Amtrak

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Feds: $26.5 Million to Improve Reliability and Reduce Delays on North Carolina Passenger Trains

September 23, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON – The feds have awarded $26.5 million to the North Carolina Department of Transportation to improve reliability and reduce delays on Amtrak service in eastern North Carolina. The resulting improvements are centered in the area between Rocky Mount, N.C. and Petersburg, Va., and will improve service for both the Amtrak Carolinian line, which runs between New York City and Charlotte, N.C., and the Amtrak long distance trains that run between New York City and Florida, federal officials said. “This project will not only bring jobs to the region, but will also reduce delays between New York, Washington, Raleigh, and
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Amtrak Virginia to Norfolk to Start Dec. 12

September 22, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
RICHMOND, Va. – Amtrak Virginia’s Northeast Regional service extension to and from Norfolk will start Dec. 12, providing a same-seat trip from Norfolk to Washington, D.C., Baltimore, New York City and as far north as Boston. Tickets are now available for purchase. “The partnership between the Commonwealth and Amtrak to bring an Amtrak Virginia station to the city of Norfolk reflects my administration’s commitment to continue to make progress in improving our transportation networks for the state,” Gov. Bob McDonnell said. “By providing the citizens of Virginia an alternative way to get to and from Southside Hampton Roads, it takes
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Feds Award More than $74 Million to Further Development of the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor in Virginia

September 20, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON – The federal government has awarded more than $74.8 million to the Commonwealth of Virginia to continue development of the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor. The funding will help improve passenger and freight rail service between Virginia and Washington, D.C. and reduce delays on the Virginia Rail Express (VRE) commuter service, according to the feds. “The Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor between Charlotte and Washington D.C. serves one of the fastest growing regions in the country, which is why it is critical to eliminate congestion points so that intercity passenger, freight and commuter rail can all run smoothly without delays,” U.S.
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Amtrak Ridership Sets 11 Consecutive Monthly Records

September 13, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON –Amtrak ridership is surging this year with 11 consecutive monthly ridership records. In each month of the current fiscal year, Amtrak has posted the highest ridership total ever for that particular month (i.e., the best October ever, the best November ever, etc.) with the final month of September also expected to be a new record. In addition, July was the single best ridership month in the history of Amtrak. “All across America the demand to travel by Amtrak is strong, growing and undeniable,” said President and CEO Joe Boardman. “Amtrak continues to deliver on its mission to fulfill a
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Upgraded Seattle Amtrak Maintenance Facility Ready To Service Passenger Equipment

August 26, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
OAKLAND – The completion of Phase I and Phase II of a major upgrade of the Seattle Maintenance Facility is being celebrated today by Amtrak and its partners. The facilities support Amtrak operations and maintenance agreements in the Pacific Northwest for the Empire Builder, Coast Starlight, Amtrak Cascades, and Sounder commuter trains. The upgraded and new facilities will dramatically improve the capacity, efficiency and working conditions of the shops that perform inspections, testing and maintenance of locomotives and passenger rail equipment. It is a modern and efficient facility capable of handling the current work levels as well as projected future
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Amtrak Niantic River Bridge Replacement Project Reaches Significant Milestone

March 27, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
NEW YORK— Amtrak is reaching a significant milestone in its efforts to replace the existing 104-year old Niantic River Bridge in East Lyme, Conn., with the float-in of the new bascule lift span to the new alignment south of the existing bridge. After the float-in of the new bridge span is completed later today, crews will begin the process of connecting it to the new pivot girders located on the land side of the marine channel. As a result, access to the channel beneath the structure will be closed to the maritime community beginning March 26, through March 30 to
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Amtrak to More Than Triple the Number of Track-Miles Equipped with Positive Train Control

March 25, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON – By the end of 2012, Amtrak expects to more than triple the number of track-miles on its own railroad where Positive Train Control (PTC) safety technology is installed as part of an aggressive program begun more than two years ago. “PTC is the most important rail safety advancement of our time and Amtrak is strongly committed to its expanded use to enhance safety for our passengers, employees and others with whom we share the tracks across our national network,” said President and CEO Joe Boardman. PTC technology can control train movements to prevent train-to-train collisions, derailments caused by
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Amtrak exploring feeder bus routes on Crescent route

October 24, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire
ATLANTA — Amtrak could add bus routes to cities located near, but not along, its Crescent route, which the railroad believes will increase “ridership and revenue while expanding the reach of the intercity passenger rail network,” the railroad said in a recent report. Such bus routes would connect the Atlanta Amtrak station with Macon, Ga.; Columbus, Ga.; Dalton, Ga.; and Chattanooga, Tenn.; the railroad indicated. Amtrak estimates annual ridership on the routes would exceed 17,000 passengers and result in a net revenue of $600,000 per year. The bus service is just one of several upgrades the railroad is considering making
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Amtrak considering changes to Crescent

October 23, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire
ATLANTA — Amtrak is considering running shorter versions of the Crescent passenger train between Atlanta and New Orleans to save money because of lower ridership numbers, according to a recent report from the passenger railroad. According to the report, Amtrak could “shorten the train south of Atlanta by switching off of the train two or three coaches, the lounge car, and one locomotive. These cars would be serviced at Atlanta during the day and added to the evening northbound train back to New York.” The Crescent runs daily between New York and New Orleans via Atlanta. Amtrak believes the “proposal