BNSF rights-of-way in northwest Washington State have been affected by as many as 15 mudslides, triggered by heavy rain this week in the Pacific Northwest.
Amtrak is bringing a baggage car loaded with relief supplies donated in Slidell, La., to New Jersey communities hit hard by Hurricane Sandy. The aptly named “Train of Hope” is on the northbound Crescent that left New Orleans today (Nov. 9) and is scheduled to arrive in Newark, N.J., on Saturday morning, Nov. 10.
Arlington, Va., voters Tuesday approved a $31.9 million transportation bond by a healthy four-to-one margin, making $14.6 million available for improvements to the WMATA Metrorail. Upgrades in WMATA’s Virginia stations would include larger station platforms to accommodate 8-car trains, and funds to help purchase additional 7000-series cars.
Repairs continue to be made on Amtrak’s system in order to resume service to and from New York City from points south and north on the Northeast Corridor.
Iowa Pacific Holdings, LLC and the Adirondack Rail Preservation Society (ARPS) have reached a Memorandum of Understanding to establish tourist passenger service on the Adirondack Railroad, linking its namesake state park in upstate New York to New York City with Pullman sleeping car service.
Delaware state and federal representatives, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and Amtrak on Thursday marked the ceremonial start of adding a 1.5-mile third track on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor just south of Wilmington.
Another year, another ridership record: Amtrak Wednesday released its fiscal year 2012 ridership results (ending Sept. 30), 31.2 million passengers, up 3.5% from FY11 and the ninth ridership record in the past 10 years.
My conservative friends will not agree with this essay. So be it. I am tired of hearing the demands that Amtrak either show a profit or that it be put to a merciful death.