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As Biden Pushes Major Rail Investments, Amtrak's 2035 Map Has People Talking

Laurel Wamsley

Amtrak has proposed a plan for new and enhanced rail connections across the United States. Amtrak hide caption

Amtrak has proposed a plan for new and enhanced rail connections across the United States.

When President Biden unveiled his major new infrastructure plan last week, the proposal included much more than fixing crumbling bridges. And for those who wish America had a more robust passenger train network, it gave them something new: hope.

Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure package has two provisions involving passenger rail: $85 billion to modernize public transit (commuter rail, buses, stations, etc.) and $80 billion to improve and expand the nation's passenger and freight rail network.

"You and your family could travel coast to coast without a single tank of gas onboard a high-speed train," Biden said at the plan's unveiling.

But the idea isn't just nice family trips — it's to use improved rail infrastructure and service to alleviate problems such as traffic and air pollution as well as improve access to jobs. Transportation is the largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

"The American Jobs Plan will build new rail corridors and transit lines, easing congestion, cutting pollution, slashing commute times, and opening up investment in communities that can be connected to the cities, and cities to the outskirts, where a lot of jobs are these days. It'll reduce the bottlenecks of commerce at our ports and our airports," Biden said.

The White House said the rail investment would "address Amtrak's repair backlog; modernize the high traffic Northeast Corridor; improve existing corridors and connect new city pairs; and enhance grant and loan programs that support passenger and freight rail safety, efficiency, and electrification."

Amtrak quickly responded with enthusiasm to Biden's plan, with a map and a vision for what an expanded U.S. rail network would look like by 2035.

The proposed transformation would mean some 30 new routes, and more trips on 20 existing ones. It projects 20 million more people served than the 32 million that rode Amtrak in the 2019 fiscal year.

It shows an array of potential new service lines: new rail connecting all of Texas' biggest cities and new connections across the Midwest, including between Cincinnati, Columbus, Ohio, and Cleveland. In the Southeast, new routes would stretch from Atlanta to Chattanooga and Nashville, Tenn., Savannah, Ga., and Montgomery, Ala.

There would be service to every state in the contiguous U.S. but South Dakota — a fact that drew the ire of Gov. Kristi Noem, who criticized the infrastructure package.

Amtrak says better rail service means "cleaner air, less traffic, and happier people," and it points to inequality that has resulted from the country's current patchy train service: "Many of the country's biggest and fastest growing metropolitan areas, with diverse populations, don't have the rail service they deserve."

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks to Amtrak employees during a February visit to Union Station in Washington, D.C. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks to Amtrak employees during a February visit to Union Station in Washington, D.C.

Cities such as Houston, Atlanta and Cincinnati currently have bare-bones Amtrak service, with trains that only stop once a day and often in the middle of the night. Major cities including Las Vegas, Nashville, Columbus and Phoenix don't have any Amtrak service at all.

And that happiness bit? Amtrak notes that in some cities, people spend more than 80 hours a year in traffic. "Population growth will make this much worse without better alternatives like rail," it warns.

Around the country, local news dug into what expanded rail could mean for their communities.

"More direct train service between Raleigh and Richmond — and cities beyond. New passenger lines running to the North Carolina coast and to the state's mountains," Raleigh, N.C.'s The News & Observer wrote .

"Prospects for a passenger rail line connecting Baton Rouge and New Orleans got a boost this week," wrote the New Orleans Advocate , noting that the last passenger train to serve Baton Rouge, La., ended service in 1969.

"Amtrak may soon have the cash to install a new rail line between Las Vegas and Los Angeles," the Reno Gazette-Journal said .

"President Joe Biden's infrastructure improvement plan would bring Amtrak passenger service back to Phoenix for the first time in decades," NPR member station KJZZ noted .

And on Twitter, people started posting the rail lines they'd like to see. Like a direct route from Ohio to Florida.

Before all that can happen, an infrastructure bill will need to get through Congress. The House and Senate are both working on infrastructure bills, which are expected to include what the administration has proposed, but the process is still unclear.

