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Index to recent news postings Rail Travel News is a twice-monthly print publication, published since
Dec 10, 1970.
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AMTRAK LAUNCHES UPGRADED EMPIRE BUILDER
Re-launching its Empire Builder as a newly refurbished train with upgraded amenities, Amtrak invited the public and the media to showings of the equipment at several points along its Portland/Seattle to Chicago route. Amtrak held open houses on Sunday, August 21 at Portland and Seattle to show off the refurbished cars before the two sections of the train left on their routes to Chicago. On the same day, an open house in Chicago allowed visitors to see the westbound train before its departure for the West Coast. On Monday, August 22 the celebrations were scheduled for Whitefish MT and Minot ND. On Tuesday, August 23 the place would be St. Paul MN. Amtrak noted that the train is the first of its 15 long-distance trains being upgraded. Last year the Empire Builder attracted over 437,000 passengers, up 5.1% from the previous fiscal year. At the Portland event, speakers included Amtrak, local and state public officials, and there were informational booths--AAA Travel Agency, Flexcar, Portland Convention and Visitors' Bureau, Operation Lifesaver, and others. Amtrak on its website said that "Passengers will notice a difference the moment they step aboard the Empire Builder. First Class passengers will be welcomed with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine or cider." In menu changes, Amtrak said its culinary team had created several special items to closely match the Great Northern Railway's original recipes. These include Braised Salmon Shank with horseradish and cauliflower puree, Great Northern Baked Ham with sweet citrus sauce, and English Beefsteak Pot Pie with braised tomatoes and white mushrooms. First Class passengers will receive at night a freshly baked cookie or "similar goodie." There will be wine- and cheese-tasting events in the lounge car on the second day of each journey. Coach passengers will be offered food and beverage service at their seats. In peak seasons, Amtrak said, an upstairs snack bar is added in the lounge car. The sleeping cars now have a blue and white color scheme,
with Blossom Cherry wood grain laminates. The bedrooms have new "modern-looking"
toilet and shower units, and the public shower is said to be improved.
STARLIGHT TO EMPIRE BUILDER CONNECTION ENDED DOWNEASTER FUNDING IS ASSURED PIONEER ROUTE REINSTATEMENT REQUESTED IN LOTT BILL LOTT-LAUTENBERG BILL PROVISIONS IMPORTANT FOR PASSENGER RAIL SENATE COMMITTEE PASSES LOTT-LAUTENBERG AMTRAK AUTHORIZATION BILL SENATE COMMITTEE TO ACT ON AMTRAK AUTHORIZATION TODAY NARP applauds their bill SENATE COMMITTEE ADDS $50 MILLION TO AMTRAK FUNDING CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR TO BE HIT WITH DETOURS IN LATE SUMMER AND FALL CALIFORNIA TRAINS REACH MORE RIDERSHIP RECORDS SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE OKAYS $1.4 BILLION FOR AMTRAK DOT WANTS TO CUT OUT SLEEPING CAR, DINER, LOUNGE AND CHECKED BAGGAGE SERVICE ON AMTRAK TO SAVE MONEY. NARP RELEASES REBUTTAL TO PROPOSAL: HOUSE VOTE SAVES AMTRAK FUNDING SUMMER SOLSTICE IN BERLIN 1971 HOUSE COMMITTEE FAILS TO INCREASE AMTRAK FUNDS President Gunn Reacts to House Subcommittee's Anti-Amtrak Vote Amtrak President Talks of Acela and Food Service (see complete article) Amtrak computer outage creates problems with trains, reservations, tickets (see complete article) RailPAC endorses Amtrak-Laney funding proposal with reservations (See complete article here) Sources of hostility to Amtrak funding: Analysis AMTRAK VERSUS MINETA IN MONTANA: THE STRANGE BATTLE OVER THE EMPIRE BUILDER
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DOT'S MINETA HARASSING AMTRAK &
AMTRAK'S REPLY TO THE MINETA LETTER
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