Happy Holidays from Rail Travel News!
  December 24, 2001: It should be a happy holiday for Amtrak, and for Amtrak's users. Within the past few days, the following "gifts" have been given to the rail corporation and its users:

   * Amtrak's funding for the present fiscal year has been finalized by Congress and the President, giving the company $521 million, all of which can be immediately accessed.
   * Congress voted to absolve Amtrak of the need to set up a plan for its own liquidation.
   * Congress voted to give Amtrak $100 million to make safety modifications on its New York tunnels.
   * Florida Governor Jeb Bush, in an apparent change of heart, decided to provide $82.5 million to establish an Amtrak route on the Florida East Coast line and the South Florida Rail Corridor between Jacksonville and Miami. The project will involved laying 23 miles of new track and building eight new passenger stations. 

     In other positive news, the long-awaited Portland ME to Boston train, the Downeaster, began service to rave reviews.

     The High-Speed Rail Investment Act is not dead, either. When Congress returns in January, the legislation will be considered. NARP is calling upon rail advocates to continue lobbying for this important bill. 
  Here is Amtrak's calendar for 2002. The format is similar to that of 2001. Note that the year date appears as the locomotive number on the Acela train pictured.

  Issue 641 of Rail Travel News will soon be in the mail. The issue contains first-hand reports on the extension of the Kentucky Cardinal to Louisville, on the test train from Louisville to Nashville, on the first run of the extended Shore Line East service, and much more.

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