Amtrak adds weekday Acela Express round-trip
Amtrak is expanding its Northeast Corridor high-speed rail service with the addition of a new weekday Acela Express round-trip between New York and Washington, D.C, beginning on Jan. 28.
Intercity
Amtrak fills senior operations positions
Amtrak named Magdy El-Sibaie chief safety officer and Robin McDonough chief, business operations. Both will report directly to DJ Stadtler, vice president of operations.
Amtrak names Hardison chief marketing and sales officer
Amtrak named Matt Hardison chief marketing and sales officer (CMSO), following the retirement of Emmett Fremaux and will report to President and CEO Joe Boardman, effective immediately.
FRA issues ROD for the Chicago-St. Louis HSR
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued two Records of Decisions (ROD) for the Chicago-St. Louis high-speed rail corridor.
Amtrak names chief transportation officer
Amtrak named David Nichols as its chief transportation officer (CTO) who will be responsible for setting, managing and maintaining operating rules and policies to ensure that all train operations meet federal rail safety requirements and the company’s business needs.
MDOT buys 135 miles of NS line
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Norfolk Southern signed a sale agreement that transfers ownership of 135 miles of NS railroad to MDOT for $140 million.
Plans advance for Rochester Intermodal Transportation Center
An agreement has been reached for Amtrak to continue to own and operate the new $23-million Rochester Intermodal Transportation Center in Rochester, N.Y., at the existing Amtrak station location on 320 Central Avenue.
St. Paul Union Depot restoration completed
Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority (RCRRA) in St. Paul, Minn., completed the $243-million historic restoration of the 90-year-old Union Depot train station.
Amtrak requests $336 million in emergency funds
Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman told a U.S. Senate committee the New York region needs to strengthen rail capacity and resiliency in order to create “a better ability to resist damage, recover from an event and return the rail system to service” following major disasters.
Amtrak/CSX Hudson Line deal to improve service, move projects forward
A long-term lease agreement between CSX Corporation and Amtrak has been made, enabling Amtrak to take full control of the Hudson Line between Schenectady and Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
VIA Rail readies improvements to locomotives, frequencies and infrastructure
VIA Rail Canada has completed a number of projects, including additional frequencies and the introduction of a new service between Ottawa, ON, and Quebec City, QB.
USDOT awards $3.2 million to the state of Washington
The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded more than $3.2 million to the state of Washington to enhance capacity and improve reliability for intercity passenger and freight rail in the Pacific Northwest.
Amtrak names two to executive and management positions
Amtrak named Bruce Pohlot chief engineer and Tom Quigley general manager, state-supported services. Both will report directly to D.J. Stadtler, vice president of operations, effective Dec. 10, 2012.
New Windsor VIA Rail Station officially opens
As part of the ongoing modernization of VIA Rail Canada facilities, the new VIA Rail Windsor Station is now open.
Chicago-St. Louis HSR gets environmental approval from feds and state
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) have signed and issued the Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the full build-out of the Chicago-St. Louis high-speed rail corridor.
Agreement would put X Train on UP-owned track
Las Vegas Railway Express, Inc. (X Train), and Union Pacific signed a conditional agreement to provide passenger service on Union Pacific-owned right-of-way between Las Vegas, Nev., and Daggett, Calif.
Amtrak substation repairs to be completed this week
Amtrak and New Jersey Transit are making repairs to an Amtrak-owned electrical substation in Kearny, N.J., which will be completed Friday, Nov.16.
Hudson River Tunnel clean up complete, expanded service begins between NJ and NY
Amtrak and New Jersey Transit passengers will be offered expanded service between New York City and New Jersey beginning Monday, November 12,
Amtrak to re-open NYC tunnels damaged by Sandy
Amtrak intends to re-open three tunnels that provide access to/from Penn Station New York (PSNY) by late Friday, Nov. 9, which were significantly flooded and damaged by Hurricane Sandy.
Tough road to normalcy, longer road to recovery
Nearly a week after Hurricane Sandy slapped the Northeast, transportation providers are still scrambling to repair infrastructure and restore service.