Northeast Regional
Overview | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Service type | Intercity rail, High-speed rail (certain portions of route) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Locale | Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First service | 2008 (renamed from Regional) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current operator(s) | Amtrak | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ridership | 8,686,930 (FY18)[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Route | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Start | Boston, Springfield, Massachusetts, or New York City | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stops | 55 including all branches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
End | Washington, D.C. or Newport News, Norfolk, Roanoke, or Richmond, Virginia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distance travelled | 682 mi (1,098 km) (longest distance: Boston–Roanoke) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average journey time | 14 hours, 5 minutes (greatest travel time: Boston–Roanoke) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service frequency | 50+ trains per day[2][3][4] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Train number(s) | 65–67, 82, 84–88, 93–96, 99, 123, 125–126, 129–130, 132, 134–141, 143, 145–150, 152–179, 182–185, 189–190, 192–196 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On-board services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class(es) | Coach Class Business Class Sleeper Service[a] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sleeping arrangements | Roomette (2 beds)[a] Bedroom (2 beds)[a] Bedroom Suite (4 beds)[a] Accessible Bedroom (2 beds)[a] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Catering facilities | On-board café | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Baggage facilities | Overhead racks Checked baggage at selected stations[a] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Technical | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rolling stock | Amfleet I coaches Viewliner sleepers and baggage cars[a] Siemens ACS-64 locomotives GE Genesis locomotives | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating speed | Up to 125 mph (201 km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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 8,686,930 passengers in fiscal year (FY) 2018, a 1.4% increase over the 8.57 million passengers in FY 2017.[1] The Northeast Regional service earned over $613.9 million in gross ticket revenue in FY 2016, a 0.4% increase over the $611.7 million earned during FY 2015.[6]
The Northeast Regional offers daily all-reserved service, usually at least every hour. Trains generally run along the Northeast Corridor between Boston, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C., via New York City. 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 Pennsylvania Station (New York City) 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[]
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]
Virginia service[]
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.
After Amtrak took over intercity passenger service on May 1, 1971, rail service in Virginia was limited to a small number of long-distance trains, where they were often not suited to regional travel. Regional service south to Newport News began on June 14, 1976, when Amtrak ended the Newport News section of the James Whitcomb Riley and the Colonial was added in its place with two daily round trips from Boston to Newport News via Alexandria, Richmond and Williamsburg.
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.[18] 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.[19] In the first month, ridership doubled expectations.[20] 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.[21]
A further extension south from Richmond to Norfolk along Norfolk Southern tracks was planned by the Department of Rail & Public Transportation (DRPT), and the Commonwealth of Virginia in cooperation with Amtrak. Certain track upgrades (e.g., passing sidings, replacing track to increase operating speeds) between Richmond and Norfolk that were necessary to enable this extension were funded jointly by Norfolk Southern and DRPT. Service started on December 12, 2012.[22] A second daily Norfolk round trip on weekdays was added on March 4, 2019.[23] Schedules for the Newport News trains are also being modified to improve service to the Hampton Roads region.[24]
On August 9, 2013, it was announced that Amtrak hoped to complete track and infrastructure upgrades in order to bring train service to Roanoke by 2016.[25] The project encountered delays, and by late 2016 service was planned to begin in late 2017 with a single train extended from Lynchburg serving the city daily after construction of the Roanoke station platform, which was to begin in early 2017 and take most of the year.[26] Amtrak began service to Roanoke on October 31, 2017.[27]
On December 19, 2019, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced a $3.7 billion program to expand rail service in Virginia, which includes doubling the frequency of Amtrak service between Richmond and Washington.[28][29] As part of the program, the commonwealth paid CSX Transportation $525 million to purchase 223 miles of track and 386 miles of right-of-way, a deal which was finalized on March 31, 2021.[30] One round trip was extended from Staples Mill to Main Street in September 2021 as the first service expansion under the program.[31]
Extension of the route south of Roanoke to Christiansburg, Virginia, near Virginia Tech, is proposed, with further extension to Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee as a long-range possibility. Plans by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) depend on difficult negotiations with Norfolk Southern, and funding improvements for both freight and passenger service, as in previous agreements with private carriers. The town of Christiansburg acquired land for a new station in 2016.[32] Meanwhile, the DRPT has started a statewide bus service, operated by Megabus, called the Virginia Breeze, for areas not served by rail. The three daily bus routes terminate at Washington Union Station, with stops at a few other Northeast Regional stations, and bypassing others for stops closer to highways.
