Amtrak – Page 62 – Railfanning.org

Acela Express Cafe Cars Introduce Wireless Processing of Credit Cards

August 4, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Enjoying a quick bite to eat on the train is now even more convenient as Amtrak has introduced wireless electronic credit card processing terminals to complete credit card transactions in all Acela Express café cars. Using the new devices, service attendants are now able to get instant authorizations from credit card companies. Previously, attendants needed to hand write ticket and passenger information on paper forms for credit card acceptance. The processing terminals accept all major credit cards, and there are no minimum purchase requirements. For purchases under $25, receipts are issued only when requested by the customer. Currently,

Amtrak’s Kissimmee Station Presented Award for Excellence in Safety

August 4, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Amtrak station here was recently honored with a special award for Safety Excellence in recognition of the station’s safety performance in maintaining an injury-free workplace for more than 25 years. “It gives the City of Kissimmee a tremendous sense of pride to have an employer in our community that has such an impressive track record and places a high premium on safety issues for both the public and its employees,” said Kissimmee Mayor Linda Goodwin-Nichols. The Kissimmee Amtrak Station serves two of Amtrak’s Silver Service trains – the Silver Meteor and the Silver Star, traveling between

Amtrak Pennsylvania Keystone Service Ridership Continues to Grow

July 28, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Amtrak Keystone Corridor trains, which operate between Harrisburg, Pa.; Philadelphia; and New York, continue to attract more riders, thanks to recent significant capital investments along the corridor underwritten in part by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Amtrak said. During the month of June, the Keystone service carried 72,091 passengers — a 20 percent increase over June 2005. Since the beginning of Amtrak’s fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2005) through June 30, 2006, Keystone ridership has increased nearly 13 percent to 615,124 passengers, according to Amtrak. "The Keystone service trains are continuing to deliver reliable service for our passengers every day,

Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle Trains Canceled Due to Union Pacific Derailment

July 27, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

Due to Union Pacific freight derailment at Glamis, Ariz., Amtrak Sunset Limited trains 2(26) and 1(27) are cancelled along the entire route with no alternate transportation. Texas Eagle train 21/421(27) is cancelled west of San Antonio, Texas, with no alternate transportation. Passengers traveling to Phoenix, Tucson, El Paso and St. Louis will be re-accommodated on the Southwest Chief train 4 where they will board buses at Flagstaff, Albuquerque and Kansas City to their final destinations. The railroad is estimated to reopen by Friday, July 28.

New York Sergeant Named Amtrak Police Officer of the Year

July 24, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

ISELIN, N.J. – Sergeant Kenneth Metz of Aberdeen, N.J., has been named the Amtrak Police Department’s Officer of the Year. Sergeant Metz received this prestigious, nationwide award in recognition of his many contributions to the corporation and the department. He has displayed exemplary performance of his duties. Sergeant Metz began his career with the Amtrak Police Department in 1990, working uniformed patrol in New York and New Jersey. Sergeant Metz was recently promoted to his current rank and is assigned to patrol duty in the New York Division. "Sergeant Metz has maintained a consistent and diligent effort to provide the

Amtrak: Service to Return to Normal

June 26, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Amtrak train service in the east is scheduled to return to normal operation on June 27, after heavy rains caused delays and cancellations in the Washington area. Service to and from points north of Washington resumed at 6:30 a.m. June 26 after high water caused some train cancellations, the railroad said. Most service south of Washington was canceled June 26, but is slated to resume normal operation on June 27, barring further weather-related problems. Meanwhile, Virginia Railway Express cancelled service on both lines June 26 due to flooded conditions, washouts and trees down. Service for June 27 was

Amtrak Crescent Service to be Restored April 3

March 31, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Service by the Amtrak Crescent train will be restored to its full New York-New Orleans route, effective April 3, following the early completion of track work by the Norfolk Southern Railway. The service had not operated Monday-Thursday between Atlanta and New Orleans since March 6 due to the work. The track work, performed between Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Meridian, Miss., was originally scheduled to be finished April 12. However, NS officials have told Amtrak their work will be complete in time for full service to resume April 3. "We appreciate the great work by NS in making the track

Good News, Changes for Amtrak

February 1, 2006 The Cross-Tie

Following the successful introduction of revenue management on many of its Northeast Corridor trains last year, Amtrak will expand the practice in the Northeast to Acela Express and Metroliner service, beginning with trains departing Feb. 6.

Amtrak and Cianbro Corp. Announce $76 Million Bridge Span Replacement at New London, Conn.

January 13, 2006 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – The nearly 100-year-old Thames River Bridge between New London, Conn., and Groton, Conn., will undergo a $76 million replacement of its aging bascule lift span under a construction contract between Amtrak and Pittsfield, Maine-based Cianbro Corp., the parties announced. The construction project will take two years to complete and is the largest single capital improvement Amtrak will make to the Northeast Corridor during this time. Work on the project begins this month on the installation of seven new underwater communications and signal submarine cables. In the most dramatic phase of the construction project to occur over 12 days

Taking a Look Back at 2005 for Railroads

January 6, 2006 The Cross-Tie

For better or worse, 2005 began and ended with the railroad industry in the headlines.