# Amtrak - News, updates, upgrades, etc **URL:** \ **Category:** Discussion Topic\ **Created:** [June 15, 2022, 5:26pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/amtrak-news-updates-upgrades-etc/21408 "2022-06-15T17:26:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![Waymond\_Womano](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/waymond_womano/32/7078_2.png) [@Waymond\_Womano](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/Waymond_Womano)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 3:28pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/amtrak-news-updates-upgrades-etc/21408/283 "2024-05-17T15:28:50Z")
Update on trains in western Massachusetts (effective May 28, 2024): > **[Rail News Roundup #46 – Trains In The Valley](https://trainsinthevalley.org/2024/05/17/rail-news-roundup-46/#new-valley-flyer-schedule)** > > The video above is a recording of a presentation that local historian Will Melton gave on March 26th at the Holyoke Public Library. The presentation tells the story of Holyoke's historic station, including Dave White’s recent renovation, and hopes... > Amtrak is adding a new weekday Valley Flyer round trip between New Haven and Greenfield, which is great news. > > Train 486 will operate northbound in the late afternoon and stop in Holyoke at 4.48 pm, Northampton at 5.04 pm, and arrive in Greenfield at 5.30 pm. > > The new train will take some of the load of the Vermonter which often carries a great many riders who step off the train in Greenfield or Northampton. On busy travel days this should free up seats for people using the Vermonter to travel to Vermont. > > This train set will then become southbound train 479 which will depart Greenfield at 6.05 pm, and stop in Northampton at 6.30 pm, Holyoke at 6.45 pm, Springfield at 7.13 pm and then make all stops to New Haven where it will connect with Amtrak Northeast Regional train 179 to New York Penn Station. > > With this new southbound Valley Flyer train it will be possible to travel in the evening from Greenfield, Northampton, and Holyoke to New York City for the first time since the 1960s. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/yimby/original/3X/b/2/b2e4fadc4b4fa61f9e39579e01b125bdee3f2360.png) ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/yimby/original/3X/a/5/a524c266921a4839cf484f90f5d226d694b341ae.png) ---
**Author:** ![Waymond\_Womano](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/waymond_womano/32/7078_2.png) [@Waymond\_Womano](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/Waymond_Womano)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 2:28am UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/amtrak-news-updates-upgrades-etc/21408/284 "2024-06-11T02:28:41Z")
update on closure of Amtrak Adirondack north of Saratoga Springs, NY: > **[Extended Amtrak pause disrupts North Country travel during summer season](https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/amtrak-train-service-is-unavailable-this-summer-in-the-adirondacks)** > > Amtrak's Adirondack service stretched to 18 weeks of shutdown for track modifications, impacting North Country travelers until Sept. 9 ---
**Author:** ![stache](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/stache/32/30186_2.png) [@stache](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/stache)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 1:31pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/amtrak-news-updates-upgrades-etc/21408/285 "2024-06-11T13:31:30Z")
I thought they were offering bus service here(?) ---
**Author:** ![Waymond\_Womano](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/waymond_womano/32/7078_2.png) [@Waymond\_Womano](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/Waymond_Womano)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 9:35pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/amtrak-news-updates-upgrades-etc/21408/286 "2024-06-11T21:35:03Z")
That is correct, sir. [https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/amtrak-service-montreal-suspended-riders-take-19468238.php](https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/amtrak-service-montreal-suspended-riders-take-19468238.php) ---
**Author:** ![Waymond\_Womano](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/waymond_womano/32/7078_2.png) [@Waymond\_Womano](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/Waymond_Womano)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2024, 2:26am UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/amtrak-news-updates-upgrades-etc/21408/287 "2024-06-13T02:26:46Z")
> **[Amtrak Pays Executives Hefty Bonuses as Losses Continue](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/12/us/politics/amtrak-executive-bonuses.html)** > > Some executives received payments of nearly half a million dollars as the rail service remained $1.7 billion in the red and the new Acela program continued to face challenges. ---
