First time to the legislative table: NS, Amtrak and PennDOT in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership has released its testimony from a Aug. 23 hearing regarding increasing rail service to western Pennsylvania. “I think it’s one of the first times that Amtrak, PennDOT and Norfolk Southern were all at the same table answering questions from legislators on this issue,” says Lucinda Beattie, Vice President of Transportation for the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, a business advocacy group focused on the revitalization of Pittsburgh.

TTD celebrates Amtrak-Alstom announcement

Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), issued this statement following the announcement in Wilmington, Del., by Vice President Joe Biden on Alstom’s winning bid in Amtrak’s high speed train purchase:

NCTD ramps up rail trespassing enforcement with jail time

The North County Transit District (NCTD) is significantly increasing enforcement activities against trespassers along both the Oceanside to San Diego and Oceanside to Escondido rail corridors.

Alstom lands Amtrak next-gen NEC trainset contract

No surprise, thanks to Sen. Chuck Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) very public visit to Alstom’s Hornell, N.Y. manufacturing plant on Sept. 21, 2015: Amtrak, as expected, has contracted with Alstom to supply 28 “next-generation high-speed” trainsets that will replace popular yet aging and technically problematic Acela Express equipment.

ASLRRA applauds Amtrak’s selection of Moorman

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) released the following statement by President Linda Bauer Darr in response to the Amtrak Board of Directors’ introduction of Wick Moorman as President and CEO of Amtrak, succeeding Joe Boardman.

Wick Moorman named Amtrak chief executive

Amtrak’s next President and Chief Executive Officer is an experienced and deeply respected Class I freight railroader who brings more than 40 years in railroading to the position: Charles W. “Wick” Moorman, who recently retired as Executive Chairman of Norfolk Southern Corp.

Big weekend for Yankees, and rail?

On a big weekend for the Yankees, recent photos show another big move for the team: to trains.

Charger burning up the rails in Pueblo

Siemens’ new higher-speed Charger diesel-electric passenger locomotive is undergoing a comprehensive testing program at the Transportation Technology Center Inc. (TTCI) in Pueblo, Colo., prior to entry into revenue service in various U.S. locations.

Amtrak prepares RFQ to turn P3 attention to Baltimore Penn Station

Amtrak continues on the public-private partnership (P3) path for Baltimore’s Penn Station. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is in the works, seeking a Master Developer partnership for the station and adjacent properties. Amtrak expects to release the RFQ later this month.

Three states see Southwest Chief renovations

Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman visited Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico last week, along the Southwest Chief route, showing his appreciation of local, state and federal partners for their support of Amtrak and BNSF Railway efforts that began last October to improve passengers’ experiences.

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