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 March 2023
- Amtrak begins to restore service after server issues force cancellations - CNN
- Amtrak PTC server meltdown continues - TRAINS Magazine
- People left finding new routes after Amtrak cancelations - WILX
- Amtrak service begins to return as server data issue clears up - TRAINS Magazine
- PTC issues cause Amtrak cancellations and delays - TRAINS Magazine
- Amtrak begins to restore service after server issues force cancellations - Channel3000.com - WISC-TV3
- Amtrak delays, cancellations due to server issues affecting trains in and out of Chicago, nationwide - WLS-TV
- Rail control system issue leads to Amtrak cancellations, passengers being stranded - WGN TV Chicago
- Amtrak server issues: Amtrak routes from Chicago to St Louis, Milwaukee being restored after cancellations, spokesperson says - WLS-TV
- ‘Train Daddy’ Andy Byford to Join Amtrak - The New York Times
- Man struck, killed by Amtrak train in Philadelphia's Frankford section - WPVI-TV
- Shop unions coalition announces agreement with Amtrak - TRAINS Magazine
- Amtrak Adirondack Line to restart soon | News, Sports, Jobs - The Adirondack Daily Enterprise
- Amtrak Study Examines Scranton - New York Corridor - Amtrak Media
- Woman struck and killed by Amtrak train identified - Vermont Biz