Latest news with #CaliforniaZephyr
Newsweek
19-06-2025
- Newsweek
Amtrak Shares Plans for 'Extreme Heat' on US Trains
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Amtrak has unveiled a suite of operational and engineering strategies as summer approaches, which brings with it the potential for severe extreme heat events. Why It Matters Amtrak is the nation's leading high-speed rail operator, transporting more than 30 million passengers each year. It receives state and federal subsidies, much of which goes toward maintaining its busiest route, the Northeast Corridor. Amtrak's update comes as swathes of the U.S. are expected to experience dangerous heat this weekend, according to forecasters. Amtrak's "California Zephyr" passenger train departs Chicago Union Station on March 2, 2022. Amtrak's "California Zephyr" passenger train departs Chicago Union Station on March 2, 2022. Luke Sharrett/AFP via Getty Images What To Know The national passenger rail service outlined its approach in a fact sheet published ahead of summer 2025. According to the sheet, Amtrak enacts heat restrictions when ambient temperatures exceed 95 degrees Fahrenheit or when rail temperatures reach 128 degrees. These restrictions often require trains to reduce speed. Overhead power lines—called catenary wires—are especially susceptible to temperature swings. Amtrak trains operating on the Northeast and Keystone Corridors rely on this electrified catenary system, and heat-related tension can sometimes cause components to fail. Any resulting damage may lead to shutdowns until repairs are completed, Amtrak said. Bridge infrastructure is also affected. The company states that movable bridges, such as drawbridges, can cause delays for marine or other traffic when the structures are moved in high heat. Amtrak's response plan, should a train lose power or air conditioning, includes identifying passengers with special needs and ensuring access to water. Conductors may also open doors for airflow and request emergency support if needed. The firm added that train crews provide updates through announcements, text, email, and the Amtrak mobile app. What People Are Saying Amtrak's fact sheet said: "Our goal is to safeguard customers and employees to ensure our trains are moving with minimal delays. Amtrak takes a proactive approach to notify our customers of heat-related delays. Customers will receive direct notifications on their day of travel if their departure cities are within the heat advisory area." The National Weather Service Weather (NWS) Prediction Center said on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday: "Numerous daily record highs and warm lows are anticipated Sunday into early next week. This level of heat can be dangerous to anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration." What Happens Next Heat alerts covered 21 U.S. states on Thursday, with the NWS warning of "dangerously hot conditions" in certain areas. Extreme heat warnings, issued by the NWS when "a period of very hot temperatures, even by local standards, will occur," were in effect across parts of California, Nevada and Arizona. Triple-digit temperatures were forecast for parts of New Mexico and West Texas, and extreme heat watches were issued for a large swath of the Midwest.
Newsweek
06-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Map Shows States With the Most Amtrak Services
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Amtrak provides a vital service to U.S. commuters; however, many states have limited access to its train network, and several states have no service at all. According to data mapped by Newsweek, the vast majority of states have access to only a handful of Amtrak routes, with over half of all states having fewer than three routes passing through their stops. Why It Matters Amtrak is the largest high-speed rail provider in the United States, carrying over 30 million passengers annually. It is supported by state and federal subsidies, much of which is focused on maintaining the Northeast Corridor, which is the busiest part of its network. What To Know Amtrak lists 39 routes across the country on its Routes and Destinations website, with many connecting to Canada in the northeast. Along with Alaska and Hawaii, which are not connected to the mainland U.S., Wyoming and South Dakota are the only states in the country that do not have any Amtrak rail service. The state with the highest number of routes is New York, with 14, which benefits from being a financial and tourism hub with a high degree of travel, and being well placed to connect to the Midwest and Washington, D.C. The second-highest was Illinois, with 12 routes, thanks to Chicago's status as a transportation hub in the Midwest. Many routes to other parts of the U.S., such as the Texas Eagle and the California Zephyr, terminate in Chicago. Many states in the South and the West benefit from major routes passing through them. Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, North Dakota, and Montana all have only one major service calling at stops there, with final destinations in bordering states. The Northeast Corridor, which runs between Boston and Washington, D.C., with major metropolitan stops in New York City and Philadelphia, accounted for more than 14 million riders in fiscal year 2024—a 15.9 percent increase from the previous year. What People Are Saying In a statement given to Newsweek, Amtrak said: "Amtrak is meeting record demand, all while delivering mega construction projects, upgrading fleet, and serving more places with state partners. With strong federal support from the Trump-Vance administration, Amtrak can continue investments in American infrastructure and jobs, strengthen the economy, and make America a world leader in rail once again." What Happens Next Amtrak is undergoing major construction work in nearly 30 areas along the Northeast Corridor, where the majority of its tracks are located.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How freight rail fueled a new luxury overnight train startup
