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"Train enthusiasts, skiers, travelers, volunteers — they gathered, some unknowingly but most fully aware, for a retirement celebration of Brad Swartzwelter, the conductor of Amtrak’s Winter Park Express."...

"Central Japan Railway Co. said Friday it has given up its plan to launch a new high-speed maglev train between Tokyo and Nagoya in 2027 amid long-running environmental opposition in Shizuoka Prefecture, pushing back the schedule possibly to 2034 or later."...

Unusual for trains in Japan... "A bullet train overran a station in northeastern Japan by some 500 meters on Wednesday" https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20240306/p2g/00m/0na/040000c

I recall discussions a year or two ago that Amtrak was pulling sleepers out from under passengers with notice just a month or so prior to travel. I just booked, with points, the SWC this fall and for my outbound leg on #4, we were assigned a room in the 431 car. Thinking about the the...

"JR Central Retailing Plus Co., which handles onboard services for bullet trains, will sell 50 retired wagons for 100,000 yen (about $680) each including shipping." https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20240124/p2a/00m/0li/015000c

Completed one of the surveys (we've all done these) regarding my recent Pacific Surfliner trip (the rare mileage trip). Toward the end, they appologized for the train being late (it was 24 minutes late). This appeared without any previous questions regarding on-time performance. Followed were a...

Open Railway Map showing the entire detour. Blue highlight is the normal routing for Amtrak and Metrolink. Pink highlight is the detour route for the Pacific Surfliner. Open Railway Map showing the main part of the detour onto UP and Alameda Corridor. Track diagram from the Union Pacific Los...

December 27, 2023 In railfan circles, "rare mileage" refers to traveling a route not normally used by passenger trains. Todays trip from Chatsworth to Fullerton, in part, qualifies for that status. For the week of December 26 through 29 Metrolink is performing track and signal maintenance and...

I have a coach reservation for a same-day round trip on the Pacific Surfliner. At the time I booked, business class was "sold out" (I read, unavailable). I checked this morning and BC is available so I proceeded to upgrade my reservation. When I selected the entire trip (same-day, two-leg...

Carnival is trying to clear up what constitutes a "service dog". "In response to guest comments, Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald has offered some guidance on service dogs onboard, including where the dogs are permitted and what types of service dogs can set sail on the Fun...

Metrolink, Surfliner expand codeshare agreement https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/metrolink-surfliner-expand-codeshare-agreement/

While the posters are in Japanese, the message is clear. Very creative. (the article is in English) "Japan’s railway manners posters offer reminders on correct behavior with a light touch, along with charmingly playful designs." https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/g02256/

"Metrolink trains will be out of service for four days starting on Tuesday, December 26 through Friday, December 29." This will affect ALL trains at LA Union Station, including Amtrak. Metrolink dispatches/maintains the tracks at LA Union Station so this will affect ALL trains at LA Union...

Changes build on earlier improvements to Amtrak’s fare structure https://media.amtrak.com/2023/10/amtrak-announces-simplified-fares-coming-soon/

Saturday 9 September I traveled on the Pacific Surfliner #770 and #777 to/from LA Union Station for the Train Festival Here are some images from the well-attended 2-day event. https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAV25C Greeted and conversed with Amtrak's Lamar "#ComeRideWithMe" Smith who was also there for...

Amtrak has announced "Service Adjustments" ahead of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Hilary for the Pacific Surfliner this weekend. I have also seen mention (on Facebook) of similiar advisories for the Sunset Limited/Texas Eagle. Lets hope there is no ground movement down by San Clemente as a result of...

"The Tokyo District Court has sentenced a man to 23 years in prison for a knife and arson attack on a train that left one person with serious injuries in 2021." https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/2626/

The Galesburg Virtual Railfan camera captured a stowaway crouching in the rear door opening of the California Zephyr #6(10) as the train was departing Galesburg this afternoon (7/12)

Saturday and Sunday, September 9th & 10th from 10 am to 6 pm daily https://unionstationla.com/happenings/trainfest-2023

From Bill Hatrick: "Greetings Friends, After 3 years of fun at Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, it is time to move on. WMSR has outgrown their need for the "Trail Sisters" as they have their own equipment now ... so NEW ADVENTURE AWAITS! I am looking to you, my railroad friends, to put out...