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
26 April 2024
- Amtrak can take control of Union Station, federal judge rules - FOX 5 DC
- Amtrak planners identify 3 possible sites for new train station in Portland - Press Herald
- Amtrak seeks $300m for Great Lakes-area stations - NEOtrans
- Amtrak Inspector General finds customer communication deficiencies - Trains - TRAINS Magazine
- Amtrak enhances North Carolina stations as passenger numbers rise - The Business Journals
- Disrespect? X slams Amtrak after food list leaves off New Haven pizza - WTNH.com
- Durham celebrates upgrades to Amtrak station - WTVD-TV
- Amtrak schedule for Mobile confirmed, board of zoning adjustment considers depot location - NBC 15 WPMI
- Public to comment on proposal to move Portland Amtrak station closer to downtown - WGME
- Transit Briefs: Amtrak Virginia, LACMTA, NJT, MWAA - RailwayAge Magazine
- Amtrak Completes Upgrades at Durham Station - Amtrak Media
- Departure Times Revealed for Renewed Gulf Coast Amtrak Service - News Talk 96.5 KPEL
- Federal judge sides with Amtrak on Union Station lawsuit - Washington Business Journal - The Business Journals
- Amtrak lays out arrival, departure times for planned train service in Mobile - Fox 10 News
- Amtrak planners identify 3 possible sites for new train station in Portland - Lewiston Sun Journal