Amtrak sets another ridership record

Amtrak set an all-time record for the most passengers in one month—2.9 million—for the month of July 2013, a 4.8% year-over-year increase.

Amtrak, NS, Commonwealth of Virginia embark on service extension to Roanoke

Amtrak, Norfolk Southern, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the City of Roanoke have joined together to start work to extend Amtrak regional intercity passenger rail service from Lynchburg to Roanoke, the “Star City.”

FRA issues RFP for PRIIA 305 HrSR locomotives

The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) for 35 high-performance diesel-electric locomotives built to standardized technical specifications developed by the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA) Section 305 Next Generation Corridor Equipment Pool Committee.

Amtrak ACS-64 testing under way

Amtrak’s new ACS-64 (Cities Sprinter) electric locomotives from Siemens Mobility are now in a comprehensive and rigorous testing program in preparation for entering service on the Washington-Philadelphia-New York-Boston Northeast Corridor and Philadelphia-Harrisburg Keystone Corridor this fall.

Oregon marks debut of state-owned Talgo gear

The first Oregon-owned Talgo passenger train to enter intercity passenger service made its official debut in Eugene, Ore., last week at a ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by numerous Oregon state and local officials, Amtrak representatives, and executives from Seattle-based Talgo Inc.

Stamford, Conn., station area plan unveiled

Stamford, Conn., interests unveiled a transit-oriented development (TOD) plan Thursday, July 11, 2013, designed in part to better tap passenger flows generated by the city’s train station, served by both Metro-North and Amtrak.

Commentary

Amtrak’s Sisyphean struggle to run on time

Benito Mussolini infamously made Italian passenger trains run on time, but Fascism is hardly the answer for Amtrak.

Amtrak commits to hiring more veterans

Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman announced June 26, 2013, that the railroad is setting a goal of 25% of new-hires to be veterans by 2015. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Calif.), and Director of Administration and Management, Office of the Secretary of Defense Michael L. Rhodes joined Boardman at a ceremony to announce the hiring initiative and unveil a locomotive to honor veterans.

AAR to Congress: Freight rail strong and flexible—and the backbone of passenger rail

In two days of testimony before two separate U.S. House of Representatives transportation panels, Association of American Railroads President and CEO Edward R. Hamberger emphasized that “billions in annual privately funded rail infrastructure investments have made America’s rail network vital to U.S. competitiveness in the global supply chain,” and those investments spent on infrastructure and maintenance “provide a world-class foundation for America’s intercity passenger and commuter rail operations.”

Amtrak Niantic River Bridge replacement completed

Amtrak has completed its three-year Niantic River Bridge Replacement Project, “which provides improved operational reliability for rail passengers along the Northeast Corridor with increased train speeds, less disruption to the boating community, and expanded beach access to area residents,” the railroad said on Monday, June 24.
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