50 years later, Amtrak s future is suddenly bright
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Amtrak Turboliner Train at Rensselaer Station, New York. July 22, 1976 (Times Union Archive)Times Union Historic ImagesShow MoreShow Less
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A New York City destined Amtrak train waits at the Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak station on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, in Rensselaer, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)Will Waldron/Albany Times UnionShow MoreShow Less
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Interior of Amtrak Turbo Train. Rensselaer. July 23, 1976 (Times Union Archive)Times Union Historic ImagesShow MoreShow Less
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Line for Amtrak ticket counter in Rensselaer, New York train station. November 10, 1981 (Raymond B. Summers/Times Union Archive)Raymond B. Summers/Times Union Historic ImagesShow MoreShow Less
Officials in Saratoga call for earlier resumption of Amtrak service
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Officials in Saratoga Springs on Friday called for earlier resumption of Amtrak service to Saratoga Springs and eventually, more service.John Carl D Annibale
SARATOGA SPRINGS Local officials Friday said they don t want the Ethan Allen Express to be late for the races, or for any other event during the city s busy summer season.
The daily service between New York City and Rutland is one of two serving Saratoga Springs that have been on hiatus since the pandemic lockdown, leaving the popular resort without any passenger trains since April of last year.
Passenger rail service to Saratoga, Rutland to resume July 19
Vermont had closed its border to prevent coronavirus spread
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Vermont officials announced Thursday that Amtrak trains would return to the state in July, as the governor s pandemic reopening plan moves forward. The Ethan Allen Express, which had ended its run in Albany, will resume serving Schenectady, Saratoga Springs and Fort Edward on its way to Rutland. Above, coronavirus precaution signs at the Albany-Rensselaer train station in November. (Will Waldron/Times Union)Will Waldron/Albany Times Union
The Vermont Department of Transportation announced Thursday that Amtrak and state-supported inter-city bus service will resume in the state beginning July 19. The services had been suspended in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic.
New York s high-speed rail project faces lengthy new delay
Environmental study s completion pushed back more than nine months
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1of5Buy PhotoLocomotives for Amtrak s Lake Shore Limited service to Boston wait for departure after stopping at the Albany-Rensselaer rail station on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, in Rensselaer, N.Y. Amtrak is cutting back on long-distance trains to three days a week. (Will Waldron/Times Union)Will Waldron/Albany Times UnionShow MoreShow Less
2of5Buy PhotoAm Amtrak train heads west through the city on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. (Will Waldron/Times Union)Will Waldron/Albany Times UnionShow MoreShow Less
ALBANY It s not clear what exactly is delaying the arrival of high-speed rail in New York state.
On the verge of its 50th anniversary, the outlook for Amtrak has brightened considerably. The passenger railroad has received federal support to restore daily service on a dozen long-distance routes, order new locomotives and passenger cars, and extend services on existing routes, members of the rail advocacy group Empire State Passengers Association (ESPA) were told at their annual meeting this past weekend. Because of the pandemic, the meeting was held virtually. Among the improvements: The Ethan Allen Express between New York City and Rutland via Albany will be extended to Middlebury and Burlington, Vt., in early 2022, according to Lucas Irvine, road foreman of engines for Amtrak’s Empire Corridor. Construction of a tunnel through downtown Middlebury and other track and platform work are expected to be completed during this year’s construction season, said Christopher Parker, executive director of the Vermont Rail Action Network.