Northeast Regional

Amtrak northeastern U.S. intercity rail service From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Northeast Regional

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 9,163,082 passengers in fiscal year (FY) 2023.[5] The Northeast Regional service received more than $787.7 million in gross ticket revenue in FY 2023.[6]

Quick Facts Overview, Service type ...
Northeast Regional
Northeast Regional in Madison, Connecticut, in April 2015
Overview
Service typeInter-city rail, higher-speed rail
LocaleNortheastern and Mid-Atlantic United States
First service2008 (renamed from Regional)
Current operator(s)Amtrak
Annual ridership10,814,407 (FY 24)  18.0%[a][1]
Route
TerminiBoston, Springfield, MA, or New York City
Washington, D.C. or Newport News, Norfolk, Roanoke, or Richmond, Virginia
Stops55 (including all branches)
Distance travelled682 mi (1,098 km) (longest distance: Boston–Roanoke)
Average journey time14 hours (greatest travel time: Boston–Roanoke)
Service frequency50+ trains per day[2][3][4]
Train number(s)65-198
On-board services
Class(es)
  • Coach Class
  • Business Class
Catering facilitiesCafé
Baggage facilitiesOverhead racks
Technical
Rolling stock
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
ElectrificationOverhead line:
Operating speed125 mph (201 km/h) (top)
Close

The Northeast Regional offers daily all-reserved service, usually at least every hour. Trains generally run along the Northeast Corridor between Boston in the north to Washington, D.C., in the south with multiple stops, including in New York City, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. 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 New York Penn Station and Washington Union Station in about 3.5 hours.[7] The section between New York and Philadelphia takes 1.5 hours, while the part between Philadelphia and Washington takes two hours.[4] North of New York, the travel time to Boston is four 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 five hours to reach Roanoke.[2]

History

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Perspective
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An HHP-8 locomotive and Amfleet I cars in Acela Regional branding at South Station in Boston, in March 2002
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The NortheastDirect branding was used for most Northeast Regional services between 1995 and 2003.

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] The overnight trains were temporarily cancelled in January 2022; they resumed in July 2022 without sleepers.[18][19] They were temporarily cancelled north of New York City effective April 4, 2023, due to Penn Station Access construction.[20]

Virginia service

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A Northeast Regional crossing the James River near Lynchburg, Virginia, in April 2011

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.

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.[21]

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.[22] Service was extended from Lynchburg to Roanoke starting October 31, 2017.[23] A second daily Roanoke round trip was added on July 11, 2022.[19] An extension from Roanoke to Christiansburg, Virginia, near Virginia Tech, is in planning,[24] as is an infill station in Bedford, Virginia.[25]

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.[26] One round trip was extended from Richmond to Norfolk starting December 12, 2012.[27] A second daily Norfolk round trip on weekdays was added on March 4, 2019.[28] One round trip was extended from Staples Mill to Main Street in September 2021.[29] Service changes on July 11, 2022, added an additional Norfolk weekday round trip (making three round trips on weekdays and two on weekends).[19]

Proposed expansion

In spring 2021, Amtrak proposed extending three Northeast Regional round trips from New York Penn Station to Ronkonkoma station along the Main Line of the Long Island Rail Road, with stops at Jamaica, Mineola, Hicksville, and Deer Park. The move would enable one-seat rides between Long Island and points south on the Northeast Corridor, provide express train service within Long Island, and connect JFK International Airport to the Amtrak network.[30] In December 2023, the Federal Railroad Administration accepted the project into its Corridor Identification and Development Program, granting $500,000 toward service planning and prioritizing the route for future federal funding.[31][32]

In January 2025, Suffolk County Executive Edward Romaine, along with Amtrak officials, officially announced the proposed extension. It was reported that work was expected to begin in 2026, and that Amtrak service was anticipated to commence in 2028, at the earliest. Trains would operate using diesel on Long Island. Required infrastructure upgrades for the service would likely include an additional platform and track at Ronkonkoma. Romaine said that Amtrak wanted the extension, in part, due to Ronkonkoma's location next to Long Island MacArthur Airport.[33]

Operation

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Perspective

Equipment

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A typical Northeast Regional with an ACS-64 locomotive and Amfleet I passenger cars at New London Union Station in New London, Connecticut

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.

Between Boston and Washington, the service has overhead electric wires and is pulled by Siemens ACS-64 electric locomotives 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 diesel locomotives which have a slightly lower top speed of 110 mph (180 km/h).

In the coming years all equipment will be replaced with Amtrak Airo trainsets, the railroad's branding of its combination of Siemens Venture passenger cars and a Siemens Charger diesel-electric locomotive.[35] The trainsets for the Northeast Corridor will have eight passenger cars, which will include a food service area and a mix of 2×2 Coach Class and 2×1 Business Class seating.[36] The car closest to the locomotive will be a specialized "Auxiliary Power Vehicle" which will include a pantograph to collect power from overhead lines and will feed it to four traction motors in the car, and via a DC link cable, to the four traction motors in the locomotive.[37] Outside of electrified territory, the locomotive's diesel engine will generate power for the traction motors. The arrangement will offer a near-seamless transition between power sources on through trains to Virginia and Springfield, Massachusetts, a process that currently requires a time-consuming locomotive change.

Classes of service

All classes of service include complimentary WiFi, an electric outlet (120 V, 60 Hz AC) at each seat, reading lamps, and fold-out tray tables. Reservations are required on all trains; tickets may be purchased online, over the phone, from a station agent, or via ticketing machine.[38]

  • Coach Class: 2×2 seating. Passengers self-select seats on a first-come, first-served basis.[39]
  • Business Class: 2×2 or 2×1 seating with more legroom than coach. Passengers receive a complimentary soft drink. Seats are assigned in advance.[40]

Route

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Northeast Regional route map

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).[41]

Some trips diverge at New Haven and turn north to serve Springfield, Massachusetts, operating over Amtrak's New Haven–Springfield Line. Additional service on that line is provided by Amtrak's Hartford Line trains, which have 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 (ex-Chesapeake and Ohio Railway). 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.