**Author:** ![ALC11](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/alc11/32/81254_2.png) [@ALC11](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/ALC11)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2024, 6:30pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/amtrak-news-updates-upgrades-etc/21408/289 "2024-06-16T18:30:18Z")
> **[Amtrak seeking nearly $30M to build intercity rail hub station in downtown...](https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/amtrak-asks-nearly-30-million-grant-upgrade-downtown-atlanta-rail-options/O7QQ7NP5AFEIHPPIWBBCM3C6BY/?outputType=amp)** > > Amtrak is requesting a $30 million investment from Congress to begin designing and building a new rail hub station in downtown Atlanta. > **[NJ Transit, Amtrak lay out service disruption initiative following system...](https://newjersey.news12.com/nj-transit-amtrak-lay-out-service-disruption-initiative-following-amtrak-system-failures-in-may)** > > Amtrak and NJ Transit officials recently discussed solutions, including establishing a joint incident response committee. [https://www.wtol.com/article/news/local/bryan-ohio-amtrak-station-improvements/512-f228116c-af57-4121-a65b-cfef95636e7b](https://www.wtol.com/article/news/local/bryan-ohio-amtrak-station-improvements/512-f228116c-af57-4121-a65b-cfef95636e7b) ---
**Author:** ![Waymond\_Womano](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/waymond_womano/32/7078_2.png) [@Waymond\_Womano](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/Waymond_Womano)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 3:54pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/amtrak-news-updates-upgrades-etc/21408/290 "2024-06-17T15:54:23Z")
Plans to extend Amtrak service deeper into Maine (past Brunswick) will not come to fruition any time soon. > **[Amtrak’s Rockland expansion halted after railway ceases operation](https://www.bangordailynews.com/2024/06/14/midcoast/midcoast-business/midcoast-railservice-lease-termination-amtrak-rockland/)** > > Midcoast Railservice will no longer operate the Rockland Branch railroad. Amtrak service to Montreal is shut down during the entire summer. The blame game is in full swing. > **[Amtrak & Canadian National each blame each other for Adirondack Line’s...](https://www.mychamplainvalley.com/news/local-news/new-york/amtrak-canadian-national-each-blame-each-other-for-adirondack-lines-closure/)** > > In a statement made on Friday, Canadian National Railway said Amtrak never consulted them on closing the Adirondack Line, and they plan on continuing passenger train operations despite track mainte… Still no word on whether Amtrak will ever begin service to Mobile, Alabama. But the local first responders will pretend like it actually will, just in case it ever does, for incident simulation purposes. Amtrak hasn’t served Mobile since 2005, so the vast majority of local cops, firefighters and EMTs have never experienced a passenger train. > **[Mobile County to hold Amtrak/simulation exercise Monday](https://www.fox10tv.com/2024/06/16/mobile-county-hold-amtraksimulation-exercise-monday/)** > > Mobile County officials say it will take place at the CSX rail yard and will be an Amtrak exercise/simulation for first responders. ---
**Author:** ![ALC11](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/alc11/32/81254_2.png) [@ALC11](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/ALC11)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2024, 7:51pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/amtrak-news-updates-upgrades-etc/21408/291 "2024-06-18T19:51:02Z")
The heatwave is messing things up on the NEC. > **[NJ Transit trains to and from NYC suspended amid escalating heat](https://www.nj.com/news/2024/06/nj-transit-train-service-to-and-from-nyc-suspended-amid-escalating-heat.html?outputType=amp)** > > PATH trains are cross honoring NJ Transit rail tickets at Newark Penn Station, Hoboken and 33rd Street, New York. ---
**Author:** ![stache](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/stache/32/30186_2.png) [@stache](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/stache)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2024, 1:51pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/amtrak-news-updates-upgrades-etc/21408/292 "2024-06-19T13:51:23Z")
It’s not just the heat. I had a half hour delay Friday night coming back to NYC from Philly on Amtrak. They said it was the wires. ---
**Author:** ![Waymond\_Womano](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/waymond_womano/32/7078_2.png) [@Waymond\_Womano](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/Waymond_Womano)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2024, 7:20pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/amtrak-news-updates-upgrades-etc/21408/293 "2024-06-20T19:20:22Z")
Seems this happens at least twice a week nowadays. > **[NJTransit, Amtrak service suspended while crews work to restore power on...](https://abc7ny.com/post/amtrak-njtransit-rail-service-delayed-penn-station-due-overhead-wire/14981317/)** > > Amtrak said rail traffic between New Haven and Philadelphia has been suspended while crews work to restore power to the New York area. ---
