On tap: Booze still allowed on Amtrak in New Hampshire
Riders on an Amtrak train that runs from Maine to Boston can continue buying alcoholic beverages during the 35-mile stretch of the trip that goes through New Hampshire as officials work out a โcreative solutionโ to avoid violating a state liquor law.
New $3.7B railway expansion in Virginia can save jobs, travel time
ROANOKE, Va. โ Virginia will spend $3.7 billion to revamp the commonwealthโs railway system. Acquiring 386 miles of rail and 223 miles of track, a major project is picking up steam. Partnering with Amtrak, CSX, and Virginia Railway Express, the goal is to expand rail services across the stateIt will make it easier for passengers traveling to and from the New River Valley, especially college students. AdSaving the planet, Governor Ralph Northam points out rail travel produces 83 percent fewer greenhouse gases than driving. AdThe major project is expected to boost the stateโs economy by $2 billion a year and could create tens of thousands of jobs.
New River Valley passenger rail service one step closer to becoming reality
CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. โ Plans for bringing a passenger rail service to the New River Valley are chugging right along. โWeโre excited because the state is just all in behind passenger rail,โ said Larry Hincker with the New River Valley passenger rail initiative. On Friday, the governor signed a bill into law establishing the New River Valley Passenger Rail Station Authority, which creates a governing board with stakeholders in the area and more importantly, clears the way for negotiations between VDOT and Norfolk Southern. โHalf of the undergraduate students would be able to ride the passenger rail because thatโs where they come from, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and so itโs really, really important to us,โ Hincker said. Expanding rail service across Virginia could cost up to $200 million.
Amtrak in New River Valley progress chugs ahead as Gov. Northam signs bill
The New River Valley is one step closer to having an Amtrak station after Gov. Chris Hurst introduced, will establish the New River Valley Passenger Rail Station Authority. According to officials, VDOT and Norfolk Southern are in the process of finalizing plans to bring passenger rail to Christiansburg. โI am excited about this major step towards bringing passenger rail to the New River Valley. The New River Valley is already a great place to live and this makes it even better.
In a leaky underwater rail tunnel, workers race against time
Amtrak workers perform tunnel repairs to a partially flooded train track bed, Saturday, March 20, 2021, in Weehawken, N.J. With a new rail tunnel into New York years away at best, Amtrak is embarking on an aggressive and expensive program to fix a 110-year-old tunnel in the interim. On a recent Saturday morning, workers used heavy machinery to clear away chunks of the tunnel floor after rails and wooden ties had been removed. โIf we had a new tunnel we wouldnโt be spending anything on it,โ Amtrak Chairman Anthony Coscia said. On a broader scale, it must keep the tunnel operating reliably for years until a new tunnel is built and the old one can be closed for a complete overhaul. Against that backdrop, a funding dispute between local lawmakers and the administration for former President Donald Trump stalled the new tunnel project for four years.
State, local leaders all aboard plan to build an Amtrak station in the New River Valley
The Virginia General Assembly is all aboard a plan to build a new Amtrak station in the New River Valley. On Monday, a bill to establish the NRV Passenger Rail Authority passed. The project has been years in the making and members of the local New River Valley Passenger Rail Initiative hope to locate the station on a parcel of land near the Christiansburg Aquatic Center. This project is just a small part of a statewide push to expand passenger rail service in Virginia. State transportation leaders are in negotiations with Norfolk Southern now, hoping to get $100 million to make a deal.
Passenger rail expansion measures likely to pass, good news for NRV rail proponents
CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. โ While state leaders are working on some other projects for our region, folks in the New River Valley have been asking for passenger rail expansion and they are one step closer to getting it. As the trains continue rolling across the Commonwealth, the focus on passenger rail continues to grow. And Larry Hincker with the New River Valley Passenger Rail group is pleased with what he sees. Bills by Delegate Chris Hurst and Senator John Edwards to create a New River Valley Passenger Rail Authority have been received favorably. AdOn Wednesday, state lawmakers elected to keep $50 million in their budget earmarked for passenger rail expansion statewide.