For those eager for alternatives to the car, the historic proposal by a president known for his former daily commute by Amtrak from home in Wilmington, Del., to D.C. is what they've been waiting for.

"President Biden's plan would revolutionize the way Americans travel, finally launching U.S. passengers into the 21st century," said Jim Mathews, president and CEO of the Rail Passengers Association.

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A) Live train running status for Indian railway trains means the current location of any train and its real time delay status. It also includes estimated arrival time of the train at upcoming stops.

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A) RailYatri started this easy-to-use app feature to simplify train travel for all its users. Now train status can be checked on the go via RailYatri mobile app or website to know the current location of the train and its delay status. Check train status through any modern day Internet-powered devices. If you are on a train you can also check live train status being offline by switching to GPS mode for fetching live train status. RailYatri recommends its users to use GPS mode while travelling on train for faster and more precise location.

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A) In general, RailYatri is a full-stack information and booking platform. Specifically, on running train status, RailYatri has the most frequent and real-time updates of train location. RailYatri collects train location data in a crowd-sourced manner from the GPS or Cell-Tower network of mobile phones of its users. Thus this data is more precise and real-time. We recommend our users to use the RailYatri app which also works offline if the user is enroute journey. In summary, RailYatri’s source of data is crowdsourced status shared by users who are on the train.

Q) What is offline Live Train Status? How does it work?

A) Offline live train status means that no internet connection is required to find the live train status and ETA of train at the upcoming station. This needs the one-time download of the time table or the route on the user’s phone. Post that if the user is on a train then he can find the exact location of the train and track the ETA in offline mode as well. This feature is very useful since railway tracks do not always have full network coverage. Hence, we recommend our users to use the RailYatri app for hassle-free travel.

Q) How is RailYatri’s Live Train Status updates more accurate than the traditional Indian railway model?

A) The running status updates on mobile provided by RailYatri app are much more accurate as it is derived from mobile GPS or Cell-tower of the devices shared by our users. The traditional Indian railway model for train running status depends on the updates from the last stop, which is delayed and prone to manual errors.

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A) It is critical to save on time while waiting to board your train or booking a taxi when you reach your destination. Train running status updates every minute. So, we recommend that our users check the status updates from time to time. The train running status information becomes more and more accurate, as the train is about to reach the estimated time of travel. This information helps you save time and plan better!

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Mastering On-the-Go Dining: How to Effortlessly Order Food in Train

Keywords: how to order food in train, live train running status

Embarking on a train journey intertwines serene vistas with a rhythm that invites relaxation. Yet, the challenge often arises in the quest for a good meal amidst the constant motion. The fusion of current technology with novel solutions now simplifies this quest, transforming how to order food in train into an effortless endeavour. This piece sheds light on securing a savoury meal as your carriage sways. Moreover, it highlights the role of live train running status, a pivotal resource in syncing your meal’s arrival with the train’s tempo.

The Evolution of On-the-Go Dining

Train journeys no longer mean munching on dull pantry food or hoarding packets of chips. Now, you can indulge in a feast of flavours, enjoying everything from local specialities to global dishes, all while seated. Start by grasping how to order food in train, transforming travel into a culinary adventure. Additionally, keep informed about your trip with the live train running status, ensuring a seamless journey. Embrace this blend of convenience and variety, and make each train ride a delightful experience.

Understanding Your Dining Options

Navigating the landscape of train cuisine unveils diverse pathways. Envision the classic pantry car, a staple in numerous trains, dispensing an array of edibles and beverages. While convenience is its hallmark, the culinary landscape here is as unpredictable as the live train running status, with each journey presenting a unique menu mosaic.

In stark contrast, the advent of e-catering services revolutionises dining on rails. This innovative platform opens a culinary gateway, connecting passengers with a plethora of eateries, spanning local delights to renowned chains. With this service, one can effortlessly orchestrate how to order food in train, ensuring a rendezvous with their chosen delicacies right at their seats, synchronising with the train’s scheduled halts.

