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
19 March 2024
- From the Cab: Amtrak's 'Hilltopper' - Trains - TRAINS Magazine
- Amtrak: We Need to Tear Down Buildings in Order to Expand Penn Station - ourtownny.com
- Person dies after being hit by Amtrak train in Durham. Second railroad death in days. - Raleigh News & Observer
- CMPD: Person hit, killed by Amtrak train in northeast Charlotte - WBTV
- False alarm: Coach buses at North Haven hotel raise concerns of migrant housing, turns out to be Amtrak workers - Waterbury Republican American
- Amtrak GP7 diesel locomotives - Trains - TRAINS Magazine
- 2nd person in less than 2 days dies in Durham train collision, police say - CBS17.com
- Why Amtrak is attempting to revive the Texas Central bullet train - CNBC
- Amtrak’s Long-Distance Expansion Plan Includes Two New Pacific Northwest Routes - The Urbanist
- Latest Amtrak study maps include potential routes through Sioux Falls, Rapid City • South Dakota Searchlight - South Dakota Searchlight
- Princeton Part Of Amtrak Milestone Celebration | Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO | starvedrock.media - Starved Rock Media
- COMMENT: Amtrak reacts to FY24 Appropriations Bill - Global Railway Review
- One person killed as Amtrak train hits car in East Durham - Raleigh News & Observer
- Amtrak deadly crash NC | Charles Hightower killed by Piedmont Passenger Train in Durham after car gets stuck between stop arms - WTVD-TV
- CMPD: Person hit, killed by Amtrak train in northeast Charlotte - WBTV