![Amtrak 427 is eastbound at Battle Creek. 2006 [Dale Berry photo]](/images/MIRR/AmtrakWolverine(427)EBAtBattleCreekMI042106-7[DaleBerry].jpg "Amtrak 427 is eastbound at Battle Creek. 2006 [Dale Berry photo]")
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
06 June 2025
- Amtrak plans first 1-seat train ride between Long Island and mainland U.S. - Gothamist
- Train Service Is Suspended Between New York and New Haven - The New York Times
- Passengers led off delayed Amtrak train in Hudson for ‘causing a disturbance’ - Times Union
- Minnesotans find beautiful views, food and fun on trip to New Orleans via train - Star Tribune
- Amtrak says Heartland Flyer faces imminent service suspension - fox23.com
- N.H. woman fatally struck by Amtrak train while attempting to save dog - Boston.com
- Ohio Senate budget changes could make it harder for Amtrak to expand in Ohio, advocates say - WCPO 9 Cincinnati
- Illinois man sentenced to more than four years in prison in Amtrak bribery case - trains.com
- Richmond's Amtrak trains are fuller — and slower - Axios
- The new Amtrak train service from New Orleans to Mobile is pushed back. Here's why. - NOLA.com
- Heartland Flyer Faces Imminent Suspension Without Funding - Amtrak Media
- Amtrak, Metro-North dealing with major service disruptions due to downed power lines - ABC7 New York
- Metro-North service disrupted in CT Friday after downed power lines stranded passengers for hours - CT Insider
- Amtrak platform taking shape, service start date ‘hoped to be announced in the next couple of weeks’ - fox10tv.com
- Amtrak not back to full strength after Northeast power outage - upi.com
