Amtrak

WASHINGTON – To raise awareness of the vital role rail plays in our nation’s transportation system, Amtrak announced that it will celebrate its first annual National Train Day during six weeks of celebrations culminating on May 10. “With ridership growing to record levels, we continue to see a strong demand for rail travel as a link between growing communities,” said Alex Kummant, President and CEO of Amtrak. “Passenger and freight service is on the rise, and there’s never been a better time to celebrate the railroad industry and passenger rail service in the U.S.” Amtrak’s celebration of National Train Day

CHICAGO – A Cook County, Ill., jury returned a $2.5 million verdict against Amtrak for not maintaining a safe work environment in an engine at Chicago’s Union Station, a Chicago law firm said. A 59-year-old engineer’s back injury required two operations and a claimed inability to return to work. Amtrak argued that the engineer had planned to retire within 8 months of the accident, which was disputed by the engineer, and showed excerpts from 5 years of secret surveillance videos of the plaintiff to the jury claiming the engineer was exaggerating, faking, and/or hiding the unrelated real cause for his

WASHINGTON – Amtrak, in partnership with the A. Philip Randolph Museum, hosted a ceremony Feb. 25 at Washington Union Station to honor the contributions of the legendary Pullman Porters to the nation’s railroads. Amtrak employees gathered to give heartfelt thanks in person to three Pullman Porters who proudly served as far back as the mid-1940s.& Honored were E. Donald Hughes, retired sleeping car porter, from Columbia, Md., William H. Costen, retired chair car porter, from Hartford, Conn., and Thomas E. Dunn, retired dining car cook, from Washington, D.C. “Today’s celebration is an opportunity for Amtrak’s current employees to express their

WASHINGTON – Amtrak 30th Street Station in Philadelphia will celebrate Black History Month on February 29, in the North Arcade reception area at the station. The celebration will take place from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. 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 in the celebration. In