An infill station in Bedford on the Roanoke branch is planned for 2025. The DRPT estimates the station would draw 10,050 new riders per year and cost $10.9 million.[33]
Operation[]
Equipment[]
As of 2018, most Northeast Regional trains consist of 7 to 9 passenger cars hauled by a locomotive.[34]
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.
The overnight Northeast Regional service (trains 65, 66, and 67) have a different configuration with fewer Coach Class cars, a combination Business Class/Café car, a baggage car for checked baggage service, and a Viewliner sleeping car which travels the full route to and from Newport News, VA but is only open to passengers between Boston and Washington.
Between Boston and Washington, the service has overhead electric wires and is pulled by Siemens ACS-64 electric locomotives built from 2012 to 2015 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 P42DC diesel locomotives which have a slightly lower top speed of 110 mph (180 km/h).
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 also be purchased at a station ticket window or through a ticketing machine.[35]
- Coach Class: 2x2 seating. Reservations required, passengers self-select seats on a first-come, first-served basis.[36]
- Business Class: 2x2 or 2x1 reclining leather seats that have more legroom than coach. Passengers receive a complimentary soft drink. Reservations required, passengers reserve their specific seat in advance.[37]
- Sleeper Service (overnight trains only):[a] Viewliner Roomette, Bedroom or Accessible Bedroom. Passengers receive a complimentary alcoholic beverage upon boarding, a continental breakfast before arrival, and Metropolitan Lounge access in Washington, D.C. and Boston.[5]
Route[]
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).[38]
- MBTA Attleboro Line: Boston to MA/RI state line (dispatched and maintained by Amtrak)[39]
- Amtrak Northeast Corridor: MA/RI state line to New Haven, Connecticut
- CDOT New Haven Line: New Haven to CT/NY state line (dispatched and maintained by MNRR)
- MNRR New Haven Line: CT/NY state line to New Rochelle, New York
- Amtrak Northeast Corridor: New Rochelle to Washington, D.C.
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. 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.[]
State | Town/City | Station | Connections |
---|---|---|---|
MA | Boston | South Station | Amtrak: Acela, Lake Shore Limited MBTA Commuter Rail: Fairmount Line, Framingham/Worcester Line, Franklin Line, Needham Line, Old Colony Lines, Greenbush Line, Providence/Stoughton Line MBTA Subway: Red Line Silver Line MBTA Bus Intercity bus service at South Station Bus Terminal |
Back Bay | Amtrak: Acela, Lake Shore Limited MBTA Commuter Rail: Framingham/Worcester Line, Franklin Line, Needham Line, Providence/Stoughton Line MBTA Subway: Orange Line MBTA Bus | ||
Westwood | Route 128 | Amtrak: Acela MBTA Commuter Rail: Providence/Stoughton Line | |
RI | Providence | Providence | Amtrak: Acela MBTA Commuter Rail: Providence/Stoughton Line Local bus: Rhode Island Public Transit Authority |
West Kingston | Kingston | Local bus: Rhode Island Public Transit Authority | |
Westerly | Westerly | Local bus: Rhode Island Public Transit Authority | |
CT | Mystic | Mystic | |
New London | New London | CTrail: Shore Line East Local bus: Southeast Area Transit Intercity bus: Greyhound | |
