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Amtrak celebrates 50 years, focuses on expansion plans and new or improved rail corridors across U.S.

May 4th, 2021

Flanked by a few Amtrak locomotives, President Joe Biden and Amtrak executives paid homage to the past and shared Amtrak’s bold vision for the future on the 50th anniversary of the passenger railroad. Streamed live from Gray 30th Street Station in Philadelphia on April 30, the ceremony highlighted the remarkable contributions of Amtrak employees past and present as well as ambitious plans to expand and improve rail service for the future.

“Today we have a once in a generation opportunity to position Amtrak, and rail, and intercity rail, as well in general to play a central role in our transformation of transportation and economic future,” President Biden said.

One of Amtrak’s two 50th Anniversary Train’s on hand at the ceremony is headed by P42 No. 46, which is already in service. – Amtrak

CEO Bill Flynn, who has lobbied strongly for government funding since taking over leadership of the Amtrak in April 2020, said the railroad’s survival the next half-century depends on a long-term commitment.

“America needs a rail network that offers frequent, reliable, sustainable and equitable train service,” he said. “Amtrak has the vision and expertise to deliver it, now we need Congress to provide the funding for the next 50 years.”

Amtrak has big plans to enhance service and improve infrastructure. Over the next 15 years, Amtrak’s vision for expansion will connect up to 160 communities throughout the U.S. by building new or improved rail corridors in over 25 states. Amtrak will introduce new stations across half of the country, increase rail service to 47 of the top 50 metropolitan areas and create over half a million new jobs.

“Whether by safely and conveniently connecting more people, towns and cities to each other or as part of a low-carbon transportation system helping combat climate change, America needs more Amtrak service,” Amtrak President Stephen Gardner said. “We are ready to deliver on our vision of providing safe, reliable, efficient and sustainable transportation services to more people in more places across the nation.”

Major infrastructure investments are apparent up and down the Northeast Corridor, including the Gateway Program and the Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel Replacement Program. Planned improvements will increase track capacity, enhance ride quality and offer greater reliability.

Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia said projects like Gateway will allow Amtrak to play a key role in proving the nation’s ability to undertake generational projects, “and we expect our next chapter to include setting the stage for true high-speed rail in the United States.”

Next year, Amtrak will debut the first new Acela high-speed trains as part of a fleet overhaul. Even sooner, customers will begin riding new state-owned railcars in the Midwest and California and diesel-electric locomotives will go into service this summer. Overnight trains with refreshed interiors on Superliner bi-level coaches, sleeping cars, lounges and dining cars are also coming in the next several months.

Also, Amtrak expects to purchase of a new fleet of 83 Intercity Train Sets this summer. The sets will provide modern rail amenities to better serve Amtrak customers on the Northeast Corridor and various state-supported routes.

Amtrak station modernization projects are also underway in major cities like Chicago, Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia to enhance the travel experience and make it more accessible. In January, in partnership with the State of New York, Amtrak opened Moynihan Train Hall, its new home in New York City.

  • Light Rail / Commuter
  • Current Issue: Jan/Feb 2023

    Due to printer issues, the January/February issue is running behind. We expect it to be at stores by Jan. 11.

     

     

    INSIDE THIS ISSUE

  • Natural Merger

    The Illinois Chapter of the Mudhens Modular HO Narrow Gauge Society’s layout makes a seamless transition from the mountains and hills of Pennsylvania to the Colorado plains. Through an eye-catching blend of scenery, modules transition from North Carolina’s East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad and Pennsylvania’s Tuscarora Valley and on to the Denver & Rio Grande Western. Highly detailed trees and foliage swallow the terrain; tree leaves seem to jump off the layout in this superb interpretation of portable narrow gauge model railroading.

  • 2023 State of Model Railroading

    Modelers say times are still good in the hobby but they may spend a little less this year because of the economy. The Cowcatcher’s 2023 State of Model Railroading survey polled readers last fall to get their insights on everything from the quality of models to sustaining the future of the hobby. They had a lot to say.

     

  • Railroading in the 1940s

    The railroad industry in the late 1940s hummed as steam transitioned to diesel. Interesting, some things don’t change much. Pat Hiatte reflects on a time when railroads were high-balling across the U.S.

    – DeGolyer Library, SMU/Railroads: Photographs, Manuscripts and Imprints

     

  • PLUS…

    Milwaukee’s Trainfest came back strong in November after being sidelined by the pandemic for two years. More than 20,500 attended one of the nation’s top shows. …

     

    InterMountain Railway Co. and ScaleTrains announced recently that each will produce EMD’s short-lived SDL39, due later this year. …

     

    The sun has set on Fort Worth’s Tower 55, which for decades was the guardian of maybe the busiest railroad junction in the country. …

     

     

    THESE STORIES AND MORE, PLUS A FULL CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS AND THE BUSINESS PULSE OF THE RAILROAD INDUSTRY!

     

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  • Back Issues

    Be sure to check out our Back Issues page for any issues you may have missed. We have expanded descriptions for issues published beginning in 2007. Click here to order.

     

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  • Product News & Review

    InterMountain HO ADM Corn Syrup Car

     

    The Cowcatcher reviews InterMountain Railway Co.’s newly released HO-scale Trinity Industries 19,600-gallon corn syrup car. The tank car is one of several in the company’s second release.

     

    More product reviews!

     

    See product news!

     

  • Railroad in Focus

    Cowcatcher Magazine routinely features short lines and regional railroads that roam the Midwest and Southwest. Features include color photographs and maps, but an overview of operations and latest business trends.

     



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