Amtrak Special for the Inauguration (1/19/2021)

[Seaboard92]

It looks like President Elect Joe Biden is keeping with his personal tradition and taking Amtrak to work in the Nation's Capital. So I guess we should all be looking for his special on 1/19/2021 between Wilmington, DE and Washington, DC. I'll be there to document another Presidential Train for the history books as I was for the funeral train of President H.W. Bush, the Biden Campaign train out of Cleveland, and any other campaign trains that run in my lifetime.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/08/politics/biden-train-inauguration/index.html

 

[dlagrua]

Yes Biden was a loyal Amtrak rider and it is hoped that the new administration will bring about a positive change in Amtrak but I am not so sure. We have seen a number of changes in the House, Senate and Presidency in the last 25 years and there has been little change in Amtrak. Can anyone explain how and why its going to get better? IMO, we can start by replacing the Amtrak board.

 

[MARC Rider]

We have seen a number of changes in the House, Senate and Presidency in the last 25 years and there has been little change in Amtrak.

Actually, that's not entirely true. Compared to 1971, there are more corridor services with more frequent trains and faster schedules. This is especially true for the NEC where the 65-70 mph point to point average speed of the Northeast Regional Actually makes taking the train between New York and Washington faster than driving. However, there are numerous other places across the country where there's relatively frequent short haul passenger rail service as a transportation alternative.

They have also increased long distance trains, at least compared to May 1, 1971, even though some of the added trains later bit the dust. They also did modernize the equipment. Sure, that was 40 years ago, and now it's time to modernize it again, but they did replace the Heritage fleet.

And even the current mess with degraded food service has its precedent, and there's hope that improved quality food may return. I once rode the Crescent in 1990 and had obviously microwaved fish (no Airplane! jokes, please!) served to me on Styrofoam plates with plastic cutlery. By the end of that decade, they had reverted to serving real food in the dining cars.

In 1971, it looked like intercity passenger rail travel was about to go the way of the horse and buggy. That hasn't happened, thanks to Amtrak, for all its shortcomings.

 

[joelkfla]

President-elect Biden may be forced to reconsider given all the heightened threats of violence.

 

[tgstubbs1]

Yeah, I agree. It might be better to take a Presidential train after things cool down a bit.

 

[daybeers]

President-elect Biden may be forced to reconsider given all the heightened threats of violence.

Threats towards any President have always been and will forever be an issue. Federal intelligence has been following these groups and their threats for decades now. Biden has never been the type to be fearful of the events that took place on the 6th, or at least not enough to make him change his plans. He doesn't give in like that. There's no reason why the Secret Service can't protect him.

I believe this will most likely be a one-time thing for the Inauguration and he will use his plane & helicopter from then on. It's just too much of a hassle and disrupts too many people.

 

[cirdan]

Actually, that's not entirely true. Compared to 1971, there are more corridor services with more frequent trains and faster schedules. This is especially true for the NEC where the 65-70 mph point to point average speed of the Northeast Regional Actually makes taking the train between New York and Washington faster than driving. However, there are numerous other places across the country where there's relatively frequent short haul passenger rail service as a transportation alternative.

They have also increased long distance trains, at least compared to May 1, 1971, even though some of the added trains later bit the dust. They also did modernize the equipment. Sure, that was 40 years ago, and now it's time to modernize it again, but they did replace the Heritage fleet.

And even the current mess with degraded food service has its precedent, and there's hope that improved quality food may return. I once rode the Crescent in 1990 and had obviously microwaved fish (no Airplane! jokes, please!) served to me on Styrofoam plates with plastic cutlery. By the end of that decade, they had reverted to serving real food in the dining cars.

In 1971, it looked like intercity passenger rail travel was about to go the way of the horse and buggy. That hasn't happened, thanks to Amtrak, for all its shortcomings.

All true.

But I wonder how much of any of that was attributable to the incumbent of the White House, whether directly or indirectly, or more due to dealings in Congress plus smartness (or lack thereof) within Amtrak itself.

That said, even if the new president does get more involved in Amtrak. We know he understands the value of the NEC. But is there any evidence that he understands the (somewhat different) value of the rest of the system?

 

[Seaboard92]

It looks like the lead locomotive will be P42DC No. 46 that was just out shopped from Beech Grove. It is currently wearing the Amtrak Celebrating 50 Years Connecting America livery. Also the Chapel Hill PV left Miami, FL yesterday to return north. Usually it spends the entire winter in Miami and the rest of the year in Albany. So if it shows up in Albany it isn't being used. If it doesn't venture north of DC I would assume it's involved.

 

[20th Century Rider]

Biden's 'Build Back Better' theme has to be considered a positive for rail travel in America... and the inaugural train is a testament to some kind of commitment and priority for Amtrak development. [Note: this is not a political statement but a discussion of President Elect Biden's priority for the American Passenger Rail System.]

 

[Bob Dylan]

It looks like the lead locomotive will be P42DC No. 46 that was just out shopped from Beech Grove. It is currently wearing the Amtrak Celebrating 50 Years Connecting America livery. Also the Chapel Hill PV left Miami, FL yesterday to return north. Usually it spends the entire winter in Miami and the rest of the year in Albany. So if it shows up in Albany it isn't being used. If it doesn't venture north of DC I would assume it's involved.

I haven't seen just where VP- Elect Harris will board, probably @ Wilmington.

When President Obama rode a special from Philly to DC in 2009, he picked up VP-elect Biden and his favorite Amtrak Conductor in Wilmington @ the Station now named for "Amtrak Joe."

I would think the Food and Drink will be of a Higher Quality than what is currently served on Amtrak Trains!