Old Saybrook | Old Saybrook | CTrail: Shore Line East Local bus: Estuary Transit District | |
New Haven | Union Station | Amtrak: Acela, Hartford Line, Vermonter CTrail: Hartford Line, Shore Line East Metro-North: ■ New Haven Line Local bus: CTtransit New Haven Intercity bus: Greyhound, Peter Pan | |
Bridgeport | Bridgeport | Amtrak: Vermonter CTrail: Shore Line East Metro-North: ■ New Haven Line, ■ Waterbury Branch Local bus: Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority | |
Stamford | Stamford | Amtrak: Acela, Vermonter CTrail: Shore Line East Metro-North: ■ New Haven Line, ■ New Canaan Branch Local bus: CTtransit Stamford Intercity bus: Greyhound | |
NY | New Rochelle | New Rochelle | Metro-North: ■ New Haven Line Local bus: Bee-Line |
New York City | Penn Station | Amtrak (long-distance): Adirondack, Cardinal, Crescent, Lake Shore Limited, Palmetto, Pennsylvanian, Silver Meteor, Silver Star Amtrak (intercity): Acela, Carolinian, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express, Keystone Service, Maple Leaf, Vermonter Long Island Rail Road: ■ Main Line, ■ Port Washington Branch NJ Transit: ■ North Jersey Coast Line, ■ Northeast Corridor Line, ■ Gladstone Branch, ■ Montclair-Boonton Line, ■ Morristown Line NYC Subway: PATH: HOB-33 JSQ-33 JSQ-33 (via HOB) Local bus: MTA Bus | |
NJ | Newark | Newark Penn Station | Amtrak: Acela, Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Keystone Service, Palmetto, Pennsylvanian, Silver Meteor, Silver Star, Vermonter Newark Light Rail NJ Transit: ■ North Jersey Coast Line, ■ Northeast Corridor Line, ■ Raritan Valley Line PATH: NWK-WTC Local bus: NJ Transit Bus Intercity bus: Greyhound, Coach USA, Fullington Trailways |
Newark Airport | AirTrain Newark to Newark Liberty International Airport Amtrak: Keystone Service NJ Transit: ■ North Jersey Coast Line, ■ Northeast Corridor Line | ||
Iselin | Metropark | Amtrak: Acela, Keystone Service, Palmetto, Vermonter NJ Transit: ■ Northeast Corridor Line Local bus: NJ Transit Bus | |
New Brunswick | New Brunswick | Amtrak: Keystone Service, Palmetto NJ Transit: ■ Northeast Corridor Line Local bus: NJ Transit Bus Intercity bus: Suburban Transit | |
West Windsor | Princeton Junction | Amtrak: Keystone Service, Palmetto, Pennsylvanian NJ Transit: ■ Northeast Corridor Line, ■ Princeton Branch Local bus: NJ Transit Bus | |
Trenton | Trenton | Amtrak: Acela, Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Keystone Service, Palmetto, Pennsylvanian, Silver Star, Silver Meteor, Vermonter NJ Transit: ■ Northeast Corridor Line, ■ River Line SEPTA Regional Rail: ■ Trenton Line Local bus: SEPTA Suburban Bus, NJ Transit Bus | |
PA | Cornwells Heights | Cornwells Heights | Amtrak: Keystone Service SEPTA Regional Rail: ■ Trenton Line Local bus: SEPTA City Bus, SEPTA Suburban Bus |
Philadelphia | North Philadelphia | Amtrak: Keystone Service SEPTA Regional Rail: ■ Trenton Line, ■ Chestnut Hill West Line SEPTA City Transit: Broad Street Local bus: SEPTA City Bus | |
30th Street Station | Amtrak: Acela, Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Keystone Service, Palmetto, Pennsylvanian, Silver Meteor, Silver Star, Vermonter SEPTA Regional Rail: all lines NJ Transit: ■ Atlantic City Line SEPTA City Transit: Market-Frankford Subway-Surface Local bus: SEPTA City Bus, SEPTA Suburban Bus, NJ Transit Bus Intercity bus: Megabus, BoltBus, Martz Trailways | ||
