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http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/intercity/narp-new-amtrak-midwest-routes-advance.html?channel=41 New Amtrak Midwest routes advance The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) says progress is being made on establishing two new Amtrak routes from the railroad's Chicago hub, one serving the Quad Cities and a second reaching toward Dubuque, Iowa. Illinois' Department of Transportation and CN are negotiating an infrastructure improvement plan and budget for starting passenger rail service linking Chicago and Rockford, Ill., northwest of Chicago, by the end of 2015, according to NARP's December 2013 membership newsletter, NARP News. An addition to Dubuque, Iowa, just across the Mississippi River, would follow shortly thereafter. NARP also noted Illinois is "nearing the end of preliminary design" on a second route, the better-known effort to link Chicago and the Quad Cities. Construction on this project is expected to begin early next year by constructing a connection at Wyanet, Ill., linking BNSF's Chicago-Galesburg line used by other Amtrak trains with Iowa Interstate Railroad's line to the Quad Cities. Revenue Amtrak service for this effort is targeted to begin in December 2015. The project last October officially secured a $230 million federal grant. A multimodal is planned for Moline. The Quad Cities Passenger Rail Coalition (QC Rail), a grassroots advocacy group, hopes to use the Moline station as a starting point for eventual passenger extensions across Iowa, including stops at Iowa City, Des Moines, the state capital, and Omaha, Neb. Omaha currently is served by Amtrak's California Zephyr.

Kenosha is the city not Waukesha.. Kenosha is at the north end of the UP North commuter line to Chicago. So a resident can live on the Lake Michigan lakefront of downtown Kenosha and commute to Chicago's Loop without driving in a car. http://metrarail.com/content/metra/en/home/maps_schedules/metra_system_map/up-n/map.html

Just another rung and the ladder towards service implementation. But alot of work has been put into making this corridor a reality. Good forward planning by the MnDOT. http://www.northernlightsexpress.org/joomla/index.php http://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/news/FRA-signs-off-on-environmental-work-for-MinneapolisDuluth-highspeed-rail-project--37697 FRA signs off on environmental work for Minneapolis-Duluth high-speed rail project The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has found "no significant impact" on the Tier 1 Service Level Environmental Assessment for the proposed Minneapolis-to-Duluth high-speed rail service known as the Northern Lights Express (NLX). The project now can advance to the preliminary engineering and Tier 2 level environmental documentation phase, Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) officials said in a press release. The Tier 1 assessment examined the 155-mile corridor for the social, economic and environmental impacts of building infrastructure necessary to operate 110-mph trains. Part of the high-speed line would pass through Douglas County in Wisconsin. The Tier 1 environmental assessment was made available for public comment in spring. The FRA took those comments into consideration when preparing the finding, MnDOT officials said. Under the state's environmental review process, MnDOT also has issued a "findings of fact and conclusion and a negative declaration" indicating that a state environmental impact statement is not required, they said.

^ I don't know...at this late date the InDOT is just now presenting ideas for improved service. It is all too disingenuous. Indot Chief Woodruff is appeasing the current vocal local proponents but will soon be shrugging his shoulders and repeating well crafted statements that point the finger at "lack of local $$ support" , "lack of Federal support" "poor ridership" but never taking any ownership of the lack of a long-term State or INDOT track investment program and a lack of long-term partnership agreements with host rr's. I'm in favor of the MWRRI plan and HrSR in general, but this might be a lost cause. Better to get rid of this whipping boy example of failure so the examples of success can be highlighted....Future DET-CHI and CHI-St.L. lines and current Hiawatha line CHI-Milw. BTW,, The article states that Indiana has 18 days for a decision. Not true. Amtrak will continue the Hoosier unitl Sept 30th. But they want to know if the state will fund 2 weeks before that. So Indy has to notify by Monday Sept 16th...4 days from now. But at least INDOT has held some public forums and presented a plan (to the affected cities not to the public) and is now preparing their hand wringing speeches.

Thank you for the links... If the Hoosier is cancelled do you think Michigan will request the equipment for a 2nd Pere Marquette? They are the same consist. What is the protocol?

KJP where can I find documentation on this proposed extensions of Hoosier State to Cincy?

USDOT TIGER http://www.dot.gov/tiger.\ Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Unfortunately Ohio was shut out of the limited TIGER funding. National GOP Congress limited total funding to $465mil. And Ohio Gov hates transit and transit groupies anyway. Midwest winners were: Michigan $9,383,036 for track upgrades Kalamazoo to Dearborn. Illinois $14,400,000 for a road under rail underpass in Springfield. Missouri $20,000,000 for a branch of Street Car line in Kansas City Indiana $10,000,000 for Electric buses in Indianapolis Wisconsin got nothing Texas got $31 million for 3 projects Oklahoma City got $13,591,178 to rehab the old Santa Fe depot into an inter-modal hub for Amtrak, city buses and future streetcar. Pennsylvania got $10,000,000 for Septa/CSX rail separation project.

Wow this is a stunner. Not only is WI DOT planning 3 additional Hiawatha Express daily round trips but also add a 2nd daily round trip Empire Builder route that would terminate in St. Cloud, MN from Chicago making all of the stops. Which means Chicago-Milwaukee would be served by a total of 12 daily round trips.

Funny how pax train service is a socialist incursion on the free republic of USA....except when its not. http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/intercity/amtrak-ns-commonwealth-of-virginia-embark-on-service-extension-to-roanoke.html?channel=41 Amtrak, Norfolk Southern, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the City of Roanoke have joined together to start work to extend Amtrak regional intercity passenger rail service from Lynchburg to Roanoke, the “Star City.” It has been 34 years since intercity passenger rail has served Roanoke. The return of passenger rail to Roanoke is a result of passage this year of Virginia's first major transportation funding plan in nearly three decades. Extending the state’s Lynchburg line is anticipated to take between three and four years. Conceptual design work and rail capacity analysis is under way, work will be done by Norfolk Southern, Amtrak, and the City of Roanoke. The partnership is formally called “Amtrak Virginia.”

Just one step closer to equipping the fleet with new power. What is curious is that some how Iowa has stayed in the game even though they have not accepted their track work funding or obligated any state matching funds for the CHI-Iowa City line. http://www.dot.gov/briefing-room/federal-railroad-administration-announces-multistate-request-proposals-next-generation Federal Railroad Administration Announces Multistate Request for Proposals for Next-Generation Passenger Rail Locomotives WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today announced that U.S. manufacturers are being invited to submit bids to produce high-performance, next-generation diesel-electric locomotives. “When we make smart investments in rail, we are investing in America,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Our Buy America provisions ensure that the major components of these locomotives will be built with American hands and with American produced steel, iron and manufactured goods.” The Request for Proposals (RFP) to manufacture approximately 35 new diesel-electric locomotives in America comes from a groundbreaking multi-state effort to jointly purchase standardized rail equipment to be used on state corridor routes in Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and Iowa in the Midwest and Washington, California, and Oregon on the West Coast. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is leading the multi-state locomotive procurement, with first deliveries expected in 2016. The FRA has allocated $808 million to manufacture the next generation of passenger rail equipment including the 35 new locomotives and 130 bi-level rail cars. The engines will be built to standardized technical specifications developed by the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA) Section 305 Next Generation Corridor Equipment Pool Committee and will comply with the latest Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission standards. The new uniform standards will drive down costs and allow more manufacturers and suppliers to compete, fostering a healthy competition while re-establishing the U.S. domestic supply chain for passenger rail equipment. The intent to purchase 35 new locomotives comes as intercity passenger rail ridership continues to post and exceed ridership records. Last year, Amtrak carried more than 31.2 million passengers, marking the highest annual ridership total since they started operations in 1971, and the ninth ridership record during the last ten years. The state corridor routes where these new locomotives will be deployed are among those services with the highest ridership growth. “We’re taking historic steps to build the rail system our economy needs and – more importantly – that Americans deserve, all while creating American jobs,” said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo. “The need for new rail equipment has never been greater and the more than 750 railroad suppliers located in the United States are up to the job.” Selection of the manufacturer will occur in early 2014. Delivery of the locomotives is planned for 2016. A copy of the RFP can be found here. ### Thursday, August 8, 2013

Business Booming On Amtrak In Missouri, Illinois http://fox2now.com/2013/07/10/business-booming-on-amtrak-in-missouri-illinois/ Posted on: 10:08 pm, July 10, 2013, by Roche Madden ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI)– Business on Amtrak in Missouri and Illinois has been booming. Folks are parking their cars, skipping the airport and taking the train. More people are boarding the train in St. Louis and going north to Chicago or west to Kansas City than ever before. Marc Magliari is a spokesman for Amtrak, “Ridership has more than doubled because there are more opportunities for people to arrive, more opportunities for people to go back and forth the same day.” Kevin Hagerty rode the train recently to Chicago with his son. “I think people are trying to save money and this is the way to save money,” he said. St. Louis can pay as lithe as $26 and go all the way to the Windy City, cheaper than driving or flying. ..... Ridership has also jumped on the Missouri River Runner, the train from St. Louis to Kansas City. Although there are only two round trips a day people are turning to Amtrak because it`s now dependable. Eric Curtit works for MODOT, “It`s gone from 63 percent to around 90 percent and we have weeks and sometimes month where it was 100 percent on time performance.” Curtit says newer track or siding allows freight trains to get out of the way of Amtrak so passengers can arrive in Kansas City on time. Plus a new bridge is being built which shouldll eliminate one of the last major bottlenecks in Missouri. Curtit added, “This route consistently is in the top satisfaction of all amtrak routes across the country.” The future for Amtrak looks bright. New cars, new engines and high speed travel is on the way. Marc Magliari said, “In the next five years we`re going to have two 110 mile an hour from Chicago one to St. Louis and one to Detroit.” A 15 mile stretch of track between Dwight and Pontiac illinois opened last year. The train has no problem right now passing traffic on interstate 55. Wi-fi will be added within the year on the River Runer. Amtrak is also green, officials say the route from St. Louis to Kansas City removes about 600 cars from interstate 70 everyday.

http://www.idothsr.org/ http://www.idothsr.org/pdf/amtrak-illinois-2013-construction-phase%201-atk-13-078.pdf CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation and Union Pacific Railroad are performing another phase of upgrades to Illinois’ signature high-speed route, Chicago-St. Louis, for future 110 mph operation of Amtrak Lincoln Service trains. The construction work includes the installation of new premium rail with concrete ties and stone ballast; upgrades to bridges, culverts and drainage; signal and wayside equipment installations and upgrades; and roadway-rail grade crossing improvements. For eight days starting August 16, bridge and culvert upgrades north of Bloomington- Normal will lead Amtrak to charter buses for Lincoln Service (Trains 300-307) passengers at St.Louis, Alton, Carlinville, Springfield, Lincoln, Normal, Pontiac, Dwight, Joliet and Summit, Ill. Amtrak Texas Eagle(Trains 21/321/421 & 22/322/422) will detour between Chicago and St. Louis for the same period, with alternate transportation in both directions between Joliet and St.Louis. Two more phases of planned 2013 construction will also require substitute transportation. In order to expedite travel between Chicago and downstate, many of the buses will connect to and from Amtrak Illini and Saluki trains in Champaign-Urbana to avoid Chicago suburban highway congestion and downtown Chicago traffic. Schedules and a notice about this disruption are available at stations and displayed as part of the booking process on Amtrak.com. These infrastructure improvements will allow Union Pacific crews to enable Amtrak to operate service at speeds up to 110 mph, an increase from the current maximum of 79 mph in effect over most of the route. Starting last Thanksgiving, the Dwight to Pontiac segment became the first part of the corridor to regularly experience trains traveling at speeds up to 110 mph

Not every expansion is a good idea. This one in particular received poor marks on its feasibility ROI. It wold have cost the sate of MO a great deal of resources to build out and finance and it did not have rolling stock available. MO is doing the right thing in concentrating its resources on the KC-STL route.

This is a long article worth reading. http://www.examiner.com/article/illinois-based-nippon-sharyo-awarded-352m-contract-to-build-high-speed-railcars Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Secretary Ann L. Schneider and leaders from Sumitomo Corporation of America (SCOA) to announce that Illinois-based Nippon Sharyo has been awarded a $352 million contract from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Last July Governor Quinn announced that Nippon Sharyo would open the company’s new U.S. headquarters and passenger railcar production facility in Rochelle, Illinois. The Japanese train car manufacturer Nippon Sharyo invested $50 million and created 250 new jobs in Rochelle, which will help the company increase its competitiveness by moving closer to its U.S. customers and suppliers. “I am committed to growing our manufacturing industry, increasing foreign investment and bringing high-speed rail to Illinois,” Governor Quinn said. “Our strong transportation network and central location make Illinois the ideal choice for global companies like Nippon Sharyo that are looking to grow.” Much more in link above EDITED to comply with copyright restrictions. Please limit postings of copyrighted material to no more than three paragraphs. Thank you.

http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Latest-Study-Likes-Iowa-City-Route-for-Amtrak-Omaha-Service-176866181.html Kind of a "No sh!t!" moment: A study concludes that the best passenger route is the one that connects the largest university in the state to the largest city-and state Capitol and also links to the Quad Cities and Chicago. Well at least they got that out of the way,. Latest Study Likes Iowa City Route for Amtrak Omaha Service A feasibility study nearing completion is likely to settle on the Iowa Interstate route through Iowa City and Des Moines to Council Bluffs and Omaha. That's the same line chosen three years ago to extend Chicago-Moline service to Iowa City - a plan stalled by opposition from Gov. Terry Branstad and state House Republicans. .... New trains to Omaha would supplement Amtrak's California Zephyr, one train a day in each direction on the BNSF Railway via Burlington, Mount Pleasant, Ottumwa, Osceola, and Creston. .... Starting in 2015, Iowa Interstate will host the new Amtrak trains between Chicago and Moline west of Wyanet, Ill., about 111 miles west of Chicago. Illinois Department of Transportation spokesman Josh Kaufman said engineering and design work is underway for a connection between Iowa Interstate and BNSF. ...... Iowa City service was included in early planning for the new route, but Branstad and legislative Republicans don't want the state to cover its $3 million-a-year operating susbsidy.