Can a passenger rail startup bring back the glamour of luxury overnight trains connecting Los Angeles and San Francisco that haven't been seen since the 1940s? Co-founders Joshua Dominic and Thomas Eastmond think so — and there's a connection to freight rail at the heart of their proposal. Dreamstar is a private venture reimagining medium-length passenger service in a setting that harks back to the heyday of first-class trains with all-bedroom accommodations, onboard gourmet dining and five-star hotel hospitality. 'Dreamstar started from a deeply personal frustration with the state of American travel,' said Dominic, in an interview. 'After experiencing modern rail across Europe and Asia in my 20s, I kept asking, 'Why don't we have this in the U.S.?' Years later, after hundreds of business and leisure trips that forced a choice between wasting precious daytime or sacrificing sleep, the idea crystallized: Build a better alternative. Dreamstar is our answer — a rail service that brings rest, reliability and elegance to medium-distance travel.'The Southern Pacific's Lark was the last domestic all-sleeper train to run exclusively in one state, operating two daily trains between San Francisco and LA. Espee added coaches after the Second World War; Amtrak's all-sleeper California Zephyr ended service between Chicago and Emeryville, California, in 1997. Dreamstar plans to run over much of the Lark's route, having signed a memorandum of agreement for track access with Union Pacific, which merged with SP in 1996. That includes 400 miles between San Jose and Ventura, which the partners say has minimal overnight freight and passenger traffic. Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) in a statement confirmed that it is in formal negotiations with Dreamstar but offered no details. Freight tracks are an essential component of the original proposal, like another recent passenger train startup, Brightline, which started out running on the tracks of sister company Florida East Coast said Dreamstar is working on access agreements with commuter agencies Caltrain and Metrolink, as well as the agency that manages Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal. 'The flagship route is designed as an overnight, limited-stop service optimized for uninterrupted rest,' said Dominic. 'We aim to keep stops to a minimum while ensuring operational viability and regional access.' The startup also claims its trains will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 75% compared to flying. Conceptual renderings emulate the proportions and outlines of contemporary passenger equipment. The cars follow the profile of the original Budd Hi-Level cars of Santa Fe's El Capitan, an all-coach train running between Los Angeles and Chicago, that were passed on to Amtrak and eventually replaced by the bilevel Superliners, also manufactured by Budd, which included sleeping accommodations. There are four classes of accommodations — called private cabins — including standard, bedroom, stateroom and family room sleeping six, as well as lounges, dining spaces and a spa. The renderings also depict Dreamstar's Auto Ferry, car transporters similar to those of Amtrak's Auto Train. Dreamstar's original proposal in 2018 called for construction of an all-new train. Now, the company plans to rebuild four previously owned cars. 'We've completed the concept development phase in partnership with BMW Designworks,' Dominic said. 'The next step is further refinement and engineering drawings. We've identified a handful of potential suppliers and are evaluating next steps.'The Los Angeles design studio has worked with aircraft maker Embraer, John Deere and Singapore Airlines, among many other clients. Construction of rolling stock is expected to take 18 to 24 months, with service to begin prior to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. A locomotive supplier has yet to be selected, 'but we've identified several viable options that align with our performance and emissions goals. We've reviewed a few promising options and are continuing to explore the right partners for both operations and maintenance.' The company said location planning is underway for maintenance facilities in parallel with operational modeling. Dominic said Dreamstar is working with industry experts to smooth the way through regulatory approval processes. At the same time, California homebuilder Bill Lyon has dropped $100,000 on Dreamstar. 'We've received additional support beyond Mr. Lyon, though we're not disclosing specific names at this stage,' Dominic said. 'Investors do include a mix of real estate families, early-stage angels and mission-aligned private backers.' Dominic did not say what total costs will be to get trains rolling, but added Dreamstar itself does not currently own any property along the proposed route. 'Our cost model is built from the ground up using data from international private rail benchmarks, infrastructure partnerships and real-world U.S. market factors,' said Dominic. 'Unlike legacy operators, we're able to build leaner and smarter — with no statutory obligations or route mandates. Our model prioritizes capital efficiency, operational control and long-term financial sustainability.' Subscribe to FreightWaves' Rail e-newsletter and get the latest insights on rail freight right in your inbox. Find more articles by Stuart Chirls & Knox runs first revenue train on Maine's Rockland Branch Norfolk Southern board chair Mongeau resigns BNSF stands up shortline rail team Regulator concerns pause Watco's Michigan shortline rail deal The post How freight rail fueled a new luxury overnight train startup appeared first on FreightWaves.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Council to discuss letter regarding Amtrak funding
