#Amtrak
I will never understand Amtrak's habit of building new "stations" (sometimes literally a bus shelter and a platform), when the original train station is still standing.
In Elyria, OH, using the old station would allow for transfers to Greyhound buses. In Bryan, OH, the old station is literally across the tracks, almost mocking the tiny old Amtrak station. In most cases, the old station is closer to the center of town too.
“Amtrak trips won’t be affected by the government shutdown…Amtrak has enough cash to keep trains running and workers paid in the near term…However, USDOT grantmaking and rulemaking work will halt…At-risk programs include:
* Corridor Identification Program selections (Sep/Oct);
* Interstate Rail Compacts selections (Nov/Dec); and
* Final route selection for the FRA’s Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study (Winter 2024).
#Amtrak #Transportation #PassengerRail #Shutdown https://www.railpassengers.org/happening-now/news/blog/what-a-govt-shutdown-means-for-passengers/
RT @byerussell: Americans don't ride trains 🙃
From 2001-2020, #Amtrak's share of DC-New York travelers jumped to 80% of the air+rail market from 45%.
Columbus won't learn whether Amtrak is coming until November or December, according to Axios Columbus: https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/09/28/ohio-passenger-rail-expansion
> [Stu Nicholson, executive director of the advocacy group All Aboard Ohio,] estimates the best case scenario is for trains to be running through Columbus in about five years, though it could very well take longer.
Excited that my home town (LaGrange, GA) is potentially getting a train station connecting it to Montgomery and Atlanta! Ever since the private shuttle service from the airport was discontinued, it's been a real pain to travel there without renting a car or asking someone for a ride. Not to mention the benefits for the region as a whole. Projects like this can help us begin to chip away at car-dependency in the south.
Hopefully these plans become concrete and we get a timeline soon.
With 3 daily round-trips, it's not exactly the ÖBB, but it's a great start.
It is cool that #amtrak allows lithium battery ebikes, I think they might be one of the few options to travel with your battery, if you don't have one designed to be separated into allowable sizes like a #LiGoBattery.
Its really weird that checked baggage isn't a service on all #amtrak trains. I get staffing is an issue, but even #greyhoundbus allows 1 bulky item for a fee.
I'm on the #CoastStarlight #Amtrak #train again! 🛤️
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT86T3fw5/
today's snaps! AMTK 90230 cab car on the front of the Cascades, AMTK 315 pulling train 7 into Seattle via Interbay. #amtrak #photography #trains #seattle
It’s #Amtrak day for me. We're zipping up the Northeast Corridor on the #Acela today, as the last leg of our 8 day trip around the US visiting family.
Of the three possible First class menus we lucked into geting the options we most wanted. Creme Brulee french toast was great this AM, and I'm looking forward to Lasagna later.
Great high speed link north from Washington, DC, avoiding any rough air from tropical storm #Ophelia, and then we’ll ease into town this evening on the #Downeaster.
Nowhere is fine.
#dakotas #empirebuilder #amtrak #travel #backpacker #beatnik #photography #worldphotography #nikon #grain
Nowhere is fine.
#dakotas #empirebuilder #amtrak #travel #backpacker #beatnik #photography #worldphotography #nikon #grain
Nowhere is fine.
#dakotas #empirebuilder #amtrak #travel #backpacker #beatnik #photography #worldphotography #nikon #grain
This was overall a very enjoyable #Amtrak experience. Sleeping in coach can be challenging (if I want to describe it optimistically), but everything else was great. The sights, being able to move around, the amount of space per seat for each rider. Far superior to a coach class flight, and (again) waaayyy less harmful to the #environment.
Taking the train to Fort Worth today, and #Amtrak really wowed me! Wow was all I could say when I looked into the waiting room. That was locked.
I caught the sunrise on Mt. Shasta this morning. The country is stunning out here. #Amtrak
Very excited for my first trip on the #Amtrak Coast Starlight soon. I’m mostly excited that I can travel in a way that doesn’t worsen #ClimateChange nearly as much flying or driving. I’ve also heard there’s spectacular views 🤩🚞🛤️
On our way back! Newer train this time around… dead silent compared to the last one. Functionally not really any different. Still has flaky Wi-Fi. Still has device power. Still has reclining seats (but the backs no longer lean into the person behind you) #amtrak
$25 round trip is kinda nuts. That’s cheaper than gas for car trip alone, not even considering other operating costs and wear and tear and you can safely work or socialize on device with no other distractions.
