USA: Amtrak to upgrade Auto Train customer service in 2020
Improvements will include an expansion of sleeping-car accommodation and dining options a new “Cross-Country Cafe.” The daily Auto Train, which travels nonstop between Lorton, Virginia, and Sanford, Florida, enables riders to travel with their cars, vans, SUVs, motorcycles and other motorized vehicles. [progressiverailroading.com]
Britain’s love affair with trains ran out of steam. Here’s how its railway network compares with others
Britain has a love-hate relationship with its railways. Once a modern rail system inspiring children’s stories from Paddington to Thomas and boasting record-fast InterCity 125 diesel-powered trains, the current setup is plagued by high fares, delays, overcrowding, and a dearth of private companies interested in running its services. [cnn.com]
USA: White Paper: How Amtrak Can Best-Serve the Nation’s Mobility Needs
As Amtrak, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, approaches its golden anniversary in 2021, this white paper attempts to probe history to dissect why Amtrak has so often chosen the wrong track and to offer recommendations for change. [railwayage.com]
USA: New Jersey Transit debuting Heritage Coaches
NJT is marking its 40th anniversary this month, and among other activities is rolling out six MultiLevel “Heritage Coaches” decorated with the logos of several predecessor railroads that came together to form the agency’s 660-route-mile, statewide regional/commuter rail network in 1979. [railwayage.com]
Europe: Regiojet reports 12% increase in passenger numbers
Around 3.1 million passengers travelled on Czech and Slovak train operator Regiojet’s services through the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria during the first six months of 2019, a 12% increase on the same period last year. [railjournal.com]
