‘Southwest Chief’ featured on 2019 Amtrak calendar NEWSWIRE

Amtrakcalendar

WASHINGTON – Maybe Amtrak loves the Southwest Chief after all. Despite the recent dust-up over creating a “bus bridge” between Kansas and New Mexico, the passenger railroad is featuring the train on its 2019 wall calendar. The calendar photo shows a nine-car westbound No. 3 passing red rock mesas at Mesita, N.M., on the Laguna […]

Read More…

Report finds flaws in Amtrak background checks for employees, contractors NEWSWIRE

Amtrak logo

WASHINGTON — Amtrak has addressed some flaws in conducting background checks as part of its hiring process, but some issues remain, according to a report by Amtrak Office of Inspector General. Most notably, according to the report issued Nov. 1, reviews of applicants’ education and employment histories are insufficient, and the company does not ensure […]

Read More…

Amtrak rate increases threaten West Virginia’s New River Train NEWSWIRE

2014NRTToolCarUnloadCG

Passengers de-train from the New River Train as it makes its second station stop in Hinton, W.Va., in October 2015. Chase Gunnoe HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s annual New River Train could come to a halt because of Amtrak plans to increase private car rates and tighten policies. The 52-year-old annual excursion through West Virginia’s […]

Read More…

Amtrak increases private car rates, outlines new conditions NEWSWIRE

PrivatecarsonAmtrakGunnoe

Three original California Zephyr cars, the Silver Lariat, Silver Rapids, and Silver Solarium, trail Amtrak’s westbound California Zephyr near Pinecliffe, Colo., on Nov. 4, 2017. Chase Gunnoe WASHINGTON — It will soon cost more money to haul a private car behind Amtrak trains. The passenger railroad is increasing its private-car tariff for the second time […]

Read More…

Amtrak demands delaying Metro-North project, official says NEWSWIRE

MetroNorth_NewHaven_Hartley

A Metro-North New Haven Line train rolls through a curve at Stratford, Conn., in 2015. Metro-North parent MTA says Amtrak demands are delaying a project to bring some New Haven Line trains to Penn Station. Scott A. Hartley NEW YORK — A Metropolitan Transportation Authority official says Amtrak demands have stalled a project that would […]

Read More…

Norfolk Southern to adopt Precision Scheduled Railroading operating principles NEWSWIRE

ns_logo_image

NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern will adopt Precision Scheduled Railroading principles as it develops a new operating plan that aims to produce better service at lower cost. The decision, announced today, comes a month after Union Pacific said it, too, would implement an operating plan based on the philosophy of the late E. Hunter Harrison, […]

Read More…

News analysis: Amtrak equipment sale reflects lack of emphasis on growth, revenue NEWSWIRE

Amtrak_P40s_Johnston

These P40 diesels, seen at Bear, Del., on June 7, 2010, are up for sale after being passed over for rehab. Bob Johnston BEECH GROVE, Ind. — Want to buy a 1954-vintage, ex-Santa Fe hi-level lounge? Or how about one of eight F40 or 12 P40 locomotives? Starting today through Nov. 2, Amtrak is offering […]

Read More…

Amtrak to sell Parlour Cars, locomotives as surplus NEWSWIRE

AmtrakSurplusBEEP

TRAINS: Steve Sweeney/ Source: Amtrak BEECH GROVE, Ind. — Amtrak on Wednesday announced that it is soliciting bids for 48 pieces of equipment located at its Beech Grove, Ind., and Bear and Wilmington, Del., shops that it now considers surplus. The lot made up mostly of diesel locomotives and baggage cars, as well as all […]

Read More…

New Amtrak station opens in Schenectady, N.Y. NEWSWIRE

Amtrak logo

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Two weeks ahead of schedule, Schenectady’s new Amtrak station has opened. The $23 million facility opened Wednesday, with Lt. Gov Kathy Hochul participating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony and saying, “This telegraphs to the world that we’re prepared for the future,” according to the Albany Times-Union. It is the third new station on […]

Read More…

Trespasser escapes oncoming freight train, but is killed by coming Amtrak train NEWSWIRE

SEATTLE — A South Carolina man leapt from in front of an oncoming freight train, only to succumb to a passing Amtrak train south of Seattle on Sunday, the News Tribune reports.  The Tacoma, Wash., news outlet cites a local public safety official saying that a transient man in his 20s was trespassing on railroad […]

Read More…

Amtrak workers protest possible job cuts from food changes NEWSWIRE

FoodGallery01

An Amtrak boxed meal of the type served on the Capitol Limited and Lake Shore Limited. Amtrak workers protested possible food-service job losses on Wednesday in New York. Bob Johnston NEW YORK — Amtrak workers and union leaders staged a protest outside Penn Station on Wednesday, saying the company is preparing to lay off up […]

Read More…

New Mexico village rises to challenge of losing Amtrak agent NEWSWIRE

AmtrakLamystation

It’s a blustery fall day as Amtrak’s westbound Southwest Chief makes the station stop at Lamy, N.M., the railhead for passengers to and from Santa Fe. William P. Diven Harvey the station cat named for Santa Fe Railway icon Fred Harvey tolerates attention from Steven Lucero, one of the volunteers staffing the Lamy, N.M., depot […]

Read More…