Northeast_Regional

<i>Northeast Regional</i>

Northeast Regional

Amtrak northeastern U.S. intercity rail service

The Northeast Regional is an intercity rail service operated by Amtrak in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States. In the past it has been known as the NortheastDirect, Acela Regional, or Regional. It is Amtrak's busiest route, carrying 9,163,082 passengers in fiscal year (FY) 2023.[5] The Northeast Regional service earned over $787.7 million in gross ticket revenue in FY 2023.[6]

Quick Facts Overview, Service type ...

The Northeast Regional offers daily all-reserved service, usually at least every hour. Trains generally run along the Northeast Corridor between Boston in the north to Washington, D.C. in the south with multiple stops, including in New York City, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. Extensions and branches provide service to Newport News, Norfolk, and Roanoke, Virginia, and Springfield, Massachusetts, with intermediate stops.

Trains cover the most popular stretch between New York Penn Station and Washington Union Station in approximately 3.5 hours.[7] The section between New York and Philadelphia takes 1.5 hours, while the part between Philadelphia and Washington takes 2 hours.[4]

North of New York, the travel time to Boston is 4 hours, while trips to Springfield take 3.5 hours.[3] South of Washington, trains take 4.5 hours to reach Newport News, 4.5 hours to reach Norfolk, or 5 hours to reach Roanoke.[2]

History

See also: List of Amtrak routes on the Northeast Corridor
An HHP-8 locomotive and Amfleet I cars in Acela Regional branding at South Station in Boston, in March 2002
The NortheastDirect branding was used for most Northeast Regional services between 1995 and 2003

The services along the line, as inherited from Penn Central, once had their own names, such as the "Yankee Clipper" and the "Federal"; typically a name applied to at most one train and its "twin" in the opposite direction. Electrification ended at New Haven, Connecticut, requiring an engine change. On October 28, 1995, Amtrak introduced the "NortheastDirect" brand for all trains on the Northeast Corridor (and its extension to Newport News, Virginia) except for the express Metroliner and hourly Clocker services. The November 10, 1996, timetable restored the old names in addition to the NortheastDirect brand.[8] The names (except the Twilight Shoreliner) were dropped with the May 16, 1999, schedule.[9]

In 2000, Amtrak completed electrifying the route from New Haven to Boston in preparation for the introduction of the Acela Express, thereby eliminating the engine change at New Haven. The first two all-electric round-trips to and from Boston were branded Acela Regional and equipped with refurbished Amfleet cars painted in the Acela-like "Phase V" livery. All-electric service began on January 31, 2000.[10] The NortheastDirect branding continued to be used for trains which changed from electric to diesel traction in New Haven.[11]

Due to customer confusion with the Acela Express, the name was changed again on March 17, 2003, to simply "Regional."[12] As part of rebranding and service improvements, the name was changed to "Northeast Regional" on June 23, 2008 (though it also appeared on schedules several months beforehand).[13][14]

On May 12, 2015, Northeast Regional Train 188, traveling from Washington, D.C., to New York City, derailed in the Port Richmond neighborhood of Philadelphia, killing eight people and injuring more than 200 people. The train derailed along a curve and was determined to have been traveling at a speed of about 100 mph, exceeding the limit of 50 mph on that curve.[15] This speed limit was not posted; engineers on that route are expected to rely on memory to control the speed of the train. Additionally, the train was suspected to have been hit by a projectile, as was a commuter train in the area shortly before the derailment.[16]

Private sleeping rooms on overnight trains 65/66/67, last available in 2004 on the Federal, were made available effective April 5, 2021.[17] The overnight trains were temporarily cancelled in January 2022; they resumed in July 2022 without sleepers.[18][19] They were temporarily cancelled north of New York City effective April 4, 2023, due to Penn Station Access construction.[20]

Virginia service

Main article: Amtrak Virginia
A Northeast Regional crosses the James River near Lynchburg, Virginia, in April 2011

Some Northeast Regional trains continue into Virginia, serving three branches to Norfolk, Newport News, and Roanoke, serving points in between. These tracks are not electrified and are partially owned by both freight railroads and the State of Virginia.

Virginia and Amtrak partnered in 2009 under the brand Amtrak Virginia to expand passenger rail service within the Commonwealth, making Virginia the 15th state to fund state services in addition to federally funded routes.[21]

One daily Northeast Regional round trip was extended to from Washington to Lynchburg via Manassas and Charlottesville on October 1, 2009, supplementing the existing Crescent service.[22] Service was extended from Lynchburg to Roanoke starting October 31, 2017.[23] A second daily Roanoke round trip was added on July 11, 2022.[19] An extension from Roanoke to Christiansburg, Virginia, near Virginia Tech, is in planning,[24] as is an infill station in Bedford, Virginia.[25]