OTTUMWA — The Ottumwa City Council during Tuesday's meeting at Bridge View Center is anticipated to authorize a letter from mayor Rick Johnson to several of Iowa's congressional delegation regarding funding from Amtrak service next year. The letter, addressed to Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, as well as Reps. Marianette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn, discusses concerns about the potential lack of funding as part of the next federal budget. Amtrak, which is subsidized by the government, operates the California Zephyr, one of two long-distance trains that runs through Iowa. Ottumwa is one of the stops on the route, which stretches from Chicago to Emeryville, California, near San Francisco. However, without financial support, the route could be discontinued under U.S. Code if Congress fails to provide funding for train service. So far, the Trump Administration has not indicated if there will be funding available. "Amtrak has not submitted a grant request for FY 2026 yet and has signaled it may not submit one at all," Johnson said in his letter. "It is critical that Amtrak be funded in 2026 so they can continue to operate their passenger trains across southern Iowa. "Amtrak is a key component of economic vitality in southern Iowa and the number of travelers using Amtrak continues to increase every year as airplane travel becomes more restricted and more expensive." Ottumwa was the third-most popular stop in Iowa according to Amtrak's most recent figures from fiscal year 2024. The Ottumwa stop featured 8,719 riders, and the only two stops with higher ridership were Osceola (13,194) and Mount Pleasant (9,128), which bracket the Ottumwa stop to the west and east, respectively, on the California Zephyr. Also, Amtrak has been reconstructing the depot's platform and other making other improvements to the station since 2022, which initially cost about $14 million. "Without Amtrak service to and from Ottumwa, the results would be catastrophic to both our local economy as well as reduced tourism travel across southern Iowa," Johnson said in the letter. Also, the council is expected to establish fees for various permits, which will be effective July 1. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. Wapello County Board of Supervisors The supervisors will meet in regular session Tuesday at the courthouse to discuss minor items, but will later enter a work session to discuss the makeup of the EMS advisory council, which was tabled two weeks ago amid frustration over favoritism from City of Ottumwa officials, who were concerned the council wasn't constructed to meet the community's needs. The regular meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. in the third-floor courtroom/board room, but the work session will be at 10 a.m. in the supervisors' office on North Court Street. Two weeks ago, the supervisors adopted a resolution to declare EMS as an essential county service, which was also intended to kickstart the creation of the advisory council and the work to begin assessing the county's needs. However, the creation of the list was tabled for more discussion over concerns regarding the representation, specifically the lack of law enforcement officials among the 14 council members.
Condé Nast Traveler
14-05-2025
- Condé Nast Traveler
How to Use the Amtrak Rail Pass to Plan the Ultimate Summer Train Trip
Spending a month on Amtrak wasn't like a road trip or hopping between flights—it was its own world. Time stretched, landscapes transformed, and strangers became companions in a way that rarely happens at an airport or roadside inn. Each morning, I woke up somewhere new: rolling through misty Louisiana bayous, past jagged Montana cliffs, across the vast Great Plains. Unlike planes, where everyone stays in their bubble, trains are oddly social—a rotating cast of characters and glimpses into lives I'd never otherwise encounter. With the USA Rail Pass, I crossed the country three times in 30 days, covering thousands of miles on some of Amtrak's most scenic routes. I watched the Pacific creep into view on the Coast Starlight, rode the California Zephyr through the Rockies at sunset, and drifted to sleep somewhere in Texas on the Sunset Limited. The pass made it possible to hop on and off long-haul routes around the country—with flexibility and access that's rare to come by when traveling in the US. Of course, not everything is romantic. Delays happen—a freight derailment added five hours to one ride, and we even hit a 14-foot alligator outside New Orleans. Amtrak time is loose; arrival estimates are more suggestion than promise. Dining options are limited on most routes—I skipped the café car entirely and stocked up on groceries near train stations. And sleeping upright for multiple nights? Definitely not for everyone. Still, the quirks are part of the charm. Train travel forces you to let go of urgency and just be—watching the sun rise over the Cascades, chatting with a stranger over a microwaved sandwich, or simply listening to the steady hum of the rails beneath you. How the Amtrak Rail Pass works The pass includes 10 'segments' of coach-class travel within 30 days for $499 (sometimes less during sales). A segment is counted each time you board an Amtrak train—whether it's a short hop from New York to Philadelphia or a multi-day ride from Chicago to Los Angeles. Most long-distance Amtrak routes are eligible, but high-speed trains like the Acela aren't included. You can buy the pass online, and each segment requires a reservation—so book early, especially in summer. While coach is included even on overnight trains, sleeper cars cost extra. Some routes only run a few times a week, so planning your route ahead of time helps. Big Sur and Bixby Bridge along California State Route 1, USA Alexander Spatari The best routes to take During my month on the rails, I rode some of Amtrak's most iconic long-haul routes—listed here in order of my personal favorites. Some were about where they took me, but most were worth it for the ride alone:
