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posted by Train Tripper at 12:18 PM
Saturday, February 26, 2005
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Amtrak and Pennsylvania Plan Major Track Upgrades
Below is a copy of Amtrak's Feb. 18, 2005 press release regarding track upgrades and schedule changes.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Media Relations 202-906-3860
ATK-05-021
February 18, 2005
Amtrak & Pennsylvania Plan Major Track Upgrades Between Lancaster & Philadelphiatle
Train schedules to be adjusted starting March 7
WASHINGTON - Amtrak and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will begin the next phase of major track improvements on the Harrisburg - Philadelphia Keystone Corridor this spring. Consequently, train schedules will be adjusted beginning March 7 between Lancaster and Philadelphia.
To advise passengers of the track work and impact on schedules, Amtrak is posting notices in all stations along the route and on board Keystone trains.
As part of the on-going Amtrak and PennDOT jointly funded program, the construction, upon completion, will reduce running times and improve ride comfort between Harrisburg and Philadelphia.
Scheduled to start in March 2005, the work will focus on two areas: Lancaster to Parkesburg and Paoli to Philadelphia. The improvements being made are:
Installation of 80 track miles of new concrete ties
Installation of more than 40 new track switches
A new signal system between Lancaster & Harrisburg
Upgrade of 16 existing bridges & culverts
Upgrade of overhead electrical wires (catenary)
Upgrade of electrical substations to support use of electric locomotives
When the project is fully completed, tangible benefits will be: an increase in train frequency, trip times shortened by up to 15 minutes between Harrisburg and Philadelphia and up to 30 minutes between Harrisburg and New York. The program benefits extend to all users - Amtrak, SEPTA and freight traffic- and provide benefits to the region through reduced traffic congestion and improved air quality.
In order to support the various construction activities, single-tracking in certain segments of the line between Lancaster and Parkesburg as well as Paoli and Philadelphia will be necessary. Train schedules have been modified slightly to minimize or eliminate the delay resulting from the construction outages.
Beginning Monday, March 7 new schedules for Amtrak trains operating on the Harrisburg Line will go into effect.
Amtrak Offers Special Fares in the NorthEast for Small GroupsAmtrak has a special promotion going on for small groups in the NorthEast and its called "Share Fare." Fares are as low as $20 per person for a group of 6 people traveling together from Washington DC to Philadelphi. The fare changes based on the size of the Group. When booking use promo code: H505
Below are excerpts from the press release. Take a read.. seems like a great deal for a group of friends or family!
National Railroad Passenger Corporation
60 Massachusetts Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Media Relations 202-906-3860
ATK-05-018
February 15, 2005
Small Groups Save Big With New "Share Fares"
Big savings for families & friends traveling to Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington and throughout the Northeast
WASHINGTON - Amtrak today will introduce "Share Fares" offering big savings for small groups traveling together on Regional and six other services to Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington and several other destinations in the Northeast.
The savings start when groups of 3 to 6 passengers traveling together book a reservation between February 15 and May 15, and travel between February 22 and August 31 aboard Downeaster, Empire Service, Ethan Allen, Maple Leaf, Regional and Vermonter trains (some blackout departures and dates exist).
Share Fares offer substantial savings. For example, a group of five adults traveling from New York to Boston pay only $31, on average, per person, saving $35 per person off the standard one-way fare of $66. A family of four (including two children, ages 2-15) traveling from Washington to Philadelphia pay only $26 on average, per person, saving $10 off the average one-way fare for two adults and two children of $36.
The more people traveling together, the more the savings, as the third through sixth fares of every group pay only 10% of Amtrak's standard one-way fare. Parents should take note: Amtrak continues to offer its 50%-off kids fare, but Share Fares are always a better deal for families, except when one adult is traveling with two children.
Restrictions
Tickets purchased using the Share Fares discount are non-refundable, require a 3-day advance reservation, and cannot be combined with any other offer. Some blackout dates apply. The offer is not valid on trains during peak hours on Fridays and Sundays (9:00 am to 6:59 pm). To receive the discount, passengers will use promotion code H505 when making reservations. The Share Fares discount is available on these routes in the Northeast: Regional, Empire Service, Vermonter, Downeaster, Ethan Allen, and Maple Leaf.
Double Points on Amtrak Guest RewardsI have seen many rewards programs, but I must say Amtrak Guest Rewards is probably the easiest to earn free travel.
If you are not a member of Amtrak Guest Rewards, you should probably think of joining.
Here is a copy of an Amtrak Guest Rewards recent special for those you in the Northeast.