Amtrak Awards Two Contracts to Begin $6B Replacement of Baltimore Tunnel https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/amtrak-awards-two-contracts-to-begin-6b-replacement-of-baltimore-tunnel/62398?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #Amtrak #Baltimore #Infrastructure #Maryland #tunnel
I really love the Amtrak subreddit but sometimes it's just too dumb and white, which, admittedly has been a legit critique of a certain platform. The discussion centers around the exhaust fans for the new Amtrak tunnel which may end up having diesels in it (shouldn't bc they don't run them on the NEC but MARC uses diesels and run them in existing tunnels) which is an issue already.
Galaxy brain idea: #Amtrak should run a shuttle train between Union Station and L’Enfant Plaza
Glad to see the Coachella Valley rail project got a few federal dollars. Daily passenger and commuter rail will be transformative for this high-growth area.
#rail #amtrak #metrolink #coachella #palmsprings
https://la.urbanize.city/post/la-coachella-rail-line-nabs-5-million-federal-funding
@ggwash "The biggest culprits of heat-related speed restrictions, however, are the catenary wires that power trains from overhead on the 457-mile Northeast corridor between Boston and DC, and the 195-mile Keystone line between Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia. Dramatic temperature changes — both hot and cold — cause the wires to expand and contract, loosening the tension that supports them" #climate #rail #nec #amtrak
People are waiting two hours to get into Union Station’s tour of Railroad cars and Equipment at the Train Festival.
Contrary to what the auto and oil lobby tells you, people love trains. #rail #train #Amtrak #hsr #Metrolink #MetroLosAngeles #LosAngeles
RT @bdebone2 I love that the short line that services the Alstrom plant in NY uses locomotives that ceased production in 1968 to do this move.
It's like towing your 2024 Porsche 911 on a trailer with your pampered and pristine 1968 F-150 lmao
RT @john_kucko: Morning Glory: Spectacular start to the day in Andover, NY—rare sighting, too, as new #Amtrak Acela train is pulled through here. Eventually these “next gen” trains will be put into service along NEC.
https://twitter.com/john_kucko/status/1700123915987595659
Government Monitors Global Entry Travelers Daily, Even If They Aren't Traveling
https://www.newsweek.com/government-monitors-global-entry-travelers-daily-even-if-they-arent-traveling-1825445
If you're one of millions of Americans who boarded a plane this year... the federal government is spying on you—unless you hold a Global Entry pass, in which case the Feds spy on you daily, even if you never leave your house...
And its vetting is extending to train travel as well. "TSA continues efforts with Amtrak to vet rail passengers,"
In France, they are offering €49 unlimited travel passes. Meanwhile, in #Wisconsin, I just want to be able to go from Milwaukee to Wisconsin Dells and back again on the same day. I would also love to be able to go from Milwaukee to Green Bay or Milwaukee to Madison AT ALL.
#Amtrak asked for a survey of what could be done better (Northeast corridor). What do you think?
Here is what I suggested:
1) Better #bike access
2) Assigned seating would be helpful which would make the boarding process less chaotic. Assigned seating does not seem hard to implement given that it's already done for the Acela and in business class.
3) More frequent trains
4) Consistent pricing of the trains like metronorth or LIRR
If you're in a mood to look at someone else's #vacation photos: Here's the first set from our trip this summer. This covers the transcontinental #Amtrak trip from #Seattle to #NewYorkCity.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/djwudi/albums/72177720310998368
#Amtrak first impressions: After a slow start and a delay on the track... when the train got up to speed, my experience became pleasant! It helps that I'm in no rush, and I want to watch some scenery. The ride is comfortable, and the conductor has a great sense of humor. #Travel #RailTravel #Trains
If you're interested in all things trains, give @rail_casual a follow! 🚆
In November 2021 #Amtrak #trains were moved to a new route south out of Tacoma, Washington. As a result, passenger trains no longer traveled the scenic route along the shore of Puget Sound. Ride along with us on one of the last Amtrak trains to use the Point Defiance Line as we take a look at how one of the Pacific Northwest's oldest stretches of railroad became the new Point Defiance Bypass.
