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

The Orlando, Fla., to New Orleans, La., segment of the Sunset Limited has been gone since hurricane Katrina damaged the rails of CSX Transportation, the train’s host, in 2005. But after four years of inaction, politicians and various community groups in three states have begun pressing for the train’s return. Read the full story

BOSTON—Amtrak had record-breaking ridership on Thanksgiving week, including strong showings on some New England routes.

Amtrak announced Tuesday that it had 685,876 passengers over the holiday travel week, beating the old record of 666,716 set in 2007. Read the full story

Chicago Union Station

CHICAGO – Amtrak says 1.8 million passengers rode its state-supported trains in Illinois in fiscal year 2009, a slight increase from 2008.

The Illinois Department of Transportation supports several Amtrak routes. The most popular are the routes from Chicago to St. Louis and from Chicago to Milwaukee. Read the full story

Ottumwa Amtrak Station, Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa – Amtrak ridership in Iowa broke a record this year, with more than 66,000 passengers getting on and off trains at Iowa stations during the federal budget year that ended Sept. 30.

That was a 3 percent increase, or about 2,000 more passengers compared with a year earlier. Officials say it was the most in Iowa since Congress created Amtrak in 1971. Read the full story