More information State, Town/City ...
State Town/City Station Connections
MABostonSouth StationAmtrak Amtrak: Acela, Lake Shore Limited
MBTA Commuter Rail MBTA Commuter Rail: Fairmount Line, Framingham/Worcester Line, Franklin/Foxboro Line, Needham Line, Old Colony Lines, Greenbush Line, Providence/Stoughton Line
MBTA subway:  Red Line   Silver Line 
MBTA Bus
Bus interchange Intercity bus service at South Station Bus Terminal
Back BayAmtrak Amtrak: Acela, Lake Shore Limited
MBTA Commuter Rail MBTA Commuter Rail: Framingham/Worcester Line, Franklin/Foxboro Line, Needham Line, Providence/Stoughton Line
MBTA subway:  Orange Line 
MBTA Bus
WestwoodRoute 128Amtrak Amtrak: Acela
MBTA Commuter Rail MBTA Commuter Rail: Providence/Stoughton Line
RIProvidenceProvidenceAmtrak Amtrak: Acela
MBTA Commuter Rail MBTA Commuter Rail: Providence/Stoughton Line
Bus interchange Local bus: Rhode Island Public Transit Authority
Bus interchange Amtrak Thruway
West KingstonKingstonBus interchange Local bus: Rhode Island Public Transit Authority
WesterlyWesterlyBus interchange Local bus: Rhode Island Public Transit Authority
CTMysticMysticBus interchange Local bus: Southeast Area Transit
New LondonNew LondonShore Line East CTrail: Shore Line East
Bus interchange Local bus: Southeast Area Transit
Bus interchange Intercity bus: Greyhound Lines Greyhound
Old SaybrookOld SaybrookShore Line East CTrail: Shore Line East
Bus interchange Local bus: Estuary Transit District
New HavenUnion StationAmtrak Amtrak: Acela, Hartford Line, Vermonter
Hartford Line CTrail: Hartford Line, Shore Line East
Metro-North:  New Haven Line
Bus interchange Local bus: CTtransit New Haven
Bus interchange Intercity bus: Greyhound Lines Greyhound, Peter Pan
BridgeportBridgeportAmtrak Amtrak: Vermonter
Metro-North:  New Haven Line,  Waterbury Branch
Bus interchange Local bus: Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority
StamfordStamfordAmtrak Amtrak: Acela, Vermonter
Metro-North:  New Haven Line,  New Canaan Branch,  Danbury Branch
Bus interchange Local bus: CTtransit Stamford
Bus interchange Intercity bus: Greyhound Lines Greyhound
NYNew RochelleNew Rochelle Metro-North:  New Haven Line
Bus interchange Local bus: Bee-Line
New York CityNew York Penn StationAmtrak Amtrak (long-distance): Cardinal, Crescent, Lake Shore Limited, Palmetto, Silver Meteor
Amtrak Amtrak (intercity): Acela, Adirondack, Berkshire Flyer, Carolinian, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express, Keystone Service, Maple Leaf, Pennsylvanian, Vermonter
Long Island Rail Road:  Main Line,  Port Washington Branch
NJ Transit NJ Transit:  North Jersey Coast Line,  Northeast Corridor Line,  Gladstone Branch,  Montclair-Boonton Line,  Morristown Line
NYC Subway: "1" train"2" train"3" train"A" train"C" train"E" train
Port Authority Trans-Hudson PATH: HOB-33 JSQ-33 JSQ-33 (via HOB)
Bus interchange Local bus: MTA Bus
NJNewarkNewark Penn StationAmtrak Amtrak: Acela, Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Keystone Service, Palmetto, Pennsylvanian, Silver Meteor, Vermonter
Newark Light Rail Newark Light Rail
NJ Transit NJ Transit:  North Jersey Coast Line,  Northeast Corridor Line,  Raritan Valley Line
Port Authority Trans-Hudson PATH: NWK-WTC
Bus interchange Local bus: NJ Transit Bus
Bus interchange Intercity bus: Greyhound Lines Greyhound, Coach USA, Fullington Trailways
Newark Airport Newark Liberty International Airport AirTrain Newark to Newark Liberty International Airport
Amtrak Amtrak: Keystone Service
NJ Transit NJ Transit:  North Jersey Coast Line,  Northeast Corridor Line
IselinMetroparkAmtrak Amtrak: Acela, Crescent, Keystone Service, Palmetto, Vermonter
NJ Transit NJ Transit:  Northeast Corridor Line
Bus interchange Local bus: NJ Transit Bus
New BrunswickNew BrunswickAmtrak Amtrak: Keystone Service
NJ Transit NJ Transit:  Northeast Corridor Line
Bus interchange Local bus: NJ Transit Bus
Bus interchange Intercity bus: Suburban Transit
West WindsorPrinceton JunctionAmtrak Amtrak: Keystone Service
NJ Transit NJ Transit:  Northeast Corridor Line,  Princeton Branch
Bus interchange Local bus: NJ Transit Bus
TrentonTrentonAmtrak Amtrak: Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Keystone Service, Palmetto, Pennsylvanian, Silver Meteor, Vermonter
NJ Transit NJ Transit:  Northeast Corridor Line,  River Line
SEPTA Regional Rail:  Trenton Line
Bus interchange Local bus: SEPTA Suburban Bus, NJ Transit Bus
PAPhiladelphia30th Street StationAmtrak Amtrak: Acela, Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Keystone Service, Palmetto, Pennsylvanian, Silver Meteor, Vermonter
SEPTA Regional Rail: all lines
NJ Transit NJ Transit:  Atlantic City Line
SEPTA Metro: Market–Frankford Line, Subway–Surface Trolleys
Bus interchange Local bus: SEPTA City Bus, SEPTA Suburban Bus, NJ Transit Bus
Bus interchange Intercity bus: Megabus (North America) Megabus, Martz Trailways
DEWilmingtonWilmingtonAmtrak Amtrak: Acela, Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Palmetto, Silver Meteor, Vermonter
SEPTA Regional Rail:  Wilmington/Newark Line
Bus interchange Local bus: DART First State
Bus interchange Intercity bus: Greyhound Lines Greyhound
NewarkNewark SEPTA Regional Rail:  Wilmington/Newark Line
Bus interchange Local bus: Cecil Transit, DART First State, UNICITY
Bus interchange Intercity bus: FlixBus
MDAberdeenAberdeen MARC:  Penn Line
Bus interchange Local bus: Harford Transit
Bus interchange Intercity bus: Greyhound Lines Greyhound
BaltimorePenn StationAmtrak Amtrak: Acela, Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Palmetto, Silver Meteor, Vermonter
MARC:  Penn Line
Light RailLink
Bus interchange Local bus: MTA Maryland, Charm City Circulator
HanoverBWI Airport Baltimore/Washington International AirportAmtrak Amtrak: Acela, Crescent, Vermonter
MARC:  Penn Line
Bus interchange Shuttle to Baltimore/Washington International Airport Baltimore/Washington International Airport
Bus interchange Local bus: MTA Maryland, UMBC Transit
New CarrolltonNew CarrolltonAmtrak Amtrak: Vermonter
MARC:  Penn Line
Metro: Orange Line
Bus interchange Local bus: Metrobus, TheBus, MTA Maryland
Bus interchange Intercity bus: Greyhound Lines Greyhound
Washington, D.C.WashingtonWashington
Union Station
Amtrak Amtrak: Acela, Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Floridian, Palmetto, Silver Meteor, Vermonter, Amtrak Thruway
MARC:  Brunswick Line,  Camden Line,  Penn Line
Virginia Railway Express Virginia Railway Express:  Manassas Line,  Fredericksburg Line
Metro: Red Line
DC Streetcar: H Street/Benning Road Line
Bus interchange Local bus: Metrobus, DC Circulator, MTA Maryland, Loudoun County Transit, PRTC Buses
Bus interchange Intercity bus: Greyhound Lines Greyhound, Megabus (North America) Megabus, BestBus, Peter Pan, OurBus
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Springfield–New Haven