#Washington #UnionStation macht voll auf Flughafen. Gates, Gepäckbänder, Gurtpfosten.. #Amtrak
"Where we're going, we don't need roads!" Hint: not a road (all okay, but Amtrak delayed in #Guadalupe) #train #amtrak https://www.kclu.org/2023-09-05/scare-for-nearly-100-people-as-amtrak-train-slams-into-car-on-central-coast
Now do feeder routes from towns 100-150mi on either side of the #Amtrak stations:
Unser Zug fährt weiter nach #Roanoke in Virginia und hat damit einen der längsten Zugläufe eines #NortheastRegional. Er fährt schon 8 Uhr morgens in Boston los. Für die 330 km von New York nach Washington braucht er 3 1/2 Stunden. Für die Weiterfahrt nach Roanoke, was auch nur 330 km sind, dann planmäßig 4 Stunden, aber mit einer Stunde Lokwechselzeit und den üblichen Güterzugeinflüssen war er erst acht Stunden später um Mitternacht an seinem Ziel. #Amtrak
In #NewCarrollton kann man in die #WashingtonMetro umsteigen. #Amtrak #NortheastCorridor
Noch ein paar Ausblicke aus dem #NortheastRegional von #Amtrak kurz vor Baltimore.
Fahrt über den #SusquehannaRiver, wieder Mal ein sehr breiter Fluss mit einer Armada ansehnlicher Brücken #Amtrak #NortheastCorridor
#Wilmington - die Heimat von Joe Biden. Wenn man hier wohnt, ist tatsächlich der Zug die beste Reiseoption. Perfekt gelegen zwischen New York und Washington.
Wie es aussieht, geht es mit den Bundes-Investitionen in die Eisenbahn nun auch langsam aber sicher voran. Es ist wohl nicht ganz unwichtig, die Eisenbahn schon in Kindertagen kennenzulernen. #Amtrak #NortheastCorridor
i took an online survey about #amtrak cascades which had some real glitches but I powered through and the last screen had this painting which made me feel happy and relaxed (hopefully it's not AI, there is no attribution shown)
Die #SEPTA Stationen sind auf den ersten Blick gruselig. Schmale Bahnsteige mit gefühlter Höhe Null und dann Holzbohlen zum Erreichen der mittleren Gleise. Und das an der einzigen Hochgeschwindigkeitsstrecke in den USA! #Amtrak #NortheastCorridor
In #Philadelphia stiegen erstaunlicherweise nur wenig Leute ein oder aus. Es wirkt so, als ob die meisten auf New York und Washington fixiert sind. #Amtrak #NortheastCorridor
How has Amtrak proposed a single-level set with non-accessible front and rear coaches?? How???
#Amtrak is getting ambitious (finally!) about expanding its routes in the US.
Here's a summary from the Washington Post of proposed new projects:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2023/08/30/us-high-speed-rail-projects/
Elkhorn Slough and Apple's green dots.
@lmc I've said it before and I'll say it again. Bring back the Suntan Special
still obsessed with brown pelicans
I know I say this every time but I just love the California coast. Amtrak should start a service on the Coast Starlight where a limited number of people can get off at one of the secluded beaches to camp for a couple of days and get picked up on the way back.
Einstieg in den #NortheastRegional von #Amtrak Richtung Washington,
Ausblick auf den Flughafenshuttle von #Newark,
eine typische Northeast-Station - Außenbahnsteige hüllen die vier Gleise in New Brunswick ein
und die Station Princeton Junction, von wo ein Shuttle direkt auf den Campus der Princeton University fährt
Bei der Anzeige darf man sich nicht von europäischen Erfahrungen täuschen lassen. Rot sind nicht die wichtigen Züge und Regional heißt auch nicht Nahverkehr.
Der Zug nach Roanoke ist unser und ein #NortheastRegional, also der zweitschnellste Zug von #Amtrak.
Die roten Züge mit "Northeast Corrdr" sind Regionalzüge von #NJTransit.
Hauptsache man kennt seine Abfahrtszeit.
Die kleinen Abfahrtsmonitore sind noch eine Spur unübersichtlicher.
Passed the @weareangelcity LA Metro car!
#Amtrak #CoastStarlight #Tågskryt #TransitViews #Trains #AngelCityFC #NWSL
Heading back home. There's a really nice woman who works in the metropolitan lounge and I always say hello to her and today I decided to tell her how much I appreciate how friendly she is etc. and she told me she was retiring this week! Glad I took the time.