DE | Wilmington | Wilmington | Amtrak: Acela, Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Palmetto, Silver Meteor, Silver Star, Vermonter SEPTA Regional Rail: ■ Wilmington/Newark Line Local bus: DART First State Intercity bus: Greyhound |
Newark | Newark | SEPTA Regional Rail: ■ Wilmington/Newark Line Local bus: Cecil Transit, DART First State, UNICITY Intercity bus: FlixBus | |
MD | Aberdeen | Aberdeen | MARC: ■ Penn Line Local bus: Harford Transit Intercity bus: Greyhound |
Baltimore | Penn Station | Amtrak: Acela, Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Keystone Service, Palmetto, Pennsylvanian, Silver Meteor, Silver Star, Vermonter MARC: ■ Penn Line Light RailLink Local bus: MTA Maryland, Charm City Circulator | |
BWI Airport | Amtrak: Acela, Vermonter MARC: ■ Penn Line Shuttle to Baltimore/Washington International Airport Local bus: MTA Maryland, UMBC Transit | ||
New Carrollton | New Carrollton | Amtrak: Vermonter MARC: ■ Penn Line Metro: Orange Line Local bus: Metrobus, TheBus, MTA Maryland Intercity bus: Greyhound | |
DC | Washington | Washington Union Station |
Amtrak: Acela, Capitol Limited, Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Palmetto, Silver Meteor, Silver Star, Vermonter, Thruway Motorcoach MARC: ■ Brunswick Line, ■ Camden Line, ■ Penn Line Virginia Railway Express: ■ Manassas Line, ■ Fredericksburg Line Metro: Red Line DC Streetcar: H Street/Benning Road Line Local bus: Metrobus, DC Circulator, MTA Maryland, Loudoun County Transit, PRTC Buses Intercity bus: Greyhound, Megabus, BoltBus, BestBus, Peter Pan, OurBus |
Springfield–New Haven[]
State | Town/City | Station | Connections |
---|---|---|---|
MA | Springfield | Springfield | Amtrak: Lake Shore Limited, Hartford Line, Vermonter, Valley Flyer CTrail: Hartford Line Local bus: Pioneer Valley Transit Authority Intercity bus: Greyhound, Peter Pan |
CT | Windsor Locks | Windsor Locks | Amtrak: Hartford Line, Vermonter, Valley Flyer CTrail: Hartford Line Local bus: CTtransit |
Windsor | Windsor | Amtrak: Hartford Line, Valley Flyer CTrail: Hartford Line Local bus: CTtransit | |
Hartford | Hartford | Amtrak: Hartford Line, Vermonter, Valley Flyer CTrail: Hartford Line Local bus: CTtransit Hartford BRT: CTfastrak Intercity bus: Greyhound, Peter Pan | |
Kensington | Berlin | Amtrak: Hartford Line, Valley Flyer CTrail: Hartford Line Local bus: CTtransit New Britain | |
Meriden | Meriden | Amtrak: Hartford Line, Vermonter, Valley Flyer CTrail: Hartford Line Local bus: CTtransit Meriden | |
Wallingford | Wallingford | Amtrak: Hartford Line, Valley Flyer CTrail: Hartford Line Local bus: CTtransit Wallingford | |
New Haven | State Street | Amtrak: Hartford Line, Valley Flyer CTrail: Hartford Line, Shore Line East Metro-North: ■ New Haven Line Local bus: CTtransit New Haven | |
To New Haven Union Station |
Washington, D.C.–Newport News / Norfolk[]
State | Town/City | Station | Connections |
---|---|---|---|
DC | From Washington Union Station | ||
Washington | L'Enfant | VRE: ■ Fredericksburg Line, ■ Manassas Line Metro: Blue Line, Silver Line, Orange Line, Green Line, Yellow Line Local bus: Metrobus, DC Circulator, MTA Maryland Commuter Bus, OmniRide | |
VA | Alexandria | Alexandria | Amtrak: Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Crescent, Silver Meteor, Silver Star VRE: ■ Fredericksburg Line, ■ Manassas Line Metro: Blue Line, Yellow Line Local bus: Metrobus, DASH |
