Latest Proposals

AmeriStarRail Proposes New Bi-Level Bridge to Increase Amtrak Speeds up to 200 mph

In the shadows of Amtrak’s current bridge over the Susquehanna River, Perryville Mayor Matt Roath publicly announced AmeriStarRail’s proposed bi-level bridge solution. The proposal was sent, in the attached letter, to Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Members of Congress and officials at Maryland DOT and Amtrak. Read the full Proposal.

Northeast Corridor Safety and Security can be Improved with a “Doctor” Train and Trackside Security Fences

In a Statement submitted for the record of a House Subcommittee on Railroads’ Amtrak hearing, AmeriStarRail proposed a privately financed high-speed track inspection trainset to provide daily evaluation and monitoring of Amtrak’s high-speed tracks and overhead catenary wires between Boston and Washington at speeds up to 160 mph. Known as “doctor” trains in Europe and Asia, these world-class inspection trains conduct measurements, at full speed, of track conditions and defects to help maintain the precise track and catenary specifications required for safe and smooth train operations at high speeds. Read the full proposal.

Replace Amtrak’s Aging Amfleet Cars for safety first

On December 15, 2022, Amtrak President Roger Harris announced that the new Amtrak Airo trainsets, being built by Siemens with funding through the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), will first replace trains in 2026 on their Cascade route in the Pacific Northwest. If Amtrak follows this plan, the Amfleet cars on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) will not be replaced until years after they pass their half-century mark of service… Although these cars, built in the 1970s, meet grandfathered FRA safety requirements, they do not have the structural materials, safety features, technology and crash energy management systems found in the current Acela fleet or the next generation Alstom built Acela fleet. Read the full proposal.

Wilmington Trolley CityLink

Wilmington is the largest city between New York and Washington without a rail transit line connecting city destinations with the Amtrak train station. The Wilmington Trolley CityLink (WTC) will provide Wilmington residents, workers and visitors with a car-free, zero-emission rail transit link connecting Downtown Wilmington offices, residences, hotels, theaters, shops and restaurants with the attractions and residences on the Riverfront via the Amtrak/SEPTA train station. Fast, Frequent, Free trolley transit service will generate economic growth by attracting more businesses, residents and visitors to Wilmington. Read the full proposal.

Baltimore Grand Slam

Our proposal will create a winning solution for Baltimore’s future with four high capacity, high-speed railroad tunnels for passenger trains replacing Amtrak’s Penn Station and its 19th Century tunnel infrastructure with the Baltimore Crosstown Rail (BCR) Tunnel, a new four-track, intercity, commuter rail and metro tunnel through the heart of Baltimore, built for 125+ mph high-speed rail operation with a new central station — the Frederick Douglass Freedom Station — sited within walking distance of Charles Center and other businesses, sports and tourist venues, and the Baltimore Convention Center as well as transit connections with the Metro, Light Rail, MARC’s Camden Line and the Baltimore Water Taxi. Read the full proposal.

High Speed Rail for Everyone

Our solution for Transportation Equity on the Northeast Corridor would save taxpayer dollars by providing over $5 billion in private financing for a new standardized fleet of 160 MPH trainsets with triple-class seating for passengers in Coach, Business and First Class on every train, enabling Amtrak to offer high-frequency, high capacity, high-speed service to all passengers. Read the AmeriStarRail Amtrak Transportation Equity Letters

AmeriStarRail’s New AirTrain LaGuardia Solution

Improving Northeast Corridor connections to airports in the Northeast is an important strategy to growing Amtrak ridership. In conjunction with James Corner Field Operations, landscape architects and urban designers with headquarters in Manhattan and Foit-Albert Associates, an engineering firm with an office in Queens, we are pleased to propose an innovative solution to extend rail service to LaGuardia Airport and dramatically increase the number of transit trips to LGA and JFK for airport workers and air passengers from Manhattan and the New York region. Read the full proposal.