Amtrak, UP sign deal to improve scheduling for NorCal routes

Amtrak, UP sign deal to improve scheduling for NorCal routes Passenger railroad Amtrak and freight railroad Union Pacific have agreed to a deal aimed at improving service along the California Zephyr, Capitol Corridor and San Joaquins train lines in Northern California.
   The agreement would curb the time delays imposed on lines due to poor track conditions or repair and maintenance work. The agreement also provides a three-year window in which Union Pacific will improve tracks to prevent such conditions.
   The main component of the agreement is new scheduling coordination between passenger trains, freight trains, and maintenance work.
   Short term, however, the agreement will actually add three hours to the Zephyr route, which runs from Emeryville to Chicago, mainly due to temporary speed restrictions through Nevada and Utah. In the meantime, Omaha, Neb.-based UP will continue with repair work on the track and shorten the schedule as tracks are repaired and speed restrictions are removed.