For those seeking culinary predictability amidst their travels, pre-booked meals emerge as a beacon. This feature, integrated into numerous trains, offers the solace of choice and certainty. Travellers can articulate their dietary preferences while securing their tickets, embedding a personalised touch to their journey.

How to Order Food in Train Using E-Catering Services

Transforming the way we dine on rails, e-catering services offer a cornucopia of culinary delights right to your seat. Here’s a nuanced guide on how to order food in train:

• Strategise: Peer into your journey’s timeline. Grasp the rhythm of your train’s heartbeat—know its pulse, the stations it caresses. This foresight is your ally in pinpointing the perfect moment to invite flavours onboard.
•     Select Wisely: The digital realm brims with e-catering portals. IRCTC eCatering, a notable mention, blankets myriad routes, a mosaic of eateries at its fingertips. Choose a portal that not only intersects with your journey but also resonates with your gastronomic cravings.
•     Input Essentials: With a portal picked, whisper your PNR number to it, an alphanumeric soul of your ticket. This acts as a key, unlocking a trove where aromas and tastes await your beckoning.
•     Survey and Savour: Dive into a sea of menus. Each station is a chapter, and each menu is a verse in this Epicurean Odyssey. From the zest of Indian spices to the subtlety of South Indian fare, every craving finds solace here.
•     Command Your Feast: Once your heart and stomach align on a choice, let your selection glide into the cart. The digital checkout awaits, offering paths of payment—be it the immediacy of online transactions or the tangibility of cash upon delivery.
•     Time it Right: In this dance, with time, precision is your partner. Specify where and when you wish to rendezvous with your meal. Align it with the train’s tempo and the stations it embraces, ensuring your feast arrives as a timely guest.
•     Monitor the Journey: Post-order, the narrative of your meal unfolds in real time. Most e-catering platforms, diligent in their service, offer live narratives—the live train running status of your approaching banquet. It’s not just food that’s on the move; it’s anticipation, excitement, and an entire experience journeying to meet you.

The Role of Live Train Running Status

One crucial element in mastering on-the-go dining is keeping track of your train’s progress. This is where live train running status comes into play. It’s a powerful tool that ensures your food arrives on time and piping hot. Here’s how to use it effectively:

• a) Access Live Train Running Status: There are various ways to check your train’s real-time status. You can use dedicated websites and mobile apps or even inquire at the railway station.
• b) Know Your Train’s Schedule: Familiarise yourself with your train’s schedule, including its departure time, arrival time at various stations, and estimated delays.
• c) Plan Your Food Order: Use the live train running status to estimate when your train will reach the station where you plan to order food. Ensure that you factor in some buffer time for any potential delays.
• d) Place Your Order at the Right Time: Order your food well in advance, taking into account the estimated time of arrival at your chosen station. Ordering too early may result in cold food, while ordering too late might lead to missed deliveries.
• e) Stay Updated: Keep an eye on the live train running status as your journey progresses. If you notice any significant delays or changes in the estimated arrival time at your chosen station, adjust your food delivery time accordingly.

Tips for a Seamless On-Train Dining Experience

Embarking on a rail adventure? Navigating how to order food in train is only part of the equation; it’s also about savouring each bite. Here’s a guide to elevate your on-rail dining:

• a) Essential Kit: Tote along your own set of disposable utensils, napkins, and a water bottle. These small touches can significantly enhance your mealtime comfort.
• b) Local Delights: As your train snakes through diverse landscapes, seize the opportunity to indulge in regional delicacies. This isn’t just eating; it’s a culinary exploration of the very regions you traverse.
• c) Allergy Alert: Got dietary quirks or allergies? Ensure they’re communicated while ordering. It’s about enjoying, not enduring, your meal.
• d) Collective Feast: Journeying with companions? Turn mealtime into a shared saga. Opt for an assortment of dishes, transforming your table into a tapestry of tastes.
• e) Feedback Flow: Post meal, take a moment to share your thoughts. Your insights don’t just echo; they help refine the nexus of e-catering services and onboard dining options.

Remember, checking the live train running status can also smartly sync your meal times with your journey’s rhythm.