Amtrak Guest Rewards Free Travel and Double Points
All it takes is two round-trips on Acela Express or Metroliner between select city pairs, and you will get a free round-trip.
Register here, make sure to include your Amtrak Guest Rewards member number with your reservations, and take as many Amtrak trips as you can.
You have from January 11 to May 31, 2005 to take your qualifying travel. Then, six to eight weeks after your travel is completed, we will send your earned voucher(s) good for a free Acela Express/Metroliner trip any time between June 15 and December 15, 2005 (maximum eight free round-trips).
Plus, when you pay for your Acela Express/Metroliner select city pair travel with a MasterCard card, you will earn double Amtrak Guest Rewards points. Double points will be awarded on travel taken between January 11 and May 31, 2005.
Special Discount on the Coast Starlight! Amtrak is offering a special discount on the Coast Starlight to celebrate putting it back in service. Check out Amtrak's press release below!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Media Relations (510) 238-4360
ATK-05-022
March 7, 2005
Amtrak's Coast Starlight Service is Restored Along the California Coast
To Celebrate, Amtrak is offering a 25% Discount
OAKLAND, Calif. - Welcome Back! The Los Angeles-Seattle Coast Starlight train is back in full operation along the California coastline after mudslides and washouts from severe winter storms interrupted the service between Los Angeles and Oakland. To welcome its return, Amtrak is offering passengers a 25 percent discount and onboard activities including a book signing and lecture by author, Joe Welsh.
On March 10, author Joe Welsh will be onboard the Coast Starlight to discuss his latest book, "Travel by Pullman." Welsh will share excerpts from his book with passengers as he travels between Tacoma and Sacramento. He returns to Tacoma from Sacramento on March 13. With more than 200 photographs and illustrations "Travel by Pullman" brings these rolling hotels to life, showing car interior and exterior views of famous (and not-so-famous) trains. Joe Welsh writes for magazines such as Trains, and Classic Trains, and is the author of By Streamliner, New York to Florida and Pennsy Streamliners: The Blue Ribbon Fleet .
Amtrak is offering 25 percent off the best available regular (full) adult rail fare through May 26, 2005. Three-day advance reservations are required, and the discount is valid for coach travel only. Refer to code V212. Other restrictions may apply.
I don't travel often, but I am totally impressed with AmTrak. The last two occasions on which I used AmTrak was when I relocated from NY to SC, and then again when my father passed away -- back in NY. Considering the personal intensity of both events, I can honestly say that train travel provided the comfort needed in order to deal with the unavoidable stressors. Yeah, flying may be faster, but via train, the view is enjoyable, the accommodations comfortable, and the convenience of being able to move around at leisure -- can't be beat!! I have small children, and with or without them -- AMTRAK IS THE WAY TO GO!!
When is Amtrak going to have Fare Promotions like buy one get one free like on the back of a cereal box They did this several years ago How about Red circle fares one way Monday,Tuesday,Wensday on slow days 1/3 off B+O Railroad did this years ago If you run a train every day and the seats are empty sell the seats and get what ever fare you can get something is better than nothing
Amtrak needs to restore the Three Rivers service from Chicago to New York. As a handicapped person, the transfer in Pittsburg from the Capitol to the Pennsylvanian is not only very incovenient but painful.
The Pittsburg Amtrak station agents are very kind and helpful, but the waiting room chairs are for commuters and not for long distance travelers who have to wait hours plus another hour for a late train. It doesn't make sense to eliminate a non transfer service from Chicago to New York, two of the biggest cities in the nation with many train travelers to service.
PLEASE BRING BACK THE THREE RIVERS ACCOMMODATIONS FOR 2006. Thank you
Retired engineer says; I'm about to embark on a trip I know will not be what train travel was meant to be. I am going from Hammond, LA to Minneapolis, MN on trains #58 and #7. First of all, the Hammond station agent's job is on the chopping block. So much for helping the elderly or infirm who prefer train travel to the sardine can airplanes of today.
AFTER I purchased my ticket the agent said, "Oh, by the way, they have pre-prepared meals on board." In other words they heat up some caterers concoction that was probably made in a kitchen south of the border in support of NAFTA. (We are now a consuming society; I can't think of a thing we make in the USA besides new dollar bills that we spend so quickly that they wear out. I'm sure the Treasury Dept. is taking bids from printing shops in Bombay as I write this.) Anybody have anything to report on either of these two trains? The ONLY reason I'm going is to burn up the Guest Reward points that I have accumulated as I fear the program will go the same way as the diner meals; down the tubes...
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