Travels with Kev

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, This is the best time to plan upcoming Amtrak adventures, especially for this summer! The USA has a few major events coming up, and many people are already planning to take the train. For many, it could be their first Amtrak trip. Subject: Book Summer 2026 Travel Now (Amtrak Isn’t Kidding) Amtrak just issued a press release worth paying attention to: they're expecting summer 2026 to be their busiest in 55 years and are urging people to book...

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, Today, I am not covering Amtrak travel per se, but instead discussing the gear I use for Amtrak and other travel. Plus, learn about a new direction for Travels with Kev, and no, I am not covering flying. What Does Kev Use? After 800+ trips on Amtrak, I've figured out what actually earns space in my luggage. I have to say, it took me a while to figure this out, and both my packing and gear are a perpetual work in progress. Everyone's needs...

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, I hope you're staying warm! If you're staring out at snow and ice, this is your reminder that Amtrak's booking window opens 11 months in advance—so you can already reserve summer and fall travel or at least start your research. Annual Crescent Trackwork: What You Need to Know for Winter 2026 If you’re planning to ride the Crescent between Atlanta and New Orleans anytime soon, here’s a heads-up: Norfolk Southern’s annual trackwork is in full...

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, This week, only one topic: the new Airo trainsets and an overview of my last Amtrak trip. Amtrak’s Airo Trainsets: What You Need to Know Amtrak's new Airo trainsets begin rolling out in 2026, starting with Cascades service. These new Airo trainsets will gradually replace aging equipment on most of the system’s corridor routes. The first trainsets will be deployed on Amtrak Cascades in the Pacific Northwest. The Airo Basics Amtrak ordered 83...

The Travels with Kev Weekly Newsletter Hello Reader, This is a long one, but it includes a lot of Amtrak travel information. Changes to Amtrak's Flex Dining While preparing for this trip, I checked out and printed the current flex dining menu and noticed a few changes. I like to carry one with me, knowing that things can change. Amtrak now offers different lunch options than it did in the fall when I took the Cardinal. Another change I saw was that all the menus are the same. There was a...

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...