Supporters, Amtrak officials strike positive note after meetings on Duluth-Twin Cities train NEWSWIRE

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DULUTH, Minn. — After a day of meetings with local officials, an Amtrak executive promised Monday that the passenger railroad is “going to deliver” on proposed service between Duluth and Minneapolis-St. Paul. Joe McHugh, Amtrak’s vice president, state-supported business development, told the Duluth News-Tribune that the proposed 152-mile, 2 ½-hour Northern Lights Express is “in the […]

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Trump administration budget would end long-distance Amtrak trains, cut DOT spending NEWSWIRE

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WASHINGTON — The Trump administration’s proposed 2020 budget calls for refocusing Amtrak on routes of less than 750 miles and would slash discretionary funding for the U.S. Department of Transportation by 21.5 percent, a decrease of $5.1 billion. “Simply put, Amtrak trains inadequately serve many rural markets while not serving many growing metropolitan areas at all,” […]

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Amtrak, Minnesota officials meet on proposed Duluth-Twin Cities train NEWSWIRE

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DULUTH, Minn. — Amtrak officials are scheduled to be in Duluth today and tomorrow for meetings about proposed passenger service between Duluth and the Twin Cities. The Duluth News Tribune reports that Joe McHugh, Amtrak’s vice president, state-supported business development, will meet with Duluth-area officials today and elected officials at the State Capitol in St. […]

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Boardman funeral arrangements set (updated) NEWSWIRE

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The funeral service for former Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman will be held Friday. Bob Johnston ROME, N.Y.—Services for former Amtrak president Joseph H. Boardman have been announced. Visitation is to be held this Thursday, March 14, in Rome, N. Y. from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 West […]

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Wisconsin governor includes $45 million for expanded Hiawatha service in budget proposal NEWSWIRE

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Amtrak Hiawatha trains meet at Rondout, Ill., in January 2018. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has included $45 million for expanded Hiawatha service in his proposed budget. TRAINS: David Lassen MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has included $45 million for expanded Amtrak Hiawatha service between Milwaukee and Chicago in his proposed budget, Wisconsin Public Radio […]

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Amtrak’s Boardman locomotive now used for training of shop staff NEWSWIRE

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The Amtrak locomotive named for former CEO Joe Boardman is now at the railroad’s Beech Grove (Ind.) shops. Bob Johnston BEECH GROVE, Ind. — You may be wondering about the status of Amtrak P42DC locomotive No. 42, the “Salute to Veterans” diesel named for Joe Boardman, the former Amtrak CEO who died earlier this week […]

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Tributes continue for former Amtrak CEO Boardman (updated) NEWSWIRE

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Former Amtrak CEO Joe Boardman, in Pueblo, Colo., for the first public test of an ACS-64 locomotive in 2013. Boardman died Thursday at age 70. Bob Johnston Reactions to the death of former Amtrak president and CEO Joe Boardman continue to come in from across government and the transportation world. Here are some additional thoughts […]

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Amtrak President Joseph Boardman and the Quiet Car on ‘Acela Express’

Amtrak Acela Express Joe Boardman remembrance

A northbound Amtrak Acela tiptoes through the turnouts, exiting high-level Track 20, passing K Tower at Washington Union Station. Doug Riddell Author and retired Amtrak engineer and company photographer Doug Riddell (left) and former Amtrak President Joseph Boardman pose at an inaugural train event in 2009. Doug Riddell A friend of mine asked for advice […]

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Joe Boardman, former Amtrak president, dies NEWSWIRE

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Joe Boardman, Amtrak’s second-longest-serving CEO, on a Southwest Chief inspection trip in 2016. Bob Johnston The Amtrak P42 “Salute to Veterans” locomotive named for former Amtrak CEO Joe Boardman, who died Thursday at age 70. Bob Johnston ROME, N.Y. — Joseph H. Boardman, Amtrak’s second-longest-serving president and CEO, has died. Boardman, 70, suffered a stroke […]

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Rail world reacts to death of Amtrak CEO Joe Boardman (updated) NEWSWIRE

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Joe Boardman, near his home in Rome, N.Y., in 2018. Bob Johnston Reactions to the passing of former Amtrak president and CEO Joe Boardman, who died Thursday at age 70 From Rail Passengers Association President and CEO Jim Mathews: “Joe Boardman believed in his bones that all Americans should have the ability to choose to […]

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Trains’ last interview with former Amtrak President Joe Boardman NEWSWIRE

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Former Amtrak President Joe Boardman seated at his former office in Washington, D.C. Bob Johnston EDITOR’S NOTE: This Q&A interview was originally published in the March 2019 issue of Trains Magazine. It is being re-published on news of his death in March 2019. Since retiring as Amtrak’s president and CEO in 2016 after eight years […]

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Amtrak Philadelphia-Harrisburg service still suspended, to be restored today NEWSWIRE

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PHILADELPHIA — Amtrak service between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Pa., remains suspended after problems with the overhead power lines stopped service on Monday, but the passenger railroad says service will be restored today. Amtrak’s notice on the outage does not indicate a projected time for the restoration of service, interrupted early Monday because of weather-related problems. […]

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