Kan moves ahead, Batory still stalled

The United States Senate has advanced President Trump’s pick for the number-three post at the Department of Transportation, squashing protests from three of the four Democrats representing New York and New Jersey, who want the Administration to commit to the federal share of the multi-billion-dollar Northeast Corridor Gateway Program. However, the number-one spot at the Federal Railroad Administration remains trapped in a contentious game of political maneuvering.

Commentary

Guest Blog: Amtrak—another accident waiting to happen?

Editor’s note: Joe McMahon is a retired Amtrak locomotive engineer. His career in engine service spanned 1963 to 2014, beginning with the New York, New Haven & Hartford and concluding with Amtrak in 2014. McMahon says he “experienced many different forms of railroad management techniques at five railroads, and Amtrak is at the bottom of the list.” Following is his opinion on Amtrak’s hiring and training practices, which he describes as unsafe.

Passenger rail returns to Roanoke

Thirty-eight years after the last passenger train departed Roanoke, Va., Amtrak has restored service to this historic and culturally significant city of just over 300,000 nestled in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, extending Northeast Regional service south from Lynchburg. This marks the fourth expansion of Amtrak service in the Commonwealth of Virginia since 2009, following new or additional service to Lynchburg, Richmond, and Norfolk.

Amtrak thinning non-agreement ranks

Amtrak has instituted a Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP) to reduce the number of non-agreement (non-union) employees. The railroad is offering what it’s calling a “generous incentive program” to those who volunteer to leave by Dec. 31—but they must be approved for the program. If enough people don’t step forward, the next step will be layoffs.

Portal Bridge replacement project officially begins

Replacement of  Portal Bridge, a two-track 110-year-old swing span structure linking New Jersey and New York City on the Northeast Corridor, is under way. A recent groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of construction.

Amtrak names Griffin Chief Marketing Officer

Airline industry marketing veteran J. Timothy “Tim” Griffin joined Amtrak on Oct. 16 as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, responsible for Marketing, Passenger Experience, Northeast Corridor Business Development, State Supported Services Business Development, Long Distance Services Business Development, and Product Support and Management. He will report directly to President and Co-CEO Richard Anderson, who also hails from the airline industry.

Avelia Liberty look revealed

Amtrak’s Avelia Liberty, the Alstom-built integrated high-speed trainset that will replace the equipment currently used to provide Amtrak’s premium Acela Express service on the Northeast Corridor, will be significantly different in design and livery that its predecessor. The trainset sports four exterior colors: white and blue, with red accents and gray power car noses.

Westmoreland named to Amtrak board

President Donald J. Trump has named former Republican Congressman Leon Acton “Lynn” Westmoreland of Georgia—who as a member of Congress voted at least twice to defund Amtrak—to the Amtrak Board of Directors for a five-year term.

WSDOT expands Cascades services

Ahead of the year-end holidays, the Washington State Department of Transportation is starting two additional Amtrak Cascades daily round-trips between Seattle and Portland.

Amtrak CUS Great Hall work under way

Amtrak’s $22 million project to restore and improve historic Chicago Union Station’s Great Hall is under way. The year-long project will result in a public space painted in its original colors, and made brighter by a restored and protected skylight with improved lighting.

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