Recent content by TML

I recently read a detailed study of Berkshire rail service and it noted that in order to add a stop in Chatham, NY (presumably at the existing Union Station), a new platform would have to be constructed to meet ADA requirements, which is a major reason why this stop hasn't been added to Amtrak's...

I haven't taken this train yet, but a cursory examination of the route on a map would reveal that the train makes a reverse move at Denver: it turns around at a nearby wye and backs into the station (the tracks dead end at the station) before pulling out of the station again after a crew change...

When it comes to adding/removing stops to/from existing routes, would distance between stations be a deciding factor in most cases? For example, one station stop I would like to see added to the Empire Builder is Chinook, MT (in order to serve Blaine County, which is currently skipped over...

Back when Amtrak introduced GE Genesis locomotives to replace their EMD F40PH locomotives in the 1990s, it retained F40PHs for the Maple Leaf because that train was operated by VIA Rail crews in Canada, and since VIA Rail didn't have their own GE Genesis locomotives before 2001, their crews...

Back when the North Coast Hiawatha last ran, it ran through Deer Lodge and Butte between Missoula and Bozeman. Since then, however, a part of that route (between Butte and Spire Rock) has gone dormant and would currently require extensive rehabilitation to reactivate for any kind of train...

I have noticed that in upstate NY, some counties contains tracks which Amtrak trains use but have no Amtrak stops along these tracks. Here's a list of such counties I've been able to gather: Putnam County Herkimer County Madison County Cayuga County Wayne County Genesee County Chautauqua...

n terms of political will, I think there may be light at the end of the tunnel here: AZ is trending Democratic in recent elections, and if this trend continues, soon pro-rail officials could be elected to state and federal offices in AZ. That would probably increase the likelihood of funding...

Based on information I can gather from VIA's current timetables, no local traffic is permitted between the following stations: Toronto-Guildwood Ottawa-Fallowfield Montreal-Dorval & Saint-Lambert Quebec City-Charny & Sainte-Foy Now, with GO Transit expanding service to Niagara Falls within...

I personally would like to see that like west of Phoenix reactivated. I think all it takes for this to happen is sufficient political will. In terms of costs, I've seen different figures from different sources. For example, a 2005 study conducted by the Southwest Rail Corridor Coalition stated...

So, if my guess is correct, the International train (Chicago-Toronto) also had a cross-border food swap back when it was in operation?

I recently took the Maple Leaf on a trip to Canada, and I discovered that they use the American Amtrak menu while in the US, but the Canadian VIA Rail menu while in Canada. My best guess is that this is done to avoid potential issues with food crossing the border. What happens on food service...

Based on recent news reports, it seems that there is no hope for Amtrak continuing to use the existing Union Station building upon 84 being lowered, if I'm understanding it correctly...

Just think back to the shutdowns under the Clinton and Obama administrations: did those shutdowns cause Amtrak to stop running completely during the shutdown periods? NO! Hence, there is no need to panic about the idea of a government shutdown bring Amtrak to a complete standstill.

Based on what I've heard, it seems like the plan for Interstate 84 in Hartford is to replace the viaduct with a depressed highway, which involves relocating the railroad tracks near Hartford's Union Station. The proposed plan involves constructing new platforms for the relocated tracks, so does...

Currently, train 42 departs Pittsburgh at 07:30, while 43 arrives at 20:05. Both times are outside the hours of operation for nearby car rental agencies (except the ones at the airport), which forces arriving passengers to wait at least one day for a rental and departing passengers to return...