Amtrak – Page 47 – Railfanning.org

Looking for a bailout: Amtrak stands to receive $1 billion

January 31, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — As part of Congress’ bailout bill, Amtrak could receive $1 billion. The bill is still in the discussion phase. Opponents point to the fact that Amtrak hasn’t made a profit since its inception 35 years ago.

Union Pacific Railroad Invests More Than $6 Million for Track Improvements from Kansas City to Jefferson City

January 30, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Motorists will spend less time at crossings waiting for trains to pass as a result of more than $6 million in track improvements made by Union Pacific Railroad to its Kansas City to Jefferson City line. The track improvements will allow trains to operate more efficiently on the route. When the project is complete, crews will have removed and installed more than 10 miles of rail in various curves between Kansas City and Jefferson City. Work will begin on these projects Feb. 1 and is scheduled to be completed by April 8. The Kansas City to St.

And the Winner is… Missouri River Runner

January 29, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The public has spoken: Missouri River Runner is the new name for the state-supported Amtrak trains between St. Louis and Kansas City. The name evokes the river that parallels much of the route, plus the Mississippi River at the eastern terminus and the Kansas River at the western end, Amtrak said. It was submitted by Keith Kohler of Glendale, Mo., and it received 2,036 votes, or 37 percent of the votes cast. More than 8,300 name submissions were entered late last year. After contest judges narrowed those submissions to just five finalist names, 5,455 votes came

Amtrak to Host ‘Civic Conversation’ in Savannah on Rail Depot Redevelopment & Restoration

January 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — As a part of its Great American Stations Project, Amtrak is hosting its fourth Civic Conversation in Savannah, Ga., Feb. 3 and Feb. 4, to discuss the redevelopment and restoration of passenger rail stations along the routes of the Carolinian, Crescent, Palmetto, Piedmont, Silver Meteor and Silver Star. The Atlantic Coast trains serve passengers between New York and Florida and New Orleans. During the meeting on Feb. 4, case studies from both large and small communities will be highlighted. Representatives of those communities will explain how they shepherded their projects to successes that sparked additional redevelopment in their

Amtrak Handles Crowds for Presidential Inauguration

January 21, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Amtrak trains have been carrying large crowds to and from Washington since Jan. 17, many of the passengers traveling for events associated with the inauguration of President Barack Obama. The railroad estimated that more than 78,000 passengers will have used Amtrak for travel to and from the nation’s capital through Jan. 21, surpassing the same Martin Luther King holiday weekend last year by 63 percent. “This has been a great opportunity for Amtrak to demonstrate its capabilities during a very historic and high-profile time,” Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman said. “The choice of an Amtrak train for

Crescent Trains Temporarily Canceled Between Atlanta and New Orleans

January 20, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

ATLANTA — Due to track work by Norfolk Southern Railway, Amtrak’s Crescent Trains (Nos. 19 and 20) will not operate between Atlanta and New Orleans, La., on a number of dates. Alternate transportation will not be provided. The service will be affected Jan. 26-29, Feb. 2-5, Feb. 9-12 and Feb. 19. Southbound Train 19, which normally operates between New York and New Orleans, will originate in New York and will terminate in Atlanta on the dates shown above. This change affects Train 19 that originates in New York Sunday through Wednesday (Jan. 25-Feb. 18) and arrives in Atlanta the following

OneRail Coalition: Encourage Transportation Policies that IncreaseMobility, Reduce Emissions, Promote Economic Growth

January 19, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Environmental, freight and passenger rail groups have come together with reform-minded transportation experts to form a coalition that will advance rail programs. The coalition, called the OneRail Coalition, said it will encourage public policies recognizing rail as a critical element of the national transportation system and an essential part of the future economic growth and environmental well-being of the nation. Members include American Public Transportation Association, Amtrak, American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association, Association of American Railroads, Building America’s Future, National Association of Railroad Passengers, Natural Resources Defense Council, Railway Supply Institute, States for Passenger Rail Coalition,

Service Alert: Partial Restoration of Amtrak Service in Pacific Northwest

January 9, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

Amtrak will resume partial train service throughout the Pacific Northwest on Jan. 10. Service had been disrupted on several routes due to extreme weather conditions in the region. Full restoration of service for all routes is expected on Jan. 11. Amtrak Cascades There will be no train service the morning or January 10 between Seattle and Portland. Limited train operations will resume in the afternoon. Train service between Seattle and Bellingham or Vancouver, B.C. will remain suspended in the morning, with alternative motorcoach transportation provided. Normal train operations will resume in the afternoon. Train service between Portland and Eugene, Ore.

Mica: U.S. Takes Next Step Toward High-Speed Passenger Rail

January 2, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation has taken the next step in bringing true high-speed passenger rail to the United States, for the first time requesting private sector participation in the design, finance, construction, operation and maintenance of high-speed service, Rep. John L. Mica, R-Fla., said. “This is the most exciting development in U.S. passenger rail in years,” Mica said. “High-speed rail is an efficient, effective and environmentally friendly method of transportation, and a much-needed alternative to our congested highways and airspace.” Last month, the U.S. Department of Transportation will begin accepting expressions of interest to finance, design, build,

FRA Issues Record of Decision for the Replacement of 100 Year-Old Portal Bridge Over Hackensack River in New Jersey

December 31, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a Record of Decision for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Portal Bridge Capacity Enhancement Project over the Hackensack River, between Secaucus and Kearny, N.J. The FEIS, prepared in cooperation with Amtrak and New Jersey Transit, considered four build alternatives in addition to a No Action Alternative. The FRA has decided to proceed with the alternative which includes a three-track fixed northern bridge, a two-track moveable southern bridge built on a new southern alignment, and a track over track grade separation to eliminate crossover movements. This alternative is expected