Cascades crash civil trial begins in Washington state NEWSWIRE

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SEATTLE — In what’s believed to be the first suit stemming from the December 2017 derailment of an Amtrak Cascades passenger train to go to trial, three of those injured in the wreck are seeking damages in federal court in Tacoma, Wash. The trial, which began Tuesday, Sept. 3, and is tentatively scheduled for eight […]

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Summer project done, but Penn Station work to continue NEWSWIRE

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While a major summer infrastructure program is complete, work at Penn Station will continue during windows of less traffic for Amtrak, NJ Transit, and Long Island Rail Road trains. Ralph Spielman NEW YORK — While Amtrak’s summer infrastructure work at New York’s Penn Station is complete, additional work will continue over the next nine months. […]

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Amtrak updates hurricane cancellations, schedule changes NEWSWIRE

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WASHINGTON — Amtrak has extended cancellations of some trains and modified schedules for others because of the continuing effects of Hurricane Dorian. Thursday, Sept. 5, and Friday, Sept. 6, schedule changes include: — The north and southbound Palmetto will operate between New York and Richmond, Va., but are cancelled between Richmond and Savannah, Ga. — […]

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Analysis: Amtrak surrenders valuable tool with retirement of last dome car NEWSWIRE

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The Ocean View attracts attention on Amtrak’s Gulf Coast inspection train at Lake City, Fla., on Feb. 19, 2016. Bob Johnston The late Amtrak CEO Joe Boardman dines with wife Joanne aboard the Ocean View, hosting a dinner for Southwest Chief inspection train attendees at La Junta, Colo. on Aug. 4, 2016.   Bob Johnston […]

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Amtrak suspends ‘Palmetto’ service, extends cancellations for Florida trains NEWSWIRE

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WASHINGTON — Amtrak has expanded its train cancellations and schedule modifications because of severe weather anticipated because of Hurricane Dorian. Today (Sept. 3) the southbound Palmetto will operate only between New York and Washington, D.C., with service cancelled from Washington to Richmond, Va. The northbound Palmetto will operate as scheduled. Wednesday, Sept. 4, and Thursday, […]

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Faster running delayed again on Chicago-St. Louis Amtrak route NEWSWIRE

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Lincoln Service train No. 302 speeds through Odell, Ill., in November 2016. Bob Johnston Lincoln Service train No. 304 creeps at 30 mph on KCS-owned trackage through Granite City, Ill., in May 2014. UP track at right is signaled for 79 mph southbound only. Norfolk Southern’s ex-Wabash route is at left. Speeds had not been […]

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Nineteen injured when ‘Sunset Limited’ hits truck NEWSWIRE

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DAYTON, Texas — Nineteen people were injured when the eastbound Sunset Limited collided with a truck in rural Liberty County, Texas on Friday afternoon. The train hit the truck about 4 p.m. near Dayton, about 40 miles northeast of Houston, the Houston Chronicle reports. The newspaper quoted Amtrak spokeswoman Kimberly Woods as saying the train […]

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Summer work done at New York’s Penn Station; Amtrak, commuter service to be restored NEWSWIRE

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Work on three tracks and an interlocking at New York’s Penn Station has been completed and Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road, and NJ Transit service affected by the work will be restored. Ralph Spielman NEW YORK — Passengers at the nation’s most used railroad station can breathe a sigh of relief, as Amtrak has completed […]

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Federal grant for operations advances effort to restore Amtrak service to Gulf Coast NEWSWIRE

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U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) speaks to a crowd that came to see an Amtrak inspection train at Gulfport, Miss., in 2016. Wicker has been a key supporter of efforts to restore Amtrak service along the Gulf Coast, which took another step forward Thursday with announcement of a federal grant to fund first-year operating expenses. […]

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Amtrak suspending Florida service in advance of hurricane NEWSWIRE

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WASHINGTON — Beginning Friday, Amtrak will suspend service in Florida in anticipation of severe weather expected to hit the Southeastern U.S., the passenger railroad announced Thursday evening. According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Dorian is on a track that could result in life-threatening storm surges in the southeastern U.S. on Sunday or Monday. The […]

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Amtrak provides first look at new Acela interiors NEWSWIRE

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Vice President of Amtrak Northeast Corridor Service Line Caroline Decker shows off a mock-up of the interior of a new Acela first-class car, featuring wider seats, larger headrests, in-seat lights, LED information screens and large rectangular windows. Personal power outlets and USB ports are located under the center armrests. The door behind her is one […]

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Amtrak restores veterans ticket discount NEWSWIRE

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WASHINGTON — Amtrak has restored the veterans’ discount on tickets, eliminated in March 2018 in a move widely criticized in the U.S. Congress and elsewhere. Amtrak announced the decision in a Monday press release citing “a new way to save” for those who have served in the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard: […]

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