Amtrak – Page 40 – Railfanning.org

Sanford Amtrak Auto Train Station to Receive Federal Support

March 30, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. John L. Mica, R-Fla., applauded Vice President Joe Biden’s announcement that out of the $1.3 billion that Amtrak will receive from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, $10.5 million will be spent on reconstruction of the Sanford Auto Train terminal. This funding will be spent immediately, with construction beginning in April and a projected completion date of October 2010. “We hope to enhance the Auto Train experience by giving Amtrak passengers a decent facility for their arrivals in and departures from Central Florida. The new 600-seat station will make up for the sparse and inadequate reception

Amtrak: Sleeping Car Service to be Restored between Boston and Chicago

March 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — The Amtrak Lake Shore Limited will offer sleeping car service between Chicago and Boston “to better suit our passengers needs,” starting with the eastbound departure of Trains 48/448 on April 2 from Chicago and the westbound departure of Trains 49/449 from New York and Boston on April 4, Amtrak said. The eastbound Train 48/448 will depart Chicago an hour earlier than the existing schedule, also effective on April 4. The restoration of sleeping car service provides a higher level of comfort than can be provided in coach for passengers riding to and from Boston (South Station) and the

Amtrak Details ‘Stimulus’ Projects

March 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Amtrak has released a list of capital projects to be funded by $1.3 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration, the highlights of the list include railcar and locomotive restoration to augment the current fleet, projects to bring stations into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), facility improvements, track, bridge and signal replacements and upgrades. “These Amtrak projects fulfill all of the objectives of the ARRA, and more. They are ‘shovel-ready;’ they will improve the efficiency and accessibility of Amtrak trains and facilities; and we estimate they will

NTSB to Discuss 2007 Amtrak Wreck

March 26, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a public Board meeting March 31 on its investigation of a collision of Amtrak(National Railroad Passenger Corporation) and Norfolk Southern Railway Company (Norfolk Southern) trains near Chicago. At 11:23 a.m. on Nov. 30, 2007, Amtrak’s Pere Marquette, consisting of one locomotive and three passenger cars, struck the rear of standing Norfolk Southern freight train 23M. The forward portion of the Amtrak locomotive came to rest on top of a container on the rear car of the freight train. Sixty-six passengers and five crewmembers were transported to hospitals; 2 passengers and one

Billions in Taxpayers’ Money to Fund Railroad Projects

March 24, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Taxpayers’ money is flowing toward a number of rail-related projects nationwide, thanks to a massive spending plan from President Obama’s administration. The Department of Transportation plans to direct $8 billion toward the develop of high speed passenger rail corridors. Officials contend the newer and faster trains, which can travel up to 200 m.p.h., will ease congestion on the nation’s highways and at airports. The government is also giving Amtrak, $1.3 billion for infrastructure upgrades and expanding passenger rail capacity. “We subsidize our highways and airports more than we subsidize Amtrak,” said Vice President Joe Biden. “So let’s get

Amtrak Cascades Celebrates 10 Years of Passenger Rail Service in Pacific Northwest

March 23, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Amtrak and the Oregon Department of Transportation are celebrating 10 years of Amtrak Cascades passenger rail service in the Pacific Northwest (Eugene, Ore. to Vancouver, B.C.). Amtrak Cascades is commemorating its 10th anniversary May 9 with a special celebration during the National Train Day event on at Seattle’s King Street Station. “Amtrak Cascades has proven to be a valuable transportation option for Washington travelers,” said Paula Hammond, Washington Transportation Secretary. “Whether people are exploring unique Northwest towns and attractions or making an important business connection in urban centers, this rail

Amtrak: Discover the Rail Way on National Train Day

March 23, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Amtrak will celebrate America’s love for rail travel with events across the country at its second annual National Train Day, May 9, 2009. Marking 140 years of connecting travelers from coast to coast, National Train Day commemorates the day the first transcontinental railroad was created and looks toward the future of rail travel with large scale events in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles, and many more locally organized events in communities nationwide. “Train travel is deeply rooted in American culture and it shows great promise to become a growing part of our country’s transportation future,” said

Amtrak Opens Search To Find and Honor Retired Pullman Porters

March 20, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

ATLANTA — Amtrak, as part of its ongoing celebration of the contributions of Pullman Porters to the development of the nation’s passenger railroad, is issuing a call for contact information for retired Pullman Porters currently living in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.Retired Pullman Porters, their friends and family, may contact Amtrak by calling Saunya Connelly at (202) 906-4164 or emailing her at connels@amtrak.com. Respondents should be prepared to provide the following information: Porter’s full name, telephone number, mailing address, age, years of railroad service, and routes

Amtrak Unveils ‘My Track To Success’ Testimonial Campaign Targeting Multicultural Consumers in the Northeast Corridor

March 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Amtrak and its multicultural agency IMAGES USA unveiled a new Acela Express advertising campaign targeted to African American and Hispanic consumers entitled, “My Track to Success.” The print and online campaign features African American and Hispanic business leaders, community leaders, and entrepreneurs including sports commentator James Brown; former Washington, D.C., Mayor Sharon Pratt; celebrity photographer Johnny Nunez; and Ballet Hispanico director Tina Ramirez. The testimonial-style campaign features images of African American and Hispanic business travelers who are also loyal Acela Express passengers. Via personal testimonials, they share their thoughts about the experience and benefits of traveling on Acela.

First Major U.S., U.K. Exchange of Railroad Security and Counterterrorism Practices

March 2, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

Members of the Amtrak Police Department (APD), Amtrak Office of Security Strategy and Special Operations (OSSSO) and British Transport Police (BTP) this week will jointly patrol several train stations along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor as part of the first major U.S. & U.K. exchange of railroad security and counterterrorism practices.