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Amount you paid.

At this point it's anybody's guess as to what will happen. Neither AGR or BoA have stated anything in regards to whether or not a transition will happen yet. I would expect at least one billing cycle notice of any changes and how exactly points will be issued for transactions. But until there's...

That's also a very IL-centric network, with most of the benefits serving Illinois (or, to a lesser extent, other non-Iowa destinations.) Much of the speed improvements and arguments you detail are good for a national or Midwest regional network, but aren't particularly relevant to an Iowa...

The admins better have the quarters ready to keep the server running when everyone rushes over after the announcement!

What's the point of spending money to upgrade tracks and operate trains if it isn't going to hit most of the useful city pairs? Chicago - Des Moines is a market, but travel times will likely be longer than via an upgraded IAIS route, particularly if the BNSF route stays at or below 90MPH...

Kind of reiterating on my last point (but expanding on it) - I would be surprised if Amtrak gives up the credit card point gravy train entirely. It's simply too lucrative - the banks pay Amtrak for the AGR points issued, and people are likely more willing to part with a large points balance than...

Amtrak certainly makes some money on selling AGR points to BoA, and any future card would almost certainly be similar. However, I highly doubt BoA (or any future credit card issuer) pays 2.8 cents to Amtrak for every point they purchase/issue. For other cards it's speculated that the purchase...

On a nearly-4-hour late Builder between MKE and CBS - started out in Chicago 3hr 30min down with no stated reason as to why. At least they're providing some bags of Chex Mix and bottles of water, I suppose.

It's in a few plans and potential future maps, and that's about it. If Minnesota ever gets truly serious about passenger rail, I'd expect it to be a pretty low priority, unfortunately. MSP - Duluth, MSP - Fargo/Grand Forks, MSP - Kansas City, and even MSP - Sioux Falls are likely to be bigger...

Correct. So long as both stations have checked baggage service, the train you're taking doesn't have to offer it. The caveat is that it'll only go on trains with checked baggage service, so you'll have to come back and pick it up once it comes in.

With that amount of luggage, I would suggest taking a taxi to Newark Penn and checking in the bags. While the NERs and Acelas won't carry the luggage directly, they can be placed on the long-distance trains that go through the station. Checking the two largest bags and the two middle-sized bags...

Based on that notice, it appears that there isn't enough equipment to quickly build up a replacement consist. Hopefully they'll be able to get something set up quickly so seven-day-a-week service can stay on the SWC.

The perfect doesn't need to be made the enemy of the good, though. Just because some people will still try and go around a grade crossing and gates doesn't mean that there's no/little benefit in doing so. In fact, there's a lot of benefit in it - it makes it much clearer when it's generally safe...

Amtrak's own statement gives a different number - 1-800-523-9101. Not sure why CNN is giving the USA-RAIL number when that wasn't even mentioned in the press release.

The FTA doesn't regulate Amtrak. It's also, if not an explicit requirement of Amtrak, definitely something that's strongly advised. Why you'd want to get on a train without footwear is beyond me, but Amtrak does at least strongly recommend them (and may require them - I'm not sure if these are...

Confirmed that there are fatalities, no number given yet. :(

Live helicopter feed from KMBC in Kansas City https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=744498290224613

Multiple air ambulances en route.

Not looking good at all. :(

Many people are only "desperate" to own a vehicle because it's the only reasonable option to be able to participate fully in American society. Not having a car in basically every metro area means having significantly longer commutes, far fewer jobs accessible, long trips to run daily errands...