Amtrak – Page 30 – Railfanning.org

Amtrak Says Transportation Must Be the Centerpiece of Any Plan to Transform Northeast Corridor

June 16, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman issued the following statement today regarding proposed legislation by House Transportation Committee Chairman John Mica and House Railroad Subcommittee Chairman Bill Shuster on privatizing the Northeast Corridor and the Amtrak national network: “Any plan for transforming the Northeast Corridor (NEC) must make transportation the centerpiece of the effort. The NEC is not just a piece of real estate – it is a major transportation artery and a vital component of the regional economy carrying more than 250,000 intercity and commuter passengers every day. “The Mica/Shuster proposal takes Amtrak apart only to put

Amtrak Expands Rail Security Efforts with Increased Right of Way Protection

June 15, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Amtrak is expanding its comprehensive rail security efforts to provide increased right of way (ROW) protection to detect and deter terrorists seeking to derail passenger trains, testified Amtrak Chief of Police John O’Connor before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

Jeffrey Geary to Lead Amtrak Operations

June 14, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Jeffrey E. Geary is joining Amtrak as vice president of operations to provide leadership and oversight of the transportation, engineering and mechanical departments.

Amtrak: Illinois High-Speed Rail Corridor Work Continues

June 14, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO – Upgrading of approximately ninety-six miles of railroad track, including installation of 110,000 railroad ties for future high-speed Amtrak trains, will resume June 16.

May Marks 19 Consecutive Months of Amtrak Ridership Growth

June 11, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – May marked 19 consecutive months of year-over-year ridership growth for Amtrak, was the best May ever with more than 2.6 million passengers, keeping the railroad on track to set another annual ridership record.

Amtrak: Connecticut Bridge Projects Show Significant Progress

May 26, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK – Amtrak work on its three Connecticut movable bridge projects remains on-schedule for completion. Two of the three federally-funded projects are on pace to be concluded sometime in 2013, with work to replace the railroad bridge over the Pattaganset River (Miamicock) in East Lyme scheduled to be completed next month.

Amtrak Pursuing Private Investment to Support Northeast Corridor High-Speed Rail Plans

May 23, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Amtrak said it is developing a business plan that will maximize the opportunity for private investment to finance the construction of infrastructure and the acquisition of equipment required to provide 220 mph (354 kph) next-generation high-speed rail service in the Northeast Corridor.

Illinois High-Speed Rail Corridor Work Continues

May 18, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO – Upgrading of approximately ninety-six miles of railroad track, including installation of a quarter-million railroad ties for future high-speed Amtrak trains, will resume May 20. This work will lead to the substitution of chartered motorcoaches for some Lincoln Service trains and the detour of the Texas Eagle between Chicago and St. Louis. The temporary changes will allow Union Pacific Railroad crews to improve infrastructure to allow Amtrak service at speeds up to 110 mph, an increase from the current maximum of 79 mph. The Illinois Department of Transportation anticipates operation of some Lincoln Service trains at speeds up to

LaHood Announces $2 Billion for High-Speed Intercity Rail Projects

May 12, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced $2 billion in high-speed rail awards providing an unprecedented investment to speed up trains in the Northeast Corridor, expand service in the Midwest and provide new, state-of-the-art locomotives and rail cars.

Amtrak Ridership Surges in April

May 12, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON –Amtrak ridership surged in April to be the best April on record and extends the national passenger railroad’s streak to 18 consecutive months of year-over-year ridership growth.