(Source: Times-News)
By Robert Boyer, Times-News, Burlington, N.C.
Feb. 17--Those planning to take a train trip to or from Burlington, or a number of other North Carolina stations in March or April, take note.
Service on the Piedmont and the Carolinian trains has been canceled for March 2, 9, 16, 29 and 30, and for April 6 and 20. Piedmont trains 73 and 74 run between Charlotte and Raleigh; Carolinian trains 79 and 80 run between Charlotte and New York City.
The southbound 73 stops daily in Burlington at 8:08 a.m., followed by the northbound 80 at 9:43 a.m.
The southbound 80 is scheduled to arrive daily at 6:01 p.m., followed by the northbound 74 at 7:27 p.m.
In addition to Burlington and Greensboro, the Piedmont cancellations will be in effect for stations in Charlotte, Kannapolis, Salisbury, High Point, Durham, Cary and Raleigh. The Carolinian cancellations also will affect the Selma, Wilson and Rocky Mount stations.
Alternate transportation won't be provided from the canceled stops.
Travelers who need to reschedule can call 1-800-872-7245 (1-800-USA-RAIL) or log on to www.amtrak.com.
State rail officials are making the move to give crews the needed eight- to 12-hour windows to refurbish track, install switch panels and tie the latter into a signal system, said Joan Bagherpour, a spokeswoman with the state DOT's Rail Division.
On a somewhat related note, a third line between Raleigh and Charlotte should be added to the schedule by the end of 2009.
In June 2008, then-Gov. Mike Easley announced a plan to offer midday service, "with departures from Raleigh and Charlotte," in six months to a year. The line will have stops in Burlington.
Bagherpour didn't have a firm date, but said she expected the new line to be in place by the start of the fourth quarter of the year on Oct. 1.
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