Travels with Kev

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, If you are new to this newsletter, welcome! I send it every Thursday morning. If you do not see it, check your spam folder. For those who have been around for a while, thank you for being here! Virginia Amtrak Service Changes Begin January 12 Effective January 12, 2026, Amtrak and the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority are adjusting service in Hampton Roads to support construction of the Long Bridge Project near Washington, D.C. What’s...

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, Happy New Year! If you missed the email last week, it was because I decided not to send it. I figured you had enough going on. But I am back. Amtrak's On-Time Performance Holds Steady Systemwide Amtrak's overall network held steady in November at 80.0% on-time performance, nearly identical to October's 80.1% and continuing to meet Amtrak's 80% standard. (For newcomers: Amtrak considers a train "on time" if it arrives within a set window of...

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, This week: more Gold Runner service and a booking tip that can save you money. The Gold Runner returns to seven daily trips. The Gold Runner resumed its seventh daily departure on December 8, restoring service that was paused during the pandemic. The extra trip runs between Modesto and Sacramento with more stops along the route. This expansion is part of the Valley Rail Project, which aims to improve rail connections between Sacramento and...

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, it is Kev again! Welcome back! This week, we discuss a successful service, a new post, and what I’ve been up to. Amtrak's Mardi Gras Service is Thriving Remember when Amtrak restored service along the Gulf Coast last August? The new Mardi Gras trains between New Orleans and Mobile are turning out to be a real success story. The data from the first 108 days tells the story: over 46,000 riders, averaging 420 people per day across the two...

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, it is Kev again! Welcome back! I hope you're having a great week! This week, I have a shopping guide and good news for those using the Lake Shore Limited! The Amtrak Traveler’s Gift Guide: Under $25 Shopping for an Amtrak traveler can be challenging, and if you're one yourself, you might not always know what to ask for. Train travel is different from other trips. Long hours sitting, unpredictable temperatures, limited outlets, and nights on...

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, it is Kev again! Welcome back and Happy Thanksgiving! If you're not in the US, I still hope you have a wonderful day. Today, we have one topic, and it's a positive one! Amtrak announces a record-breaking year! This past fiscal year, October 2024–September 2025, Amtrak reached new heights, all thanks to the growing love for train travel across the US and investments made in the Amtrak system over the past few years. What Those Amtrak Numbers...

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, it is Kev again! Welcome back! Amtrak Holiday Travel Time is Starting! For my U.S. readers, next week is Thanksgiving—and we're entering the holiday travel season. Sometimes we get caught up in this busy travel period, even during our usual trips like weekend getaways, even if we're not participating in holiday events. These tips are solid and can be applied to off-peak travel, too. If you're an experienced Amtrak traveler, you probably...

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, it is Kev again! Welcome back! Do you hit the slopes? Why not fly into Denver and take the train to Winter Park? Winter Park Express is Back—And Tickets Starting at $9! The 2025-26 Winter Park Express season kicks off December 19, and this year brings some of the best news yet for budget-conscious skiers and snowboarders. Fares Just Got Even Better Thanks to the Colorado Department of Transportation's ongoing partnership with Amtrak, ticket...

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, it is Kev again! Welcome back! I'm a week late on a topic, but now you'll know for next time. There's also a new article and an update on the Gold Runner. A new article is now available! Amtrak and Daylight Saving Time I know, I know—daylight saving time (DST) ended last Sunday (November 3), and here I am talking about it on November 6. But now you’ll be prepared for next year and the years ahead. Why This Matters to You If you’re traveling...

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, it is Kev again! Welcome back! This is a lengthy message, but it contains good news for train travelers! Improved performance, bonus Amtrak points, and a Roomette companion sale. New Midwest Train Route Could Reconnect the USA Heartland by Rail The possibility of a new Amtrak rail line across the Midwest advanced this fall as regional leaders secured funding to continue planning the “Midwest Connect” project — a proposed passenger route...