 

[Devil's Advocate]

If an Amtrak Special is attacked or derailed on the way to the inauguration does it go from a positive to a negative? Maybe we should avoid testing fate until we've managed to quash the insurrection and establish some lasting security.

 

[20th Century Rider]

I haven't seen just where VP- Elect Harris will board, probably @ Wilmington.

When President Obama rode a special from Philly to DC in 2009, he picked up VP-elect Biden and his favorite Amtrak Conductor in Wilmington @ the Station now named for "Amtrak Joe."

I would think the Food and Drink will be of a Higher Quality than what is currently served on Amtrak Trains!

And he's not being deterred by unrest in the capitol... wishing Amtrak Joe a great ride! ☺


https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/08/politics/biden-train-inauguration/index.html

 

[Dakota 400]

I haven't seen just where VP- Elect Harris will board, probably @ Wilmington.

That would make the most sense for her husband and she to do so.

I would think the Food and Drink will be of a Higher Quality than what is currently served on Amtrak Trains!

One would expect so. I wonder what the President-Elect's preferred beverage is as well as what Vice-President Harris prefers. (Maybe a quality California wine for the Vice-President-Elect?)

 

[20th Century Rider]

That would make the most sense for her husband and she to do so.



One would expect so. I wonder what the President-Elect's preferred beverage is as well as what Vice-President Harris prefers. (Maybe a quality California wine for the Vice-President-Elect?)

Here are some details of the inauguration...

https://dcist.com/story/21/01/12/joe-biden-inaguruation-schedule-plans-dc/

 

[Bob Dylan]

That would make the most sense for her husband and she to do so.



One would expect so. I wonder what the President-Elect's preferred beverage is as well as what Vice-President Harris prefers. (Maybe a quality California wine for the Vice-President-Elect?)

I dont think the President-elect is much of a drinker, he did have a few Beers with President Obama and guests @ the White House.

I'm sure well learn lots about the Bidens and Harris' Family preferences and tastes soon!

 

[20th Century Rider]

I dont think the President-elect is much of a drinker, he did have a few Beers with President Obama and guests @ the White House.

I'm sure well learn lots about the Bidens and Harris' Family preferences and tastes soon!

Perhaps... er... most likely they'll have the Obamas over to the White House for pretzels and beer... many times!

 

[Bob Dylan]

Perhaps... er... most likely they'll have the Obamas over to the White House for pretzels and beer... many times!

Haven't heard if the Obama's will ride the Inagural Special to DC???

 

[20th Century Rider]

Haven't heard if the Obama's will ride the Inagural Special to DC???

Apparently there's keeping it under wraps for security.

BTW Bob ... that's quite a metro system you got there in Austin. I'm jealous; but, LOL... this is only a small coastal town out here. When you do get out here to Oregon lets get together over beer and pretzels just like the Obamas and the Bidens... I'm buying!!!

 

[Bob Dylan]

Apparently there's keeping it under wraps for security.

BTW Bob ... that's quite a metro system you got there in Austin. I'm jealous; but, LOL... this is only a small coastal town out here. When you do get out here to Oregon lets get together over beer and pretzels just like the Obamas and the Bidens... I'm buying!!!
View attachment 20265

View attachment 20267

I accept!

And we currently only have 1 Light Rail Line, the RedLine!That's the Planning Map for the $1 Billion ( I'm sure itll be Much More before Build out!)Cap Metro Proposition we finally approved after years of Voting it down!

I love Oregon, lived in Portland for a year when it was still " Cool"!

 

[tgstubbs1]

I read on the internet that the Presidential pooch will be attending his own "Indoguration" (sic).
Which coach will he be riding in?

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

Biden will not be taking Amtrak for the inauguration due to the security risk.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cn...biden-amtrak-inauguration-security/index.html

 

[Bob Dylan]

Sad, but the prudent thing to do with all the Kooks and Evil Scum running Wild all over the Country!

In another change for Security Reasons, the President- Elect has accepted the State Departments Invitation to spend the night on Jan 19th @ Blair House (located across from the White House) instead of in a Hotel as was planned.

President-Elect Biden and Mrs Biden will not be doing the traditional Innaugaral Day visit to the White House,notr riding with the outgoing President to the Capitol since President Trump did not invite them and will not be attending the Innagural.

Perhaps once things return to more regular life President Biden can ride Trains again!

 

[Agent]

Video taken today by YouTube user Nicholas Smith shows AMTK 46 with new 50th anniversary decals departing Thurmond, West Virginia on Amtrak #50.



Another video by William Watson shows the train departing Manassas, Virginia.

 

[20th Century Rider]

Very crushing and disappointing to see these changes, but... safety first, now an issue. On the trip I just cancelled with Amtrak I was on the Cardinal with an overnight in WAS on the eve of the inauguration and I'm assuming I would have needed to make changes. Oh, I'm just so glad to be home and safe and out of all the stuff that's going on right now. Best wishes to all to stay home, stay safe, and count your blessings that you have a roof over your head and a secure place to be.

 

[Seaboard92]

Very crushing and disappointing to see these changes, but... safety first, now an issue. On the trip I just cancelled with Amtrak I was on the Cardinal with an overnight in WAS on the eve of the inauguration and I'm assuming I would have needed to make changes. Oh, I'm just so glad to be home and safe and out of all the stuff that's going on right now. Best wishes to all to stay home, stay safe, and count your blessings that you have a roof over your head and a secure place to be.

You just missed me then. I have to go to Indy to work in the Grove so I was going to be doing the same thing on the way to the Cardinal. I'm modifying now to same day connect in Baltimore so I can avoid DC