Amtrak - The National Railroad Passenger Corporation
Amtrak is a federally owned railroad which provides national passenger train service in the United States. Amtrak was created in 1971 to relieve most railroads from being required to continue to provide passenger service. In return, the railroads agreed to allow Amtrak to use its tracks.
In Michigan, Amtrak provides passenger service on three lines. It operates three round trips each day between Pontiac via Detroit to Chicago, Illinois (CN/Conrail/Amtrak/NS). The second route has a single round trip each day between Port Huron and Chicago, via Battle Creek (CN/Amtrak/NS). The third route has a single round trip each day between Grand Rapids and Chicago via Porter, Indiana (CSX/NS).
Amtrak operates on two sections of track which are not owned by freight railroads. Amtrak itself purchased former Conrail trackage between Kalamazoo and Porter, Indiana. In 2013, the State of Michigan purchased former Norfolk Southern trackage between Dearborn and Kalamazoo. The first line offered trains that exceed 80 m.p.h. in a section which uses advanced positive train control. High speed operation is also planned for the Dearborn to Kalamazoo route as well. Norfolk Southern continues to provide freight service on both of these lines through trackage rights.
Amtrak has stations in Albion, Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Benton Harbor/St. Joseph, Birmingham, Dearborn, Detroit, Dowagiac, Durand, Flint, Grand Rapids, Holland, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Lapeer, Michigan City, Niles, and Pontiac in Michigan.
Website: Amtrak
Photo: Amtrak 427 is eastbound at the Battle Creek station. 2006 [Dale Berry photo]
News Feed from Google: Amtrak
News Feed - Amtrak
25 April 2024
- Amtrak can take control of Union Station, federal judge rules - FOX 5 DC
- Federal judge sides with Amtrak on Union Station lawsuit - Washington Business Journal - The Business Journals
- Amtrak Inspector General finds customer communication deficiencies - Trains - TRAINS Magazine
- What Amtrak taking reins of Texas bullet train plan means - Houston Chronicle
- Amtrak lays out arrival, departure times for planned train service in Mobile - Fox 10 News
- Durham celebrates upgrades to Amtrak station - WTVD-TV
- Amtrak schedule for Mobile confirmed, board of zoning adjustment considers depot location - NBC 15 WPMI
- Amtrak Completes Upgrades at Durham Station - Railway Track & Structures
- Amtrak enhances North Carolina stations as passenger numbers rise - The Business Journals
- Amtrak Petitions FRA for Waiver of Compliance Regarding Loss of Shunt Incidents - RailwayAge Magazine
- A fearful flier's guide to train travel on the Coast Starlight - Here is Oregon
- Amtrak Completes Upgrades at Durham Station - Amtrak Media
- COMMENT: Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner releases statement on the passing of Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. - Global Railway Review
- Transit Briefs: Amtrak Virginia, LACMTA, NJT, MWAA - RailwayAge Magazine
- Transportation Secretary throws cold water on South Dakota Amtrak expansion - Dakota News Now