#Amtrak #CoastStarlight #Tågskryt #TransitViews #Trains #LAUnionStation
Ca. 1 Stunde nach Plan kommt der #Amtrak #MapleLeaf dann in #NewYork #PennStation an
In #Albany wird die Lok getauscht. Die 101, die damals schon in Niagara Falls rumstand, macht Platz für eine Hudson-Valley-Lok. Von vorn sieht sie ganz schön mitgenommen aus. #Amtrak #MapleLeaf
Wenn man über 12 Stunden mit dem Zug unterwegs ist, entwickelt man eine andere Beziehung zum @diningcar. Auch wenn man sich etwas mitgenommen hat, verspürt man den Wunsch nach etwas Abwechslung, einem warmen Essen oder einem gekühlten Getränk. Und bei #Amtrak wird der #CafeCar nicht beworben, sondern es gibt Infos, wann er offen ist und schließt. Es geht halt jeder Mal hin. Die meisten müssen am Platz essen, aber es gibt auch ein paar Tische neben der Theke.
It’s surprisingly hard to get #Amtrak to admit they go to Canada. (Berkeley and Emeryville are adjacent stations.)
In Amsterdam ist immer was los am Bahnhof, jetzt ist die Unfallstelle des Kesselwagenzuges nicht mehr weit. Aber erst Mal noch ein bisschen alte Industrie, die an Mitteleuropa erinnert. Und vom Zustand auch ein bisschen an Ostdeutschland. #Amtrak #MapleLeaf
Lots of water in the LA River.
#Amtrak #CoastStarlight #Tågskryt #TransitViews #Trains #LARiver
it looks like they've added a couple of airstreams to the airstream ranch since my last trip.
#Amtrak #CoastStarlight #Tågskryt #TransitViews #Trains #Airstream
Amtrak moved the sleepers back to the front of the Coast Starlight again (not sure why they keep reconfiguring the train) so not as good a view on the horseshoe; still a nice day out.
#CuestaPass #Amtrak #CoastStarlight #Tågskryt #TransitViews #Trains
Elkhorn Slough was so full of wildlife today! The train neglected to slow down for me so the pictures are not great but it's such a beautiful place. I've never seen harbor seals on the east side of the tracks before.
#ElkhornSlough #Amtrak #CoastStarlight #Tågskryt #TransitViews #Trains
Weiter geht's mit dem #Amtrak Ahornblatt #MapleLeaf nach #Buffalo, an der Friedensbrücke vorbei zur Station Exchange. Eine Bahnsteigkante unter der Autobahnbrücke reicht für die heutigen Verkehre aus. Muss man sich merken, denn gleich fährt der Zug an einem Bahnhof aus der Glanzzeit der Eisenbahn vorbei.
Zurück in die Vereinigten Staaten: Fahrt über die Whirlpool Rapids Bridge mit Ausblick auf die alte Brücke der Michigan Central Railway. Dann die Auflösung wie es mit dem Zug weitergeht: derselbe Zug fährt weiter, aber alle müssen mit kompletten Gepäck aussteigen und zu Fuß durch die Grenzkontrolle. Eine Stunde Aufenthalt ist dafür vorgesehen. Ca. 50 Fahrgäste müssen da durch. Und natürlich gilt: kein Obst in dir USA einführen. #Amtrak #NiagaraFalls
Am nächsten Morgen dann der nächste Versuch, mit dem Zug von #Oakville nach New York kommen. Am Bahnhof dann die Auskunft: der Zug fährt. 😀 Die Unfallstelle des Güterzuges war nach 3 Tagen geräumt. Am Bahnhof wurden die ca. 6 Einsteiger persönlich vom #VIA Bahnhofspersonal auf den Abfahrtsbahnsteig geführt. Die Anzeige gibt keinen Hinweis, dass der Zug nach New York durchfährt. Aber die Lok ist von #Amtrak, also wird das schon werden.
US Federal Railroad Administration Southwest Plan
#Rail #Amtrak #hsr #transit #California
https://railroads.dot.gov/sites/fra.dot.gov/files/fra_net/14123/FRA%20SW%20Study%20Summary%20Report.pdf