Amtrak expands storm cancellations and changes to include ‘Empire Service’ trains NEWSWIRE

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NEW YORK — Amtrak has expanded its cancellations and schedule modifications for Sunday to include Empire Service trains. The moves are in advance of a winter storm approaching the Northeast. In addition to its previously announced cancellations and changes [See “Amtrak cancels trains, modifies schedules in advance of storm,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 18, 2019], […]

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Amtrak seeks proposals for equipment to replace Amfleet I cars NEWSWIRE

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Could future Amtrak trains in the Northeast look something like this? A Brightline train awaits boarding in Miami on Jan. 11, 2019. Amtrak has issued a request for proposal for new single-level passenger cars; the Brightline cars, built by Siemens, are the newest intercity equipment in the U.S. and the basis for cars on order […]

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Amtrak cancels trains, modifies schedules in advance of storm NEWSWIRE

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NEW YORK — In keeping with recent practice, Amtrak has cancelled some trains and modified schedules for others this Saturday and Sunday because of a forecast for a major winter storm. Service has been cancelled on Saturday and Sunday for three trains: the Chicago-Washington Capitol Limited; the Chicago-New York/Boston Lake Shore Limited, and the Indianapolis-New […]

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‘Lake Shore’, ‘Capitol’ get hot entrees; coach passengers left in the cold

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Amtrak’s “Beef short rib” meal Bob Johnston WASHINGTON — Characterizing the change as an “evolution,” Amtrak says sleeping car passengers will have new meal options on the Chicago-New York/Boston Lake Shore Limited and Chicago-Washington, D. C., Capitol Limited starting this week. On June 1, 2018, Amtrak reduced dining car staffs on those trains from a […]

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How’s Amtrak doing in the fight vs. winter? NEWSWIRE

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The westbound Empire Builder prepares to leave Minot, N.D. on March 1, 2007. North Dakota has been largely spared of heavy snowfall totals this winter. Bob Johnston WASHINGTON — Not mentioned in reports of cancelled flights and accident-strewn snowbound highways as a major winter storm moved from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic region last weekend […]

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Metra, Amtrak service resume on CN route to Joliet NEWSWIRE

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A Metra Heritage Corridor train approaches the Lemont, Ill., station in April 2016. Service on the line has resumed after Monday’s cancellations because of a freight derailment. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — Metra and Amtrak service have resumed on Canadian National’s line between Chicago and Joliet following a one-day interruption because of a freight-train derailment. […]

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Proposed Indiana budget threatens future of ‘Hoosier State’ NEWSWIRE

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The Hoosier State, with a consist including equipment being ferried from Amtrak’s Beech Grove Heavy Maintenance Facility, rolls through St. John, Indiana, on July 4, 2014. Bob Johnston Crawfordsville townspeople and Mayor Todd Barton, left, visit with then-Amtrak president Joe Boardman at an inspection train stop in October 2014. Bob Johnston INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Gov. […]

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Amtrak looks to new options for East River tunnel rehabilitation work NEWSWIRE

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NEW YORK — Amtrak is looking for options for its New York tunnels. During the day today, railroad officials will walk to the East River tunnels with officials from Columbia and Cornell universities, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and other members of an expert panel. They’re expected to find out if repair work could […]

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‘Sunset Limited’ reduced to twice-weekly service for seven weeks beginning Jan. 20 NEWSWIRE

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The Westbound Sunset Limited pauses at Alpine, Texas, in May 2016. The Sunset will be reduced to twice-weekly operation for a seven-week period beginning Jan. 20. Bob Johnston A full baggage cart greets the westbound Sunset Limited during a stop in El Paso, Texas. Bob Johnston SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Sunset Limited will begin […]

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Amtrak cites safety in turning away CTrail ticket holders NEWSWIRE

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The popularity of the CTrail Hartford Line has led to issues with Amtrak not honoring CTrail tickets. An Amtrak spokeswoman says the move is for safety reasons. Scott A. Hartley HARTFORD, Conn. — Amtrak is citing safety as the reason it will not allow some CTrail ticket holders to use its trains on the Hartford […]

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Trains top stories for 2018: No. 1, Richard Anderson

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WASHINGTON — A signature event early in Amtrak President and CEO Richard Anderson’s tenure speaks volumes about the tone he has set in leading the organization the Amtrak Board of Directors hired him to run. Private railcar owner Bennett Levin had arranged a special farewell at his own expense to mark the retirement of Billie […]

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Amtrak workers learn terms of severance, relocation deals NEWSWIRE

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Amtrak’s call center in Riverside, Calif., is scheduled to close Jan. 18. David Croteau RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Workers at Amtrak’s soon-to-close Riverside reservation call center are being offered a $15,000 relocation allowance or a one-time severance payment of $10,000, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reports. Workers learned the terms of the agreement at a Wednesday meeting, after […]

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