CHARLESTON, W.Va. — U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., is asking Amtrak to re-examine its policies due to the negative effects on the Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society.
The organization operates the New River Train between Huntington and Hinton. The train route is also at the center of the annual Railroad Days Festival in October.
The train also runs select routes to New York City and Washington, D.C.
In a letter to Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson, Manchin said he is concerned the policies will create “financial hardships” for the railroad society. The senator said in a letter the cost to operate the train has increased by $120,000 and other additions have increased costs.
“Despite its enormous popularity and increased seat prices for the two October Railroad Days weekends, the train still operated at a $180,000 loss,” Manchin said. “To make matters worse, Collis P. Huntington’s regular trips to Washington and New York – which help offset the costs of running the New River Train – had to be canceled since they could no longer originate or end in Huntington, WV.”
Manchin added the railroad society, a private operator, cannot handle the additional costs without taking on hefty financial losses.
“It is my hope this language improves Amtrak’s transparency and communication with small operators that rely on its services, but I fear that it may be too late for Collis P. Huntington,” he wrote. “It is important to remember that Amtrak’s policies do not simply impact the bottom line of the organization, but countless other businesses and communities along its tracks.”
Manchin previously wrote in Amtrak in April 2018 about the decision to stop accepting private and charter trains.