Woodbridge | Woodbridge | VRE: ■ Fredericksburg Line Local bus: OmniRide | |
Quantico | Quantico | Amtrak: Carolinian VRE: ■ Fredericksburg Line Local bus: OmniRide | |
Fredericksburg | Fredericksburg | Amtrak: Carolinian, Silver Meteor VRE: ■ Fredericksburg Line Local bus: FRED | |
Ashland | Ashland | ||
Richmond | Richmond Staples Mill Road | Amtrak: Carolinian, Palmetto, Silver Meteor, Silver Star, Thruway Motorcoach Local bus: Greater Richmond Transit Company | |
Service to Newport News, Virginia | |||
Richmond | Richmond–Main Street | Local bus: Greater Richmond Transit Company | |
Williamsburg | Williamsburg | Local bus: Hampton Roads Transit, Williamsburg Area Transit Authority | |
Newport News | Newport News | Amtrak: Thruway Motorcoach Local bus: Hampton Roads Transit | |
Service to Norfolk, Virginia | |||
Ettrick | Petersburg | Amtrak: Carolinian, Palmetto, Silver Meteor, Silver Star | |
Norfolk | Norfolk | Tide Light Rail Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach |
Washington, D.C.–Roanoke[]
State | Town/City | Station | Connections |
---|---|---|---|
Virginia | From Alexandria Union Station | ||
Burke | Burke Centre | VRE: ■ Manassas Line Local bus: Metrobus, Fairfax Connector | |
Manassas | Manassas | Amtrak: Cardinal, Crescent VRE: ■ Manassas Line Local bus: OmniRide | |
Culpeper | Culpeper | Amtrak: Cardinal, Crescent | |
Charlottesville | Charlottesville | Amtrak: Cardinal, Crescent, Thruway Motorcoach Local bus: Charlottesville Area Transit | |
Lynchburg | Lynchburg | Amtrak: Crescent Local bus: Greater Lynchburg Transit Company | |
Roanoke | Roanoke | Local bus: Valley Metro, SmartWay Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach |
References[]
- ^ a b "Amtrak FY18 Ridership" (PDF). Amtrak. November 2018. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
- ^ a b "Amtrak Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Virginia Service Timetable" (PDF). Amtrak. March 4, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Amtrak Northeast Corridor BOS–WAS Timetable" (PDF). Amtrak. March 4, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
- ^ a b "Amtrak Northeast Corridor NYP–WAS Timetable" (PDF). Amtrak. March 4, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
- ^ a b Woods, Kimberly (March 8, 2021). "Amtrak To Add Private Rooms to Overnight Northeast Regional Trains". Amtrak Media (Press release) (in American English). Retrieved March 18, 2021.
{{cite press release}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Amtrak FY16 Ridership and Revenue Fact Sheet" (PDF). Amtrak. April 17, 2017. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
- ^ "The eternal question: New York via train or bus?". Greater Greater Washington. August 3, 2010. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
- ^ "Scanner". Trains. February 1997.
- ^ "A step back in the Northeast". Trains. August 1999. p. 17.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Johnston, Bob (January 2001). "Acela Express begins; NEC schedules revamped". Trains. Vol. 61, no. 1. p. 24. ISSN 0041-0934.
- ^ "Amtrak to Limit Use of Train Name 'Acela'". Huron Daily Tribune. Associated Press. March 4, 2003.
- ^ "Form W4–50M–4/7/08 Northeast Corridor: Boston to Virginia Beach" (PDF). Amtrak. April 7, 2008.
