Amtrak – Page 46 – Railfanning.org

Amtrak Opens Search To Find and Honor Retired Pullman Porters

March 20, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

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.

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.

Ridership on Amtrak Cascades Hits All-Time Record in 2008

February 20, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Ridership on Amtrak Cascades continued to grow substantially in 2008 carrying a total of 774,421 passengers. This represents a 14.4 percent increase over 2007 and the highest annual ridership since the inception of Amtrak Cascades service 10 years ago. “While we suspect high gas prices last summer helped entice people to try Amtrak Cascades, we think the excellent service and convenience for travelers will continue to stimulate even more growth in Amtrak Cascades ridership,” said Paula Hammond, Washington Transportation Secretary. “Amtrak Cascades is a great investment for Washington and provides motorists with yet another travel option.” Compared

Amtrak Guest Rewards and Broadway’s Official Loyalty Program Join Forces

February 18, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Amtrak Guest Rewards and Audience Rewards, the Official Loyalty Program of Broadway, announced an exciting new marketing partnership designed to promote and make theatre more accessible to Amtrak Guest Rewards members. Members of Amtrak’s program can transfer their points into Audience Rewards ShowPoints and Audience Rewards members can convert their ShowPoints to Amtrak Guest Rewards points. “Amtrak is a critical marketing partner for Broadway given the access and reach it provides to potential theatre goers from major markets such at Boston, Providence, New Haven, Philadelphia, and the Washington D.C. area. We believe this partnership will create exciting marketing

Two-Day Black History Month Celebration at Philadelphia 30th Street Station

February 18, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Amtrak 30th Street Station in Philadelphia will celebrate Black History Month on Feb. 26 and 27, in the North Arcade reception area at the station. The celebration will take place from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm each day. The day will feature an array of talented African American entertainers showcasing poetry, spoken word, dramatic presentations, instrumental performances, individual singers, chorale lyricists and interpretive dancers. There will also be motivational and inspirational speakers throughout the day. A diverse group of individuals will be represented with participants ranging from ages 6-60. Local politicians have been invited to speak or participate

Amtrak Celebrates Black History Month with Special Ceremony Honoring Pullman Porters

February 10, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OAKLAND, Calif. – Amtrak, in celebration of Black History Month, partnered with the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum to host a ceremony celebrating the contributions of the legendary Pullman Porters and African-American railroad workers at the Oakland Amtrak Station Feb. 10. Amtrak officials and local dignitaries will gather to honor five porters and dining car waiters who proudly served as far back as the mid-1940s. Honored are Lee Gibson, 98, of Los Angeles, James Smith, 83, of Simi Valley, Samuel Coleman, 80, of Las Vegas, and Troy Walker, 90, and Thomas Gray, 71, of Seattle. “The celebration is an

STB Announces Speakers Lineup

February 6, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board provided a schedule of speakers’ appearances and their time allocations for the Board’s Feb. 11 public hearing on the Board’s new responsibilities under the recently passed Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008. The Act enhances the Board’s role with regard to Amtrak and its relationships with commuter rail operators, host railroads, states and the public.

Feds Greenlight ARC Project

February 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J — The Mass Transit Tunnel, centerpiece of the Access to the Region’s Core (ARC) project, reached a major milestone that clears the way for federal funding and will allow construction to begin this year. The release of a “Record of Decision” by the Federal Transit Administration officially completes the project’s exhaustive environmental review process. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg and Robert Menendez worked extensively to secure this approval from the FTA. The local financing share of $5.7 billion is already committed, including $3 billion from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. New Jersey is now looking

Amtrak Board Names Thomas Carper of Illinois as Chairman

February 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – At its regularly scheduled meeting Jan. 29, Amtrak’s Board of Directors unanimously agreed to name Thomas Carper of Illinois as Chairman of the Board. Carper, who has served in various Illinois state and local government positions, including Mayor of the City of Macomb, has been a director on the Amtrak board since March 2008. At the same meeting former Chairman Donna McLean was named Vice Chairman, replacing Hunter Biden, who remains as a board member. “Everything we have done as a board, we’ve done as a unified body, and this change in our hierarchy is no exception,” Carper