Navigating the art of on-the-move feasting aboard a train might sound daunting, yet it’s quite manageable. Harnessing the simplicity of e-catering and the insightful live train running status , you can seamlessly order food in train, transforming travel into a culinary delight. This guide, sprinkled with practical advice, ensures that your rail voyage becomes an enjoyable dining escapade. So, as you step onto your next train, bear in mind: relishing beloved dishes, even while journeying, is well within reach.

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Plan to restore passenger rail service across Montana is chugging along

More passenger rail through Montana isn’t just a hope and a dream, it’s a plan that’s chugging its way to reality, according to a report this week from the Big Sky Rail Authority.

And Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg is on board.

Representatives from the  Big Sky Rail Authority  updated the Transportation Interim Committee of the Montana Legislature this week shortly after Secretary Buttigieg visited the Treasure State and touted federal investments in infrastructure.

Big Sky Rail Authority Chairperson Dave Strohmaier said a federal rail study identifies two long-distance routes through Montana as preferred, an east-west line connecting Seattle to Chicago and a north-south line to Billings.

“Montana is really the epicenter and the beneficiary of two preferred long-distance routes in this study,” Strohmaier said.

He said getting Montana’s routes selected as preferred ones in the Federal Railroad Administration study was one of two key goals the Big Sky Rail Authority accomplished since it came into existence some three years ago. He said the routes would connect urban and rural communities in the American West.

At a separate event this week at the Missoula Montana Airport,  Buttigieg talked  about the ripple effects federal dollars for infrastructure have for customers, workers and economic development.

He said the West famously had some of America’s great railroads, but trains have experienced a loss of service, and it’s one reason the federal transportation department has put planning dollars into rail.

In December 2023, the Biden administration announced $8.2 billion in new grants for rail for projects ready to be built and ones in the works, including planning dollars for improved service  in Montana .

A couple of weeks ago, Buttigieg said he attended a ground-breaking on a high-speed rail line that will run between Nevada and  southern California . He said rail is part of the transit system, and a Corridor Identification Program will lead to a plan for implementing more rail.

“The bottom line is, passenger rail is something we believe in … we’ve done it before in this country, and we’ve done it well, and there’s no reason we can’t do it again,” Buttigieg said.

Strohmaier said a couple of major federal initiatives are underway related to rail, and Montana is in the mix in both. He answered questions by phone and also gave a report to the legislature Wednesday where he shared a map that showed the dearth of service in Montana.

“If folks are wondering about feasibility or not, that train has left the station,” Strohmaier said. “We are no longer debating feasibility. We are in the planning stage as we speak to make this happen.”

The planning is underway with a $500,000 grant from a federal Department of Transportation, he said. However, Rob Stapley, with the Montana Department of Transportation, said federal funds are not currently available for operating restored or new long-distance passenger routes.

Restoration of the North Coast Hiawatha is estimated to generate $271 million in economic benefits to seven states and cost Amtrak $68 million to operate, according to a 2021 report from the Rail Passengers Association. The report said the cost is offset by the collection of $41 million in fares and other customer revenue.

Samantha Beyl, of Rosebud County, told the committee that southeast Montana represents 20% of the state’s population and 26% of its landmass, and it is a place rich in cultural and recreational significance.

However, Beyl said many communities face challenges in accessing services such as health care, and passenger rail could help take people to cities where medical care is available, such as Billings.

In 2023, tourists spent $5.45 billion in Montana, including $1.6 billion on transit, she said, citing the Institute for Tourism and  Recreation Research  at the University of Montana. In southeast Montana alone, she said, non-residents spent $868 million in 2022.

“This underscores the importance of enhancing transportation infrastructure, such as the passenger rail system, to accommodate the growing demand for tourists,” said Beyl, a Forsyth City Councilor and member of the Big Sky Rail Authority.

The Big Sky Rail Authority is the largest transit district in the state of Montana and a subdivision of state government, Strohmaier said. Leaders include representatives from 20 member counties; three tribal nations, the Crow, Northern Cheyenne, and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes; and Amtrak, the Montana Department of Transportation and BNSF.