**Author:** ![Waymond\_Womano](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/waymond_womano/32/7078_2.png) [@Waymond\_Womano](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/Waymond_Womano)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2024, 12:06pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/amtrak-news-updates-upgrades-etc/21408/294 "2024-06-21T12:06:32Z")
Is this the third or the fourth time this week? I’ve lost track. > ---
**Author:** ![ALC11](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/alc11/32/81254_2.png) [@ALC11](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/ALC11)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2024, 6:08am UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/amtrak-news-updates-upgrades-etc/21408/295 "2024-06-29T06:08:19Z")
New bridge in Connecticut gets funding. > **[Amtrak Awards Contract to Build New Connecticut River Bridge - Amtrak Media](https://media.amtrak.com/2024/06/amtrak-awards-contract-to-build-new-connecticut-river-bridge/)** > > Amtrak will soon begin construction of a new, modern Connecticut River Bridge to replace the existing bridge following the award of a construction contract to O&G/Tutor Perini, a Joint Venture. ---
**Author:** ![Waymond\_Womano](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/waymond_womano/32/7078_2.png) [@Waymond\_Womano](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/Waymond_Womano)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2024, 11:17am UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/amtrak-news-updates-upgrades-etc/21408/296 "2024-07-02T11:17:34Z")
No surprise here - the proposed Amtrak route between New Orleans and Mobile appears to have been “suspended indefinitely”, a victim of “conscious uncoupling” between the desire for rail service and the political reality of southern aversion to federal programs. > **[Indication for Amtrak Gulf Coast Service Looks Grim - Railway Age](https://www.railwayage.com/regulatory/indication-for-amtrak-gulf-coast-service-looks-grim/)** > > What a difference a few days can make! Only one week ago, on June 20, Railway Age covered the latest developments concerning the proposed Gulf Coast service, which would consist of two daily ---
**Author:** ![Waymond\_Womano](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/waymond_womano/32/7078_2.png) [@Waymond\_Womano](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/Waymond_Womano)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2024, 1:22pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/amtrak-news-updates-upgrades-etc/21408/297 "2024-07-05T13:22:45Z")
update on **Brattleboro, Vermont** high-level platform construction: > **[Amtrak and Partners Break Ground on New Brattleboro Station and Platform...](https://media.amtrak.com/2024/06/amtrak-and-partners-break-ground-on-new-brattleboro-station-and-platform-upgrades/)** > > First-ever level platform in the state improves accessibility for all customers BRATTLEBORO, Vt. – Amtrak, in conjunction with the town of Brattleboro, ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/yimby/original/3X/6/e/6eb8574d0b23066c27e2f1005b0d56ab6e84d11c.jpeg) source: [Amtrak begins work for new Brattleboro station](https://www.railwaypro.com/wp/amtrak-begins-work-for-new-brattleboro-station/) A new center platform has opened at **Worcester, Massachusetts** Union Station. This station is primarily served by MBTA regional rail, but it also has two Amtrak trains each day (one headed towards Boston South Station, the other towards Chicago Union Station). > **[MBTA Opening New Worcester Platform For Commuter Rail](https://patch.com/massachusetts/worcester/new-commuter-rail-platform-worcesters-union-station-opening)** > > The T began work on a new platform in spring 2022 to allow multiple trains to board at once. [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/yimby/original/3X/b/4/b41612fcdb56813136cc870303ba5e81e05e327f.jpeg "MBTA train departs from the new Worcester Union Station platform") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwoEmERdvIc) Tracks have yet to be laid on the other side of the center platform. ---
**Author:** ![Waymond\_Womano](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/waymond_womano/32/7078_2.png) [@Waymond\_Womano](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/Waymond_Womano)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2024, 7:45pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/amtrak-news-updates-upgrades-etc/21408/298 "2024-07-05T19:45:46Z")
More trains now stopping at Newark airport station, with the connection to the historic AirTrain > **[Amtrak Adds 33 More Weekly Northeast Regional Stops at Newark Liberty...](https://media.amtrak.com/2024/07/amtrak-adds-33-more-weekly-northeast-regional-stops-at-newark-liberty-international-airport/)** > > Schedules modified for better connections throughout the Northeast Corridor and flights NEWARK, NJ – Amtrak has increased Northeast Regional service at Trains on the Burlington, VT line have had their schedule adjusted. Some of the schedule padding has been removed. > **[Amtrak