- ^ "Regional Re-Launch Begins Today" (PDF). Amtrak This Week. Amtrak. June 23, 2008 – via Government Attic.
- ^ "At Least 7 Dead, Over 200 Hurt After Amtrak Train Derails, Rolls on Side in Philadelphia". Philadelphia, PA: WPVI-TV. May 12, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
- ^ "Did something strike Amtrak train before crash?". ABC7 Chicago. May 15, 2015.
- ^ McKenna, Charlie (March 8, 2021). "Amtrak to add private rooms to Northeast regional overnight trains". Boston Globe. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Northeast Corridor Timetable 3" (PDF). Amtrak. October 1, 2009. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- ^ Reed, Ray (December 16, 2009). "Amtrak's Lynchburg-Washington line beats projections". The News & Advance. Retrieved December 17, 2009 – via The Committee to Advance The TransDominion Express.
- ^ "Amtrak Virginia Introduces Additional Service Between Richmond, VA and Washington, DC". ETB Travel News. July 14, 2010. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- ^ "Governor McDonnell Announces Amtrak Virginia to Norfolk to Start December 12". Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. August 30, 2012. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- ^ "Virginia Announces Additional Amtrak Service to Norfolk Beginning March 4th" (Press release). Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. January 18, 2019.
- ^ "Newport News & Norfolk Schedule Optimization" (PDF). Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. January 10, 2019.
- ^ Marrano, Gene (August 20, 2013). "Passenger Rail Is Coming To Roanoke Says Governor McDonnell". The Roanoke Star. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
- ^ Sturgeon, Jeff (December 6, 2016). "State hunts for contractor to build Roanoke Amtrak platform". Roanoke Times. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- ^ Wickline, Alison (October 30, 2017). "Roanoke celebrates inaugural Amtrak ride". WSLS.
- ^ MARTZ, MICHAEL. "Virginia has $3.7 billion deal to expand rail service between Richmond and Washington". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- ^ Lazo, Luz (December 19, 2019). "Virginia to build Long Bridge and acquire CSX right of way to expand passenger train service". Washington Post. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- ^ Pascale, Jordan (March 31, 2021). "Virginia Finalizes $3.7 Billion Deal To Acquire Tracks From CSX". WAMU. Retrieved April 9, 2021 – via National Public Radio.
- ^ Lazo, Luz (September 27, 2021). "Virginia expands Amtrak service to downtown Richmond as part of $3.7 billion rail program". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
- ^ "Christiansburg buys property for proposed rail station".
- ^ Smith, Rachael. "Rail stop in Bedford becomes more realistic after study is completed". NewsAdvance.com. No. 26 October 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
- ^ "Amtrak - Northeast Regional". TrainWeb. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- ^ "Travel Guide to Train Fares". Amtrak. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- ^ "Reserved Coach Class Seat". Amtrak. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- ^ "Amtrak Expands Popular Assigned Seat Offering to Northeast Regional Trains in Business Class". Amtrak. October 24, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
- ^ "Amtrak National Facts". Amtrak. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- ^ "Amtrak to continue providing service to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority under new agreement". August 7, 2017.
Notes[]
External links[]
Route map:
( • help)
|
- Media related to Northeast Regional at Wikimedia Commons
- Northeast Regional – Amtrak
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Rail travel in the United States. |
- Amtrak routes
- Passenger rail transportation in Massachusetts
- Passenger rail transportation in Rhode Island
- Passenger rail transportation in Connecticut
- Passenger rail transportation in New York (state)
- Passenger rail transportation in New Jersey
- Passenger rail transportation in Pennsylvania
- Passenger rail transportation in Delaware
- Passenger rail transportation in Maryland
- Passenger rail transportation in Washington, D.C.
- Passenger rail transportation in Virginia
- Commuter rail in the United States
- Higher-speed rail