On July 20, 2010, Amtrak added an additional Northeast Regional frequency from Washington to Richmond Staples Mill Road station, increasing the Washington-Richmond corridor to eight daily round trips with hourly northbound morning service.[26] One round trip was extended from Richmond to Norfolk starting December 12, 2012.[27] A second daily Norfolk round trip on weekdays was added on March 4, 2019.[28] One round trip was extended from Staples Mill to Main Street in September 2021.[29] Service changes on July 11, 2022, added an additional Norfolk weekday round trip (making three round trips on weekdays and two on weekends).[19]

Proposed expansion

In spring 2021, Amtrak proposed extending three Northeast Regional round trips from New York Penn Station to Ronkonkoma station along the Main Line of the Long Island Rail Road, with stops at Jamaica, Mineola, Hicksville, and Deer Park. The move would enable one-seat rides between Long Island and points south on the Northeast Corridor, provide express train service within Long Island, and connect JFK International Airport to the Amtrak network.[30] In December 2023, the Federal Railroad Administration accepted the project into its Corridor Identification and Development Program, granting $500,000 toward service planning and prioritizing the route for future federal funding.[31]

Operation

Equipment

A typical Northeast Regional with an ACS-64 locomotive and Amfleet I passenger cars at New London Union Station

As of 2018, most Northeast Regional trains consist of 7 to 9 passenger cars hauled by a locomotive.[32]

The passenger cars are the Amfleet I series passenger cars built by the Budd Company in the mid-to-late 1970s. Most trains include a Business Class car, a Café car (food service/lounge), and up to seven Coach Class cars, one of which is designated the Quiet Car, where passengers are asked to refrain from loud talking and mobile phone conversations.

Between Boston and Washington, the service has overhead electric wires and is pulled by Siemens ACS-64 electric locomotives at speeds up to 125 mph (201 km/h). Northeast Regional trains operating south of Washington, D.C., into Virginia and on the New Haven–Springfield Line use GE Genesis diesel locomotives which have a slightly lower top speed of 110 mph (180 km/h).

In the coming years all equipment will be replaced with Amtrak Airo trainsets, the railroad's branding of its combination of Siemens Venture passenger cars and a Siemens Charger diesel-electric locomotive.[33] The trainsets for the Northeast Corridor will have eight passenger cars, which will include a food service area and a mix of 2×2 Coach Class and 2×1 Business Class seating.[34] The car closest to the locomotive will be a specialized "Auxiliary Power Vehicle" which will include a pantograph to collect power from overhead lines and will feed it to four traction motors in the car, and via a DC link cable, to the four traction motors in the locomotive.[35] Outside of electrified territory, the locomotive's diesel engine will generate power for the traction motors. The arrangement will offer a near-seamless transition between power sources on through trains to Virginia and Springfield, Massachusetts, a process that currently requires a time-consuming locomotive change.

Classes of service

All classes of service include complimentary WiFi, an electric outlet (120 V, 60 Hz AC) at each seat, reading lamps, fold-out tray tables. Reservations are required on all trains, tickets may be purchased online, from a station agent, a ticketing machine, or, at a higher cost, from the conductor on the train.[36]

  • Coach Class: 2×2 seating. Passengers self-select seats on a first-come, first-served basis.[37]
  • Business Class: 2×2 or 2×1 seating with more legroom than coach. Passengers receive a complimentary soft drink. Seats are assigned in advance.[38]

Route

Northeast Regional route map

Most Northeast Regional trains operate over the Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington (via New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore). The corridor is owned, in part, by Amtrak, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), Metro-North Railroad (MNRR), and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT).[39]

Some trips diverge at New Haven and turn north to serve Springfield, Massachusetts, operating over Amtrak's New Haven–Springfield Line. For trains that don't, Amtrak's Hartford Line trains provide connecting service along the line, with timed transfers to and from many Northeast Regional trips.[3]

Several trips continue south of Washington D.C. to Virginia, running to either Roanoke, Richmond, Newport News, or Norfolk. All Virginia services use the northernmost portion of the ex-Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad (now owned by CSX Transportation) between Washington and Alexandria, Virginia. South of Alexandria, trains to Roanoke use the Norfolk Southern Railway (ex-Southern Railway, ex-Virginia Midland Railway). Trains to Richmond, Norfolk and Newport News use the CSX RF&P, Richmond Terminal, and Bellwood subdivisions between Alexandria and Richmond.

South of Richmond, trains to Newport News use the CSX Peninsula Subdivision (ex-Chesapeake and Ohio Railway). Trains to Norfolk use the CSX North End Subdivision and Norfolk Southern's Norfolk District (ex-Norfolk and Western Railway).

Funding

Amtrak receives federal funding for its operations between Boston and Washington, D.C. Northeast Regional operations south of Washington are funded in part by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Operations along the New Haven–Springfield Line are funded by the State of Connecticut and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Station stops

Boston–Washington, D.C.

More information State, Town/City ...

Springfield–New Haven

More information State, Town/City ...

Washington, D.C.–Newport News / Norfolk

More information State, Town/City ...

Washington, D.C.–Roanoke

More information State, Town/City ...

