Amtrak FY 2015 budget: “Something has to change”

For its Fiscal Year 2015, which begins Oct. 1, 2014, Amtrak is requesting $1.62 billion in federal capital and operating support, an increase of approximately 16% from FY 2014 federal appropriations. But more important, said Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman, fundamental changes are needed in how the U.S. government financially supports intercity passenger rail.

LA Union Station rehab work proceeds

Los Angeles’ Union Station main entrance closed for repair work on Monday, March 17, 2014, part of a larger effort by Metro to restore the historic station to a state of good repair.

Testing continues for St. Paul Green Line

Minnesota’s Metropolitan Council alerted residents of St. Paul Thursday, March 13, 2014 of more testing along the soon-to-open Green Line light rail transit project, this time involving tests of audio announcements on Friday, March 14.

Amtrak’s Boardman honored as Railroader of the Year

Joseph H. Boardman, President and CEO of Amtrak, accepted Railway Age’s 2014 Railroader of the Year Award on March 11 at a dinner at Chicago’s Union League Club attended by more than 400 of his industry colleagues. Boardman accepted the award, the magazine’s 51st, giving recognition to the dedication and hard work of Amtrak employees all across the nation.

Amtrak sets key 2014 capital projects

During 2014, Amtrak plans to move forward on key capital improvement projects, including continued installation of PTC (Positive Train Control) safety technology, the start of major construction to upgrade Northeast Corridor high speed rail, and expansion of station accessibility for passengers with disabilities.

SPECIAL REPORT: Keeping Railroads Healthy

Railroads are operating at peak safety, profitabilty, and productivity levels. Let’s keep them that way.

NARP President Capon steps down

Ross Capon, the face of the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) for 39 years on Capitol Hill, is stepping down from his role as president, and apparently will retire from the organization at year’s end.

PBS documentary traces Penn Station’s rise, fall

The PBS series AMERICAN EXPERIENCE will premiere “The Rise and Fall of Penn Station,” produced by Randall MacLowry, on Feb. 18, 2014 at 8:00 p.m.

Amtrak’s ACS-64 is on the move

The first of Amtrak’s 70 new ACS-64 electric locomotives from Siemens Rail Systems U.S. entered revenue service on the Boston-New York-Washington D.C. Northeast Corridor on the morning of Feb. 7, 2014, hauling Northeast Regional train no. 171 south from Boston.
Commentary

Where does the buck stop on HSR and Amtrak?

That President Obama mentioned not a word on high speed rail or Amtrak in his State of the Union speech reflects on the rather dreadful manner in which his administration has pursued the presidential vision in support of expanded rail passenger service.

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