Improves Ethan Allen Express with Faster Trips - Amtrak Media](https://media.amtrak.com/2024/07/amtrak-improves-ethan-allen-express-with-faster-trips/)** > > New schedules reflect trip time improvements for up to 15 minutes of less travel time NEW YORK – Amtrak, in conjunction with the Vermont Agency of > _Ethan Allen Express_ southbound Train 290 will now depart Burlington 20 minutes earlier at 9:50 a.m., arriving in Rutland 35 minutes earlier, 30 minutes earlier in Albany, and will reach Moynihan Train Hall in New York City at 5:17 p.m., which is 30 minutes earlier than the previous schedule. In addition, northbound _Ethan Allen Express_ Train 291 will arrive at Burlington five minutes earlier at 9:50 p.m. “Ground broken” on the NC portion of Richmond-Raleigh passenger rail. Not really sure what this means since design work will not be done until 2027. I think it’s just a political stunt, or maybe “groundbreaking” doesn’t mean what I think it means. In any case, this will allow passenger trains to go directly between the two southern state capitals, but I imagine it will be a decade or longer until trains actually do so. > **[All aboard: Officials break ground on the new Raleigh to Richmond rail line](https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2024/07/01/officials-break-ground-on-new-raleigh-to-richmond-rail-line)** > > The S-Line will begin construction roughly six months after funding was secured. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/yimby/original/3X/a/d/ad6af70b5caa46bcf69220103feecc25da36cbb8.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![ALC11](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/alc11/32/81254_2.png) [@ALC11](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/ALC11)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2024, 5:24pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/amtrak-news-updates-upgrades-etc/21408/299 "2024-07-13T17:24:31Z")
Amtrak awarded a contract to rehabilitate the _East River_ tunnels. There are four East River tunnels, unlike the two Hudson ones so it will be easier to do repair work here. This project is separate from the Gateway Project. > **[Amtrak Awards Construction Contract for East River Tunnel Rehabilitation](https://media.amtrak.com/2024/07/amtrak-awards-contract-for-east-river-tunnel-rehabilitation/)** > > Amtrak will begin major rehabilitation of the East River Tunnel in New York City later this year following the award of a construction contract to a Skanska E-J ERT Joint Venture. > **[East River Tunnel Rehabilitation Project | Amtrak](https://www.amtrak.com/east-river-tunnel-rehabilitation-project)** > > The ERT Rehabilitation Project will restore the two tubes that were damaged by Superstorm Sandy. ---
**Author:** ![Waymond\_Womano](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/waymond_womano/32/7078_2.png) [@Waymond\_Womano](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/Waymond_Womano)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2024, 1:36am UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/amtrak-news-updates-upgrades-etc/21408/300 "2024-07-14T01:36:55Z")
Is each of the four tracks under the East River in its own individual tube? ---
**Author:** ![ALC11](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/alc11/32/81254_2.png) [@ALC11](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/ALC11)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2024, 1:38am UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/amtrak-news-updates-upgrades-etc/21408/301 "2024-07-14T01:38:56Z")
Yes, they are individual tubes. They’re similar in design to the Hudson Tunnels and were built alongside them at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![Waymond\_Womano](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/waymond_womano/32/7078_2.png) [@Waymond\_Womano](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/Waymond_Womano)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 1:44am UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/amtrak-news-updates-upgrades-etc/21408/302 "2024-07-15T01:44:26Z")
Deferred maintenance? > **[Astoria residents fear jagged rocks falling from overhead Amtrak bridge; FDNY...](https://astoriapost.com/astoria-residents-fear-jagged-rocks-falling-from-overhead-amtrak-bridge-fdny-takes-action)** > > Local residents are growing increasingly concerned about falling rocks from the deteriorating Amtrak railroad bridge on 23rd Avenue in Astoria. ---
**Author:** ![stache](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/stache/32/30186_2.png) [@stache](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/stache)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2024, 2:20pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/amtrak-news-updates-upgrades-etc/21408/303 "2024-07-15T14:20:56Z")
What route does this line serve? [Previous page](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/amtrak-news-updates-upgrades-etc/21408.md?page=14) [Next page](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/amtrak-news-updates-upgrades-etc/21408.md?page=16)