References

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    "Amtrak Fiscal Year 2023 Ridership" (PDF). Amtrak. November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  2. [2]
    "Amtrak Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Virginia Service Timetable" (PDF). Amtrak. March 4, 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 20, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  3. [3]
    "Amtrak Northeast Corridor BOS–WAS Timetable" (PDF). Amtrak. March 4, 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 26, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  4. [4]
    "Amtrak Northeast Corridor NYP–WAS Timetable" (PDF). Amtrak. March 4, 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 26, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
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    "Amtrak Fiscal Year 2023 Ridership" (PDF). Amtrak. November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
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    "September 2023 Monthly Performance Report 2023" (PDF). Amtrak. October 31, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
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    "The eternal question: New York via train or bus?". Greater Greater Washington. August 3, 2010. Archived from the original on October 14, 2017. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
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    "Scanner". Trains. February 1997.
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    "A step back in the Northeast". Trains. August 1999. p. 17.
  10. [10]
    Palmer, Thomas C. Jr. (February 1, 2000). "Amtrak Unveils All-Electric Train Boston-N.Y. Trip Takes 4 Hours on Acela Regional". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  11. [11]
    Johnston, Bob (January 2001). "Acela Express begins; NEC schedules revamped". Trains. Vol. 61, no. 1. p. 24. ISSN 0041-0934.
  12. [12]
    "Amtrak to Limit Use of Train Name 'Acela'". Huron Daily Tribune. Associated Press. March 4, 2003. Archived from the original on October 22, 2018. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
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    "Form W4–50M–4/7/08 Northeast Corridor: Boston to Virginia Beach" (PDF). Amtrak. April 7, 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 22, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
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    "Regional Re-Launch Begins Today" (PDF). Amtrak This Week. Amtrak. June 23, 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2018 – via Government Attic.
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    "At Least 7 Dead, Over 200 Hurt After Amtrak Train Derails, Rolls on Side in Philadelphia". Philadelphia, PA: WPVI-TV. May 12, 2015. Archived from the original on May 13, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
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    Johnston, Bob (April 19, 2022). "Amtrak to restore four long-distance trains to daily service in late May". Trains News Wire.
  19. [19]
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  20. [20]
    Coval, Amy (March 29, 2023). "Amtrak suspending 3 regional trains with service in CT due to construction project". CT Insider. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  21. [21]
    "NEW WEBSITE FOR AMTRAK TRAVELERS IN VIRGINIA – AMTRAKVIRGINIA.COM" (PDF) (Press release). Amtrak. September 24, 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 7, 2016.
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    "Northeast Corridor Timetable 3" (PDF). Amtrak. October 1, 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 6, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
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    Wickline, Alison (October 30, 2017). "Roanoke celebrates inaugural Amtrak ride". WSLS. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  24. [24]
    "Christiansburg buys property for proposed rail station". August 17, 2016. Archived from the original on August 6, 2021. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  25. [25]
    Smith, Rachael. "Rail stop in Bedford becomes more realistic after study is completed". NewsAdvance.com. No. October 26, 2021. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  26. [26]
    "Amtrak Virginia Introduces Additional Service Between Richmond, VA and Washington, DC". ETB Travel News. July 14, 2010. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  27. [27]
    "Governor McDonnell Announces Amtrak Virginia to Norfolk to Start December 12". Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. August 30, 2012. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  28. [28]
    "Virginia Announces Additional Amtrak Service to Norfolk Beginning March 4th" (Press release). Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. January 18, 2019. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  29. [29]
    Lazo, Luz (September 27, 2021). "Virginia expands Amtrak service to downtown Richmond as part of $3.7 billion rail program". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 19, 2022. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  30. [30]
    "Expanded Long Island Corridor: One-Seat Rail Service". Amtrak Connects US. Amtrak. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  31. [31]
    "FY22 Corridor Identification and Development Program Selections" (PDF). railroads.dot.gov. Federal Railroad Administration. December 2023. p. 10. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  32. [32]
    "Amtrak - Northeast Regional". TrainWeb. Archived from the original on March 28, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  33. [33]
    "Introducing Our New Trains: Amtrak Airo". Amtrak. December 15, 2022. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  34. [34]
    "Amtrak FY 2022–2027 Asset Line Plan" (PDF). Amtrak. p. 132. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 12, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  35. [35]
    Worrell, Carolina (December 19, 2022). "First Look: Amtrak Airo". Railway Age. Archived from the original on December 19, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  36. [36]
    "Travel Guide to Train Fares". Amtrak. Archived from the original on July 29, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  37. [37]
    "Reserved Coach Class Seat". Amtrak. Archived from the original on June 20, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  38. [38]
    "Amtrak Expands Popular Assigned Seat Offering to Northeast Regional Trains in Business Class". Amtrak. October 24, 2019. Archived from the original on October 29, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  39. [39]
    "Amtrak National Facts". Amtrak. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  40. [40]
    "Amtrak to continue providing service to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority under new agreement". August 7, 2017. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.

Notes

  1. Amtrak's Fiscal Year (FY) runs from October 1 of the prior year to September 30 of the named year.
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