WASHINGTON – The long-distance trains that serve as the backbone of America ’s national intercity passenger rail network are attracting more passengers as Amtrak continues to implement its comprehensive and multi-year Route Performance Improvement (RPI) program. Read the full story

Amtrak, the U.S. long-distance passenger railroad, said it needs $11 billion in new rail equipment during the next 14 years and is examining ways to fund the purchases. Read the full story

U.S.-bound travellers from several Canadian cities stand to benefit from $8 billion in funding awarded Thursday by the Obama administration to speed up passenger-rail service and introduce high-speed trains across more than a dozen routes in the United States. Read the full story

The popularity of Amtrak’s Acela Express with the business elite of the Northeast Corridor might as well have earned the train a nickname: Boardroom on Rails.

Now the trains are getting another amenity straight from the corporate suite: leather seats. Read the full story

Amtrak’s Acela Express trains, which run from Washington to Boston, will soon be getting wireless Internet access.

Amtrak said that its installation of wireless Internet access on the high-speed trains would be complete in March and initially free to passengers. Amtrak made the announcement as part of a 2010 preview of its activities. Read the full story

Amtrak has been working hard to lure more business travelers to its trains, with advertisements highlighting its advantages over air travel — roomier seats, power outlets on its Acela trains and fewer annoyances.

And its efforts have borne some fruit: the number of riders on its Northeast corridor trains has been rising. Read the full story