Amtrak

Democrats in the House Improves Gateway Project's Prospects

The local and regional political leaders with a stake in the Gateway project connecting New York and New Jersey see a little light at end of the tunnel now that Democrats hold a majority in the House of Representatives.

November 11, 2018 - Politico

High-Speed Rail

Dallas Brainstorms Multimodal Hub to Accompany High-Speed Rail

With a Dallas-Houston bullet train proposal proceeding apace, a complementary idea is now on the table: a multimodal transit hub linking Amtrak, transit, and even Hyperloop.

October 14, 2018 - D Magazine

Security Camera

Homeland Security Grants Aim to Harden Transit

Amtrak and a range of big city transit agencies have received federal grants to upgrade their security in the face of terrorism.

September 12, 2018 - Progressive Railroading

Siemens Train

New Locomotives Hit the SEPTA Tracks

Philadelphia regional commuters will get some fancy new trains to ride.

July 12, 2018 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Southwest Chief

Amtrak Could End Service on Big Stretch of the Southwest Chief

Congress and presidents have threatened Amtrak service on the Southwest Chief, connecting Los Angles to Chicago, in the past. This time the threat is coming from inside Amtrak.

June 27, 2018 - The Kansan

Chicago Union Station

Before There Were Airlines...

Temporary suspension of rail service from New York City to Chicago prompts an engaging column, particularly for train buffs, on a bygone era when travel by rail was glamorous.

June 11, 2018 - The New York Times

High-Speed Rail

High-Speed Rail to Partner with Amtrak in Texas

The Texas Central high-speed rail line between Houston and Dallas is planning to offer smooth connections with Amtrak lines at either end of its 240-mile route.

May 6, 2018 - Houston Chronicle

Amtrak Suffers Third Fatal Crash in Less than Two Months

The crash in Cayce, South Carolina on Sunday killed the engineer and conductor riding in the Amtrak locomotive, injuring over 100 passengers and crew members. A locked switch had directed Amtrak #91 into a siding where it hit a parked CSX train.

February 6, 2018 - The State

Will GOP Reconsider Redirecting Amtrak Funding After Train Crash?

Republican lawmakers got a first-hand lesson in train safety Wednesday when their chartered Amtrak train hit a trash truck at a grade crossing in Virginia, killing one in the truck. Trump's infrastructure plan redirects Amtrak and transit funding.

February 2, 2018 - Bloomberg News

Moynihan Train Hall

In New York's Next Penn Station, Function Does Not Always Follow Form

Some of the time and money invested in the visually spectacular Moynihan Station should have been spent looking at how well it actually works for commuters, writes Alon Levy.

January 11, 2018 - CityLab

Amtrak Cascades Derailment Foreseen in Original Rail Plans

The cause of last month's deadly Amtrak crash south of Tacoma above Interstate 5 is attributed to the train traveling at 78 mph through a curve with a speed limit of 30 mph. The original plan for the bypass called for the elimination of that curve.

January 2, 2018 - New York Post

PATH Train

Financing of Hudson River Rail Tunnels in Peril

A funding agreement between New York, New Jersey, and the U.S. DOT for one of the most important rail projects in the nation is in danger of collapsing because of the way the two states are financing their share of the $12.9 billion cost.

December 26, 2017 - Crain's New York Business

Amtrak Cascaded

Focus on Positive Train Control after Amtrak Train 501 Derails in Washington

Excessive speed is thought to be the cause of the deadly derailment on Dec. 18. Positive train control, which likely would have slowed down the train, was installed on the tracks and locomotive but was not yet operational.

December 22, 2017 - RailwayAge

Amtrak Cascaded

*New Amtrak Train Derails On Highway Overpass Outside of Seattle, Killing 3

The first southbound train on of the newly routed Amtrak Cascades Seattle-to-Portland service derailed on a highway overpass on Monday morning, with two passenger cars falling onto southbound Interstate 5, striking motor vehicles.

December 18, 2017 - AP

Southwest Chief

An Amtrak Train Runs Through Them

Efforts to ensure that Amtrak's Southwest Chief continues its current route through three states has united more than 20 small communities in New Mexico, Colorado, and Kansas.

October 26, 2017 - The Denver Post

New York City From New Jersey

$1.7 Billion Project to Replace Critical Rail Crossing in New Jersey Underway

New Jersey's 107-year-old Portal Bridge has been a symbol of the region's crumbling rail infrastructure. A $1.7 billion project to replace the bridge, launched this week, is designed to improve the situation.

October 15, 2017 - NorthJersey.com

Amtrak Pennsylvanian

Lyft Partnering With Amtrak for First-Last Mile Connections

Amtrak is partnering with Lyft to offer train passengers a discounted option for first and last mile needs. New Lyft riders qualify for a $5 savings on each of their first four rides.

August 3, 2017 - The Verge

Capitol Hill

Senate Appropriations Committee Restores TIGER Grant Program

Unlike the House Appropriations Committee's DOT budget that reduces spending by almost 4 percent from current levels and eliminates the TIGER grant program, its Senate counterpart increased transportation spending, including the TIGER grant budget.

July 28, 2017 - The Hill

Long-Awaited Hartford to New Haven Commuter Rail Expected in 2018

Starting in May 2018: 17 daily round trips between New Haven and Hartford, including 12 trips continuing on to Springfield.

July 27, 2017 - The Hartford Courant

Runners in D.C.

2018 Congressional Transportation Budget Begins to Take Shape

While reduced from current levels, the House Appropriations Committee budgeted far more than what President Trump had proposed, but they agreed with him to eliminate the TIGER grant program and reduce transit investments, though by a lesser amount.

July 24, 2017 - The Hill

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