First, Strohmaier said, the Federal Railroad Administration’s long-distance study examines the potential to reopen discontinued routes or new ones of 750 miles or more. That study will wrap up soon, and it identifies both the North Coast Hiawatha, connecting Chicago to Seattle through southern Montana, and a north-south line to Billings, from El Paso or Denver, as preferred, he said.

“This is a big deal for the state of Montana and something that has been over four decades in the making,” Strohmaier said.

Additionally, Strohmaier said the North Coast Hiawatha is the only new long-distance route that will be recommended to Congress through another Federal Railroad Administration program, the Corridor Identification Program setting rail priorities.

“This too is a huge win for Montana,” he said.

He said a request for proposals to hire a firm to help get the project into the development pipeline will go out within days. The federal rail programs are part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

According to the Big Sky Rail Authority, the North Coast Hiawatha was discontinued in 1979, leaving “a vast expanse of the Greater Northwest Region” and some of Montana’s largest cities without passenger rail service.

Next steps for the plan include answering the “burning questions people have asked for so long,” said Strohmaier. Where will the stations be located? What will the schedules look like? What are the necessary infrastructure investments?

“What will the trains themselves be like?” said Strohmaier, also chairperson of the Board of Missoula County Commissioners.

He said a $500,000 federal grant supports the planning process, and a “shovel-ready project” should be ready for implementation in 2.5 to three years.

The collaboration includes the Federal Railroad Administration and eight states including Montana. Strohmaier said he met briefly with Buttigieg this week, and the secretary was aware of efforts in Montana and enthusiastic about them.

One question people have asked is whether a train could run through Butte in the future, but it’s a heavier lift than Helena because of the lack of an active rail line east of Butte, Strohmaier said. However, he said Butte remains in the mix for the long game.

“Short term, let’s just get the doggone train running through southern Montana (and) figure out transit connections through communities that might not initially see a rail stop,” Strohmaier said. “But absolutely, Butte is still in the mix as far as rail connectivity at some point in time.”

He also said infrastructure work near Malta is underway with a $15 million federal DOT grant. He said upgrades near Malta are important because it’s a chokepoint for passengers and freight.

This week, Strohmaier and an Amtrak official were headed to Havre for a meeting focused on the Empire Builder. He said a concern along the Hi-Line is if Montana adds passenger rail elsewhere, it will mean a loss of rail along the Hi-Line.

“Only with a strong Empire Builder can we have a strong and vital and sustainable North Coast Hiawatha,” Strohmaier said.

This story was initially published by The Daily Montanan, a nonprofit news organization and part of the States News network, covering state issues. Read more at www.dailymontanan.com.

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How You Can Track Your Flight Status in Real Time

There are some great online tools and apps that can help you determine if your flight will be delayed and by how long..

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If you’re wondering where in the world the airplane you’re supposed to be boarding soon might be, a flight tracking service can help.

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Perhaps you want to know what your flight status is so you can keep track of any possible delays or changes that could affect your travel plans—or worse, that would require you to rebook your flight. Or maybe you want to double-check the anticipated arrival time of a friend or loved one’s flight before heading to the airport to pick them up. Maybe you’re curious where the plane you’ll soon be boarding is flying from. Or perhaps you saw a plane overhead and are wondering where it’s headed. There are myriad reasons why you might want to check the status of a flight.

Luckily, there are tools to help you do that, and some of them will give you more information than you can get from the airline you are flying with—not least because they are tracking flights from all the airlines, not just one. These apps and websites share information on when your flight is expected to depart and land, and some can also give you a deep dive, pulling information like previous flights on that aircraft and what the weather looks like at the connecting airports. Here are a few flight tracking tools we recommend.

Google your flight number

Entering your flight information into Google can help locate estimated departure time, terminal, and gate.

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One of the easiest and fastest ways to check whether or not a flight is still slated to depart or arrive on time is to Google it. All you need to do is search for “[flight number] status” in the search bar (for example, “AA 2488 status”) and hit enter. Google then aggregates various flight-tracking websites and displays the estimated arrival and departure times at the top of the page. Google will also display the most up-to-date terminal and gate information.

