGTON — New Amtrak guidelines on special trains and private cars issued Wednesday provide a few exceptions from its original plan — to only allow private car moves between a train’s originating and […]

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Private car owner: Safety issues, behavior led to Amtrak decision NEWSWIRE

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Pennsylvania Railroad-painted E units Nos. 5809 and 5711 lead special train through Lee’s Crossroads, Pa, in June 2014. The consist was returning from the Streamliners at Spencer railfan event in North Carolina. Jonathan Wright PHILADELPHIA —  One of the nation’s leading railway preservationists is calling on the enthusiast community to exercise restrain despite a call […]

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Private passenger car organizations’ statement to Trains News Wire NEWSWIRE

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The 2011 AAPRCO special makes its way north from Fort Worth, Texas, to Newton, Kan., BNSF Railway’s Red Rock Subdivision. Keel Middleton EDITOR’S NOTE: This letter is a response to Trains News Wire regarding comments Bennett Levin made about private passenger car owner safety and behavior. The story is published online. In order to respond […]

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Amtrak’s weather fears lead to ‘Empire Builder’ cancellations NEWSWIRE

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The ‘Empire Builder’ engine crew changes at Whitefish, Mont., on Feb 4, 2017. Bob Johnston ST. PAUL, Minn. – Winter storm Xanto, which is threatening travelers with blizzard conditions from the Dakotas through Minnesota and Wisconsin on April 13, and 14, is the type of weather system that the Empire Builder typically slogs through between […]

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Amtrak aims to replace Amfleet, P42 diesels, CEO tells employees NEWSWIRE

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An Amtrak Lincoln Service train, led by P42 No. 168 and with an Amfleet car at the rear of the consist, passes through Lemont, Ill., on Jan. 20, 2018. Amtrak is hoping to order replacements for the P42s and Amfleet equipment this year. TRAINS: David Lassen Amtrak plans to seek proposals from manufacturers and award […]

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