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
15 May 2024
- Amtrak to suspend Adirondack rail line through the end of June - North Country Public Radio
- Halfway done! Amtrak, NJ Transit announce new Portal North Bridge, on time and on budget - WABC-TV
- Amtrak resumes service between Philadelphia, Trenton after delays related to "trespasser" incident - CBS Philly
- In Transit: Amtrak's Future In California - KQED
- Taking my kids on their first Amtrak train, worth it for $336 - Business Insider
- Amtrak to once again suspend Adirondack line - WCAX
- State budget to help pay for new Amtrak stop in Missouri - St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- Northern delights: Amtrak's new Borealis Chicago - Twin Cities service launches May 21 - Streetsblog Chicago
- Major drug bust at Grand Forks Amtrak station - KVLY
- TN seeks ‘conductor’ for Amtrak railway study - WKRN News 2
- Amtrak Summer Travel Flash Sale Offers Big Savings Across the Country - Amtrak Media
- Amtrak cancels Michigan bound trains following freight train derailment - WBBM
- Amtrak to once again suspend Adirondack line - WCAX
- Amtrak to temporarily suspend part of Adirondack Route due to Canadian rail work, officials say - WPTZ
- Amtrak riders say the train is popular for convenience and cost - - CBS19 News