Railway Age reported that Amtrak activated its final segment   
   of ACSES (Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System), its version   
   of Positive Train Control (PTC), along the Northeast Corridor   
   on Dec. 18, 2015. ACSES is now fully functional on all   
   Amtrak-owned track between Washington, D.C., and Boston,   
   almost two weeks before the Congressionally imposed original   
   deadline of Dec. 31, which has since been extended by three years.   
      
   full article at:   
      
   http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/ptc/acses-fully-operational-   
   n-the-nec.html?channel=63   
      
      
   Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman informed the Amtrak Board   
   of Directors on Dec. 9, 2015 that he plans to retire from Amtrak   
   in September 2016, following nearly eight years of service with   
   the railroad.   
      
   http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/intercity/amtrak-p   
   esident-and-ceo-joe-boardman-announces-retirement.html?channel=41   
      
      
   Passengers may bring along their cat or dog in a carrier on   
   certain train.  (Not mentioned was the impact on other   
   passengers who might have an allergy to animals).   
   http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/intercity/amtrak-t   
   aining-cats-and-dogs-is-a-good-thing-says-peta.html?channel=41   
      
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