Buttigieg to quarantine after security agent gets COVID-19
WASHINGTON โ Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will quarantine for 14 days after a member of his security detail tested positive Monday for the coronavirus. The agent had been โin close contactโ with Buttigieg, including Monday morning prior to the agentโs positive result, the Transportation Department said in a statement. Following contact tracing protocols, the department said it determined that one other person in the security detail had also been in โclose contactโ with the agent and will also quarantine for 14 days. AdโWe will continue to prioritize safety as the foundation of everything we do,โ Buttigieg told department employees in an email message last week. โWe know itโs the appropriate measure for international travel, people traveling into the U.S.,โ partly because of the threat of virus variants from other countries, Buttigieg told CNN.
'A long two days': Major storm pummels Northeast with snow
Although the heaviest parts of the storm had moved through the metropolitan area by Monday evening, lighter snow showers were expected to continue virtually all day Tuesday, forecaster James Tomasini said. โWeโre looking at a long two days here,โ New York Gov. Across the Northeast, many coronavirus vaccination sites closed Monday. AdHundreds of flights and many trains and were canceled, and aboveground New York City subway service stopped at 2 p.m. In recent days, a storm system blanketed parts of the Midwest, with some areas getting the most snow in several years.
Unions: Passenger rails need better security, no-ride list
FILE - In this Jan. 1, 2021 file photo, The Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge overlooks the newly-completed Moynihan Train Hall in New York. Two major railroad workers unions have asked the Department of Homeland Security to beef up security on Amtrak and other passenger rail lines, including by creating a no-ride list akin to the no-fly list that prevents people identified as risks from boarding planes. โ Two major railroad workers unions have asked the Department of Homeland Security to beef up security on Amtrak and other passenger lines, including by creating a no-ride list akin to the no-fly list that prevents people identified as risks from boarding planes. Ferguson, of SMART-TD, acknowledged there would be a cost to creating a no-ride list, but he said it should be minimal considering that officials would simply be sharing the existing no-fly list with railroads. The unions also asked the Federal Railroad Administration to require more security, but that agency declined to intervene Thursday because the Department of Homeland Security has jurisdiction over such matters.
Plans for Potomac River train bridges, which could lead to expanded Roanoke Amtrak service, move forward
ARLINGTON, Va. A major piece in potentially bringing more Amtrak service to Roanoke passed a crucial step on Wednesday. The Long Bridge project would alleviate train traffic between Arlington and Washington with two new train bridges over the Potomac River. Virginia Department of Public Rail and Transportation director Jennifer Mitchell said the current bridge over the Potomac River is at 98% capacity, making it impossible to expand Amtrak service. She said the Long Bridge project will not only open up new Amtrak possibilities, but take freight traffic away from Interstate 81. We know people are looking for an alternative to I-81, so we hope we can continue to expand passenger service.The Long Bridge project is in its early stages.
NYC begins registering travelers at COVID-19 checkpoints
Mayor Bill de Blasio is asking travelers from 34 states, including Florida where COVID-19 infection rates are high, to quarantine for 14 days after arriving in the city. Authorities said this week a fifth of all new coronavirus cases in New York City have been from travelers entering the city from other states. Despite the specter of fines, the checkpoints are more educational than punitive, and officials acknowledged the effort relies on voluntary compliance. The campaign was criticized for sowing confusion and raising questions about how travelers' personal information would be retained. He said officials have made more than 86,000 phone calls and sent more than 20,000 text messages to travelers entering New York City from states with high coronavirus infection rates.
Amtrak to start requiring face coverings on trains, in stations
Starting May 11, Amtrak is requiring face coverings in stations, as well as on trains and thruway buses. โAmtrak continues to operate as an essential service for those who must travel during this public health crisis. Small children who are not able to maintain a facial covering are exempt from this requirement. Amtrak continues to take extra steps to sanitize stations and trains. Additional measures include temporarily reduced coach and business-class sales to 50% capacity and temporarily accepting only cashless payments in stations and on trains.
Amtrak taking precautions to prevent the spread of coronavirus
ROANOKE, Va. โ Amtrak is making changes to try to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. For anyone who may need to change travel plans, change fees for reservations made through the end of April are being waived. Charles Parker depends on buses to get around and said being so close to so many other people worries him. โYou just never know, if someone coughs, whatโs going to happen. They tell you not to wear masks, so (Iโm) just constantly wondering whatโs going to happen,โ Parker said.
Donโt waste your vacation days: Amtrak offers 30% off fares
ROANOKE, Va. โ Tuesday is National Plan Your Vacation Day, and Amtrak is making it easier - and cheaper - to celebrate. Amtrak is offering 30 percent off when travelers book between Tuesday and Thursday, January 28-30. The deal is only valid on trips between Feb. 16 and May 31, 2020. For example, the deal would make a ticket from Roanoke to New York City as little as $71. Now is the time to find the perfect trip and travel via Amtrak.
