Amtrak

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Amtrak

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | 2008 | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Amtrak the National Railroad Passenger Corp., authorized to operate virtually all intercity passenger railroad routes in the United States. Amtrak was created by Congress in 1970 in response to more than two decades of continuous operating deficits by privately run passenger railroads; over 100 of the nation's 500 passenger railroad lines at the time had filed discontinuation-of-service petitions with the Interstate Commerce Commission . Given an initial funding of $40 million and $100 million in federal loan guarantees, Amtrak was designed to be a profit-making, quasipublic enterprise. Its board of directors includes three representatives of labor states and business appointed by the president, two representing commuter authorities, and two representing stockholders of the corporation's preferred stock. Amtrak began operation in 1971, reducing the number of intercity passenger rail routes by one half, retaining service mainly in areas of high density travel. Amtrak now runs up to 300 trains per day to 500 stations over 21,000 route miles, and carries nearly 26 million passengers a year, mainly in the Northeast and on the West Coast. It owns 730 miles, mostly in the Northeast corridor, while contracting with private railroads to run in the rest of the nation.

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Amtrak

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | © The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English 2009, originally published by Oxford University Press 2009. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Am·trak / ˈamˌtrak/ trademark a federal passenger railroad service in the U.S., operated by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.

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Facts and information from other sites

Related articles from newspapers, magazines, and more

Amtrak Welcomes Northwest Passengers Whose Flights Are Cancelled Due to the Possible Strike
PR Newswire; 8/27/1998; 700+ words ; ...strike against Northwest Airlines can choose Amtrak to get them to their destinations. Amtrak will honor Northwest Airlines tickets for their...Airlines has already cancelled as a precaution. Amtrak offers convenient and affordable service throughout...
AMTRAK OVERSIGHT:PHYLLIS F. SCHEINBERG
Transcript from: Congressional Testimony; 9/26/2000; 700+ words ; ...PASSENGER RAIL Decisions on the Future of Amtrak and Intercity Passenger Rail Are Approaching...National Railroad Passenger Corporation's (Amtrak) progress toward achieving operating...expected federal funding; and the future of Amtrak and intercity passenger rail. The Congress...
AMTRAK OVERSIGHT:JOSEPH VRANICH,
Transcript from: Congressional Testimony; 9/26/2000; 700+ words ; ...opportunity to testify before you regarding Amtrak. Because of time limitations, I will...reasons is referred to as the father of Amtrak. He agrees with the overall thrust of...embarrassed to admit that I worked to create Amtrak. The Amtrak I and others envisioned would...
Amtrak draws record ridership: Riding high, despite funding, scheduling issues
Newspaper article from: Charleston Gazette; 9/8/2007; ; 700+ words ; ABOARD AMTRAK'S LINCOLN SERVICE - The Illinois cornfields...whizzing past Mark Hardacre's view from the Amtrak cafe car had nothing on the memorable splendor...things he'd not seen in his three previous Amtrak treks across this nation's rails over...
Amtrak and Motorcoaches Make New Connections in Florida
PR Newswire; 11/3/1997; 700+ words ; CHICAGO, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Amtrak and First Class Coaches, a motorcoach service, have expanded Florida connections between Amtrak trains in Palatka with Gainesville, Amtrak trains in Tampa with Tarpon Springs/Spring Hill...
Amtrak: stimulated to grow (no, really!).(Transit Update)(National Railroad Passenger Corp)
Magazine article from: Railway Age; 3/1/2009; ; 700+ words ; ...ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Suddenly, everyone cares about Amtrak--and Amtrak has some funds to show for it. The National Railroad...habitually feeding at the federal trough, for kid brother Amtrak it's a veritable feast. Amtrak officials have their...
AMTRAK'S SURVIVAL THREATENED BY LABOR ISSUES; SENATE LETS STATES SPEND TRUST FUND DOLLARS ON AMTRAK, ACCORDING TO ASSOCIATION
PR Newswire; 6/22/1995; 700+ words ; ...states to use two types of highway funds on Amtrak and the Alaska Railroad (the "Surface...Association of Railroad Passengers. Yet Amtrak's very survival remains threatened by...VA), approved FY 1996 funding for Amtrak, including $216 million for operations...
Amtrak President Says $200 Million Loan Needed Soon.
Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News; 6/7/2002; 700+ words ; ...New York to Seattle with her cousin aboard an Amtrak train. "It was a tremendous trip," said...Weber said. But the charming trip afforded by Amtrak may soon become a thing of the past. Amtrak's new president is warning that the cash...
AMTRAK'S DESTINATION: RECOVERY OR EXTINCTION?
Newspaper article from: Post-Tribune (IN); 11/24/1999; 700+ words ; ...PHOTO - 2 (COLOR) Passengers board an Amtrak train at Union Station in Alexandria...COLOR)(ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO) An Amtrak conductor prepares to bard the train in...year for rail travel in America, finds Amtrak and its government monitors on different...
Amtrak Seeks Affordable Agreement with Track Maintenance Workers
PR Newswire; 8/5/1997; 700+ words ; ...Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWE), Amtrak today explained that the nation's passenger...parity with profitable freight railroads. Amtrak and the BMWE have been negotiating without...principal issues between the BMWE and Amtrak involve benefits, wages and work rules...

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