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
27 September 2023
- Amtrak's new next-generation Acela high-speed train visits Mass. - WCVB Boston
- 4 Scenic Amtrak Routes for Stunning Views of Fall Foliage - Condé Nast Traveler
- No Amtrak trains from Albany to Schenectady this weekend. - Times Union
- Amtrak plans Gulf Coast route 18 years after Hurricane Katrina - The Washington Post
- Amtrak, CHSRA Awarded Nearly $400MM in CRISI Grants - RailwayAge Magazine
- Amtrak projects receive almost $200 million in CRISI grants - TRAINS Magazine
- Amtrak to expand service from Pittsburgh to New York after deal between PennDOT, Norfolk Southern - CBS News
- MoDOT requests Amtrak rail service expansion to Springfield, Branson - News-Leader
- Kansas City man pleads guilty in connection to fatal shooting on Amtrak train - KMBC Kansas City
- New Bi-level Bridge Proposal Challenges Amtrak's Dual Bridge Plan For Susquehanna - Patch
- Amtrak volunteers cry 'disrespect;' shifts may not be covered after resignation - Jefferson City News Tribune
- Expanded Amtrak Services in Pittsburgh Will Add a Second Daily Trip to The Big Apple - Pittsburgh Magazine
- Amtrak Awarded Nearly $200M in Federal Grants - Amtrak Media
- Amtrak to restore Gulf Coast service 18 years after Hurricane Katrina - WBUR News
- Stefanik Demands Amtrak and CN Outline Plan to Keep the ... - Congresswoman Elise Stefanik