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
07 February 2023
- FedEx driver dies in collision with Amtrak train outside Kansas City - KSHB 41 Kansas City News
- Fed Ex driver dies in wreck with Amtrak train in Missouri - San Francisco Chronicle
- 1 killed in Amtrak train, FedEx truck crash in Cass County - WDAF FOX4 Kansas City
- Amtrak train crews begin required training on Mobile-to-New Orleans route - WEAR
- Amtrak argues against mediation in Sunset Limited case, asks STB to begin investigation - TRAINS Magazine
- Sandwiches and Fruit Cups Sold on Amtrak Are Recalled Over Listeria Risk - The New York Times
- Amtrak to begin crew qualification runs for Gulf Coast service - TRAINS Magazine
- Michigan seeks federal funds to upgrade Amtrak route - TRAINS Magazine
- Amtrak making progress in returning to Gulf Coast - WLOX
- Amtrak to conduct test runs for Gulf Coast rail service - WTVY
- Amtrak train from Montana to NYC: Surprising things from the 3-day trip - Insider
- Highway patrol investigating fatal crash involving Amtrak train, FedEx truck - KCTV 5
- FedEx truck driver dead following crash with Amtrak train near Pleasant Hill - Kansas City Star
- Fed Ex driver dies in wreck with Amtrak train in Missouri - Times Union
- Food sold on Amtrak trains was recalled due to potential listeria contamination, but no illnesses have been reported - The Philadelphia Inquirer