Amtrak offering buy one, get one free ticket deal
ROANOKE, Va. โ Looking to travel in the first part of this year? Amtrak is looking to make your travel plans easier with its limited-time buy one, get one free promotion. Tickets must be bought before Jan 13. to be eligible and the offer is valid for travel from Feb. 1, through June 12, with blackout dates on April 10, April 13 and May 22 through May 25. Even if youโre looking to make a long trip, the deal is good for both coach and sleeping accommodations. Both tickets must be purchased in the same transaction and all prices will be automatically discounted from the standard fare when accessing the promotion on Amtrakโs special web page or by using the discount code V605 when booking a trip.
Amtrak offering buy one, get one free deal on sleeper train routes
ROANOKE, Va. - If you're looking to take a trip, Amtrak has a buy one get one free deal on several sleeper train routes. You need to act fast, though -- the sale concludes Monday. The BOGO deal is valid for trips between Nov. 11 through the first week of April 2020. There are some blackout dates around the holidays. Amtrak says customers can share the experience with a friend, while taking in some of the best views and sightseeing opportunities the United States has to offer.
Over 10,000 tickets purchased for Amtrak's $10 one-way tickets.
ROANOKE, Va.- - Since mid-September, passengers have bought over $10,000 tickets after Amtrak announced $10 one-way tickets. For the first 10 days of October, one-way trips to anywhere Amtrak Northeast Regional travels throughout Virginia and Washington, D.C., will only cost $10. Tuesday also marks the 10-year anniversary of the inaugural daily round-trip service from Lynchburg to Washington D.C. on the Amtrak Northeast Regional. Make sure you use the code V110 at checkout when purchasing the one-way tickets. The $10 fare is one of several discounts available for travel in Virginia and to Washington, D.C., and other cities in the Northeast.
Amtrak offering $10 trips to celebrate 10th anniversary in Virginia
ROANOKE, Va. - Amtrak is celebrating its Virginia anniversary and offering an amazing deal to travelers. For the first 10 days of October, one-way trips to anywhere Amtrak Northeast Regional travels throughout Virginia and Washington, D.C., will only cost $10. The key is to make sure you use the code V110 at checkout. Below is a screenshot of what to do on the Amtrak website when purchasing your tickets to make sure you score this amazing deal. Amtrak is offering this rate as it celebrates 10 years of Virginia sponsored rail service.
Train takes you from D.C. to New York in 2.5 hours
Alex Wong/Getty ImagesAmtrak has announced the launch of a new service that will provide riders a direct service between Washington D.C. and New York, according to WJLA. As of now, the schedule includes one southbound and one northbound train per day. The southbound train from New York will depart at 6:35 a.m. and is scheduled to arrive in D.C. around 9:10 a.m. The northbound train will depart D.C. at 4:30 p.m., and arrive in New York around 7:05 p.m. The Acela Nonstop service comes in advance of the 2021 launch of brand-new Acela trainsets.
611 fires up this weekend, your opportunity to see it this weekend before it heads to PA
ROANOKE, Va. - Roanoke's famed 611 steam locomotive is headed for a little road trip next week. "The experience alone, just to be near an engine like this is wonderful, add to it the firing up of the engine," museum education director Courtney Plaster said. 611 is making the trip because Strasburg is one of the few places with private tracks for the locomotive to run on. The Strasburg Railroad is calling it a once-in-a-lifetime steam extravaganza because the 611 will reunite with Strasburg's engine, the Norfolk and Western 475. Although 475 was not made in Roanoke like 611 was, the two locomotives were stablemates at points throughout their careers, according to Barrall.
Amtrak announces nonstop service between DC and New York
(CNN) - Train travel between New York City and Washington is now faster than ever. On Thursday, Amtrak announced that starting in September it will offer a new direct route between Washington Union Station (WAS) and New York Penn Station (NYP). "The new Acela Nonstop service will have you halfway to your New York City or DC destination in the time it would take you to board a flight," Amtrak President & CEO Richard Anderson said in a statement. "This new service will offer an ideal solution for travelers who want to save time and travel between city center DC and New York." Riders can expect to travel for two hours and 35 minutes instead of four hours with the direct service.