More information State, Town/City ...
State Town/City Station Connections
MASpringfieldSpringfieldAmtrak Amtrak: Lake Shore Limited, Hartford Line, Vermonter, Valley Flyer
Hartford Line CTrail: Hartford Line
Bus interchange Local bus: Pioneer Valley Transit Authority
Bus interchange Intercity bus: Greyhound Lines Greyhound, Peter Pan
CTWindsor LocksWindsor LocksAmtrak Amtrak: Hartford Line, Vermonter, Valley Flyer
Hartford Line CTrail: Hartford Line
Bus interchange Local bus: CTtransit
WindsorWindsorAmtrak Amtrak: Hartford Line, Valley Flyer
Hartford Line CTrail: Hartford Line
Bus interchange Local bus: CTtransit
HartfordHartfordAmtrak Amtrak: Hartford Line, Vermonter, Valley Flyer
Hartford Line CTrail: Hartford Line
Bus interchange Local bus: CTtransit Hartford
Bus rapid transit BRT: CTfastrak CTfastrak
Bus interchange Intercity bus: Greyhound Lines Greyhound, Peter Pan
KensingtonBerlinAmtrak Amtrak: Hartford Line, Valley Flyer
Hartford Line CTrail: Hartford Line
Bus interchange Local bus: CTtransit New Britain
MeridenMeridenAmtrak Amtrak: Hartford Line, Vermonter, Valley Flyer
Hartford Line CTrail: Hartford Line
Bus interchange Local bus: CTtransit Meriden
WallingfordWallingfordAmtrak Amtrak: Hartford Line, Valley Flyer
Hartford Line CTrail: Hartford Line
Bus interchange Local bus: CTtransit Wallingford
New HavenState StreetAmtrak Amtrak: Hartford Line, Valley Flyer
Hartford Line CTrail: Hartford Line, Shore Line East
Metro-North:  New Haven Line
Bus interchange Local bus: CTtransit New Haven
To New Haven Union Station
Close

Washington, D.C.–Newport News / Norfolk

More information State, Town/City ...
State Town/City Station Connections
DC From Washington Union Station
VAAlexandriaAlexandriaAmtrak Amtrak: Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Crescent, Floridian, Silver Meteor, Silver Star
Virginia Railway Express VRE:  Fredericksburg Line,  Manassas Line
Metro:  Blue Line,  Yellow Line
Bus interchange Local bus: Metrobus, DASH
WoodbridgeWoodbridgeVirginia Railway Express VRE:  Fredericksburg Line
Bus interchange Local bus: OmniRide
QuanticoQuanticoAmtrak Amtrak: Carolinian
Virginia Railway Express VRE:  Fredericksburg Line
Bus interchange Local bus: OmniRide
FredericksburgFredericksburgAmtrak Amtrak: Carolinian, Silver Meteor
Virginia Railway Express VRE:  Fredericksburg Line
Bus interchange Local bus: FRED
AshlandAshland
RichmondRichmond Staples Mill RoadAmtrak Amtrak: Carolinian, Floridian, Palmetto, Silver Meteor, Thruway Motorcoach
Bus interchange Local bus: Greater Richmond Transit Company
Service to Newport News, Virginia
RichmondRichmond–Main StreetBus interchange Local bus: Greater Richmond Transit Company
WilliamsburgWilliamsburgBus interchange Local bus: Hampton Roads Transit, Williamsburg Area Transit Authority
Newport NewsNewport News Transportation CenterAmtrak Amtrak: Thruway Motorcoach
Bus interchange Local bus: Hampton Roads Transit
Service to Norfolk, Virginia
EttrickPetersburgAmtrak Amtrak: Carolinian, Floridian, Palmetto, Silver Meteor
NorfolkNorfolkLight rail interchange Tide Light Rail
Amtrak Amtrak Thruway
Close

Washington, D.C.–Roanoke

More information State, Town/City ...
State Town/City Station Connections
VirginiaFrom Alexandria Union Station
BurkeBurke CentreVirginia Railway Express VRE:  Manassas Line
Bus interchange Local bus: Metrobus, Fairfax Connector
ManassasManassasAmtrak Amtrak: Cardinal, Crescent
Virginia Railway Express VRE:  Manassas Line
Bus interchange Local bus: OmniRide
CulpeperCulpeperAmtrak Amtrak: Cardinal, Crescent
CharlottesvilleCharlottesvilleAmtrak Amtrak: Cardinal, Crescent, Amtrak Thruway
Bus interchange Local bus: Charlottesville Area Transit
LynchburgLynchburgAmtrak Amtrak: Crescent
Bus interchange Local bus: Greater Lynchburg Transit Company
RoanokeRoanokeBus interchange Local bus: Valley Metro, SmartWay
Amtrak Amtrak Thruway
Close

References

Notes

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