Download the airline’s app

You should also always have your airlines’ apps downloaded so that you can get updates directly from the source. That way you can cross-reference the information the airline is providing you with data you are obtaining from other sources. While they certainly aren’t perfect, the airlines are getting better about sending out push notifications and updates whenever there are changes to the schedule, including when the departure time or gate changes. (You will need to allow for those push notifications in your settings, so if it’s something you want to see pop up, make sure you have them enabled on your phone and to update those settings whenever your phone updates.) If things are starting to unravel, the airline app is also a good place to start to see what your other options might be for alternative flights or rebooking.

Use a flight tracking service

Flightradar 24.

If you’re looking to get the complete picture of where a plane is on its journey—including real-time position— FlightRadar24 is a helpful resource that comes in the form of both a website and a free app.

You can really get into the weeds and look at data like all the scheduled arrivals and departures at a specific airport, including what type of plane it is and who it’s registered to (both commercial carriers and private aircraft owners). It’s also possible to see a plane’s flight records and everywhere it’s previously flown—including that day or over its lifetime, depending on how you set the search parameters.

If you’ve seen a plane overhead and are wondering where it’s going, FlightRadar24 can help there, too. It can pull all the planes flying within your vicinity. If there are multiple planes flying within your vicinity, it’ll share all of them, which makes it more challenging to figure out which one you’re looking at exactly, but it can help give you an idea.

Those who opt for the Premium service (which ranges from $10 to $500 per year, depending on the plan) can also learn more about the exact type of aircraft, how fast it’s going, and its altitude.

A screenshot of FlightAware’s Misery Map, which can help identify which airports are experiencing problems

Courtesy of FlightAware

FlightAware

Like FlightRadar24, FlightAware offers flight tracking data for any commercial flight worldwide with the help of a network of servers that capture a plane’s position in real time.

Whether you’re a frequent flier or an aviation geek, there are many ways to use the free service (available in both app and website form). If you have the flight number, FlightAware can provide information about expected departure and arrival times. If you don’t have the flight number, the Flight Finder option can help locate the flight number (though you do need to know the aircraft’s origin and destination airport). FlightAware also offers an interactive MiseryMap , which can show you what airports are currently experiencing problems (and more specifically, what routes are seeing delays and cancellations that day).

FlightAware is available as a free app or website, with the possibility of searching for five flights per month. After that, there are a handful of premium plans, which range from $40 to $130 per month, depending on how deep of a dive you want to do, such as tracking more flights or following a specific plane over time.

FlightStats

FlightStats is an easy-to-use online tool powered by Cirium , an aviation analytics company. It allows you to simply enter the flight number in question and it will provide you with all of the information about the flight, including whether or not it’s scheduled to depart on time. Another handy tool is the airport tracker, which allows you to search any airport and find out whether flights are departing on time or experiencing delays. Beyond the free flight tracking and airport delays information that is available to anyone, you can also opt for a “standard account,” which for $3 per month also includes flight alerts, or for $25 per month, a professional account will provide historical flight and airport data. Parent company Cirium releases regular on-time reports for both airlines and airports, providing an easy way to get a sense of which airlines and hubs are performing above the rest.

How flight tracking apps and websites work

Flight tracking apps and websites track flights in real time, all over the world. They’re used to check the status of a flight, see if an inbound aircraft has any anticipated delays, observe the weather radar throughout the flight path, view the exact route a plane is taking, and determine what type of aircraft it is.

Typically, they gain access through satellites to information about where planes are at any given time (which is possible because planes are constantly sharing their position with other aircraft and air traffic controllers for safety reasons).

Beyond letting you know if your flight will be delayed, flight trackers can help travelers get ahead of potential log jams, especially during busy travel periods (like the holiday season) or any time inclement weather threatens to derail your plans. Knowing ahead of time that your flight will be significantly delayed allows you to start proactively researching alternative flights and get yourself rebooked before everyone else on your flight starts flooding the help desks and customer service lines.

This story was originally published in April 2023 and was updated on May 14, 2024, to include current information.