Amtrak – Page 36 – Railfanning.org

Amtrak: Niantic Bridge Closure Schedule Supports Boaters and Bridge Construction Through Oct. 15

August 25, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — Discussions between Amtrak, East Lyme Selectman Paul Formica, the U.S. Coast Guard and local boaters and marine businesses have resulted in an agreement that officials say balances the use of the Niantic River channel by the marine community and the need to keep the bridge replacement project moving forward and on schedule.

Amtrak Adds Weekend Stops in Michigan City, Ind.

August 19, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

Amtrak has added special stops in Michigan City, Ind., on three Wolverine Service trains during selected Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, through November 8.

Town Of Normal, Ill., and Amtrak Break Ground for Multimodal Transportation Center

August 16, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

NORMAL, Ill. – Federal and state officials joined representatives of the Town of Normal and Amtrak today to ceremonially break ground for a Multimodal Transportation Center that will serve as a station for Amtrak rail and motorcoach passengers, local transit buses and will include a multi-level parking structure.

N.J. Transit Applies for High Speed Rail Funding

August 13, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

N.J. Transit said it is seeking $885 million in new federal funding for the renewal and replacement of key infrastructure on the Northeast Corridor, such as aging bridges, power supply and signal systems between Trenton and New York City.

Amtrak Board Extends Boardman’s Contract

July 31, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

At the July 29 Amtrak board of directors meeting, the board voted unanimously to extend the contract of current President and CEO Joseph Boardman through 2013.

Amtrak Cascades Continues with Record Ridership Growth in 2010

July 31, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

SEATTLE – Amtrak Cascades has taken 2010 by storm with double-digit ridership growth and record breaking totals each month this year. The second quarter of 2010 finished as the highest second quarter since 1994 with a total of 214,641 passengers. Compared to the second quarter of 2009, this is an increase of over 25,000 and nearly 12 percent. The first quarter of 2010 also had record ridership with an increase of nearly 34,000 riders over 2009. “The growth of Amtrak Cascades this year has been phenomenal and is a strong indicator of the demand for this service” said Scott Witt,

Amtrak Calfornia’s San Joaquin Service Increases Capacity by 25 Percent

July 31, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

OAKLAND – Amtrak’s San Joaquin corridor is experiencing unprecedented ridership through California’s Central Valley this summer. As a result, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and Amtrak California have added passenger cars to meet this demand. Currently all twelve of the daily San Joaquin trains operate with a four-car configuration. Now through Labor Day, a fifth car will be added to at least six of the busiest trains that serve the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento and the San Joaquin Valley. The additional car will increase capacity by 25 percent, allowing an additional 88 passengers to comfortably ride Amtrak California’s

Amtrak Buying 130 New Passenger Rail Cars to Support Long-Distance Train Service

July 31, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Amtrak is implementing the first step in a long-term, comprehensive fleet renewal plan with the purchase of 130 new single-level rail cars to support its long-distance train services. The five-year, $298.1 million contract is being awarded to CAF USA which is creating 575 jobs to perform manufacturing and final assembly work at its plant in Elmira, N.Y. The first car is scheduled to roll off the assembly line in October 2012. “This major equipment purchase demonstrates our strong belief in the future of intercity passenger rail in America and Amtrak’s leading role in meeting this critical national transportation

MDOT and Amtrak Break Ground for New Station in Pontiac

July 23, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

PONTIAC, Mich. – Top officials with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Amtrak joined representatives of the city of Pontiac and Greyhound today to break ground for the new Pontiac Transportation Center, which will serve intercity rail and bus passengers. The intermodal station project is funded with $1.4 million from the state’s Comprehensive Transportation Fund account. Located at 51000 Woodward Ave., the facility will serve as a hub for travel, including the six daily Amtrak Wolverine Service trains to and from Detroit and Chicago. More than 300,000 passengers have taken Wolverine Service trains this fiscal year. “We believe that

Amtrak Virginia Introduces Additional Service between Richmond and Washington

July 9, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

RICHMOND, Va. — Beginning July 20, Amtrak Virginia expands daily round-trip service between Richmond and Washington. With this new train, hourly morning departures are available from Richmond’s Staples Mill Station to the Northeast Corridor and more convenient afternoon return trips are available from Washington, DC. The total number of morning departures from Richmond to Washington is now five, with six return departures available in the afternoon and evening. The new frequency between Richmond and Washington is the second state-supported train in Virginia which became Amtrak’s 15th state partner with the launch of service between Lynchburg and the Northeast Corridor last