$1.2 Trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Signed by President Biden

Amtrak trains sport 50th anniversary paint jobs | WTOP News"This bill will allow Amtrak to advance significant infrastructure and major station projects on the NEC, purchase new passenger rail equipment and develop new rail corridors, bringing passenger rail to more people across the nation." Amtrak

"For far too long, Washington policymakers have celebrated “infrastructure week” without ever agreeing to build infrastructure." The White House

"The bipartisan bill includes $66 billion in new funding for rail to address Amtrak’s maintenance backlog, along with upgrading the high-traffic Northeast Corridor from Washington to Boston." NYTimes

"Railroads praised the House of Representatives' passage late last week of a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, which includes full five-year surface transportation reauthorization." Progressive Railroading

Happy 50th Birthday Amtrak!

Amtrak50thBidenOn this date in 1971, the first Amtrak passenger train left New York City for Philadelphia. A national network eventually grew out of that beginning. The state-sponsored Amtrak services emerged, which included the Maine Downeaster in December of 2001. The Downeaster was the result of TrainRiders/Northeast's grass-routes advocacy.

Amtrak funding has been on a rollercoaster ride since its beginning - strong funding and then cutbacks. Today, under the administration of President Joe Biden, the proposals for new funding and new routes raise hopes of a new 'golden age' of passenger rail service in the US.

President Biden regularly commuted from his home in Wilmington, DE. to Capitol Hill for 30 years. His $2 Trillion 'American Jobs Plan,' now headed to Congress, allocates $80 Billion for passenger and freight rail. Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn stated that if the proposed funding is approved, "Amtrak would be able to bring the NEC to a state of good repair and improve trip times" as well as avoid "devastating consequences for our transportation network." 

The president's remarks can be seen here (starting at 1:00:17) along with selected remarks from Chairman Wayne Davis. (go to 1:18:03 )

Watch Chairman Davis's full remarks for the Amtrak 50th!

Here's to another 50 years!

NNEPRA Joins Other States to Keep the Dome Car Rolling

The bi-monthly Downeaster Operations Meeting was held on the Great Dome Car yesterday. It was an appropriate location after Amtrak announced plans to eliminate the very popular car from their fleet as of December 31st, 2018. The proposed "sunset" of the car was clearly on the minds of those who were interviewed. 

 NNEPRA Executive Director Patricia Quinn announced that a group of states, including Maine, have inquired of Amtrak as what it would cost to refurbish and keep the Dome car in service, rather than have it permanently taken out of service at the end of this year.

Come along for the ride and hear from those on board. 

Dome Car Play

 

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