MOBILE, Ala. — As expected, the Mobile City Council has delayed its vote on providing funding support for the restoration of Amtrak service to the Gulf Coast. Fox 10 News reports the vote is now set for Jan. 28. Mobile is asked to being commit to providing $2 million to $3 million to match a […]
MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile City Council, which had been expected to vote today on funding to support the return of Amtrak service to the city, is now likely to delay that decision. AL.com reports that the vote is likely to be delayed because council members learned a deadline to submit matching funds for a […]
RALEIGH, N.C. — The recent deal between Virginia and CSX that will allow expanded passenger and commuter rail service south of Washington D.C. also reaches into North Carolina. The Raleigh News and Observer reports that the North Carolina Department of Transportation will eventually acquire about 10 miles of CSX right-of-way from the Virginia state line […]
Joe Boardman, Amtrak’s second-longest-serving CEO, on a Southwest Chief inspection trip in 2016. Bob Johnston Few people have suffered the sustained, stinging criticism of opinion writers and readers in Trains Magazine as long as Joe Boardman did while he was Amtrak president and CEO — only to revive his popular reputation with interviews in retirement. […]
Shelbi Hoover, Paul Utterback, and Dr. Helen Hudson help prepare the Crawfordsville, Ind., station on Saturday, June 29, the day before the final run of the Hoosier State. Bob Johnston If you’re a fan of Amtrak, 2019 might be called a “building year,” similar to a major league team recouping from years of losses and […]
Plasser American maintenance-of-way equipment works at New York’s Penn Station during an earlier phase of Amtrak’s Infrastructure Renewal Program. Work at the station will resume Jan. 3, leading to schedule changes for the Long Island Rail Road. Ralph Spielman NEW YORK — Amtrak will resume infrastructure work at New York’s Penn Station on Jan. 3, […]
Amtrak ‘Keystone Service’ train No. 664 hustles east at Mount Joy, Penn., in January 2018. Mark Hoffman HARRISBURG, Pa. – Pennsylvania should sever its relationship with Amtrak and take over operation of the Keystone Service (Philadelphia-Harrisburg) and the in-state portion of the Pennsylvanian (New York-Philadelphia-Pittsburgh), according to one rail industry veteran. Lower taxpayer outlays and […]
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Commonwealth of Virginia and CSX Transportation have reached a deal on a $3.7-billion plan that will address rail congestion south of Washington D.C. by separating passenger and freight operations, allowing for a significant expansion of passenger and commuter rail services. The agreement announced Thursday will create a new, state-owned Long Bridge […]
Crowds greet an Amtrak inspection train at Mobile, Ala., on Feb 18, 2016. Mobile’s city council is set to vote on financial support for the return of Amtrak service along the Gulf Coast. Bob Johnston MOBILE, Ala. — Mobile’s city council will vote Dec. 31 whether to make a financial commitment to efforts to restore […]
WASHINGTON — Amtrak is considering airline-style nonrefundable fares and ticket-change fees, according to a leaked memo. The tech website BGR, quoting from a paywalled Business insider report, says the changes could come as soon as January. They would make the lowest-priced “saver” fares nonrefundable and non-changeable 24 hours after purchase, and impose a 25% cancellation […]
A Coaster commuter train climbs Miramar Hill near San Diego in January 2016. Coaster and Amtrak service to San Diego will be disrupted this week by work to address bluff erosion in Del Mar, Calif. TRAINS: David Lassen DEL MAR, Calif. — Work to stabilize eroding coastal bluffs in Del Mar will disrupt Amtrak Surfliner […]
GLEN BURNIE, Md. — A $4.7 million renovation of the Amtrak and MARC commuter rail station at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is now complete. The 14-month project began in August 2018, and provides expanded seating, with charging stations for phones and other personal electronics, new ticketing facilities, improved restrooms, and refreshment and snack options. […]
