So I heard rumors that track speed was increased on most of the Chicago to St. Louis route to 110 mph today for Amtrak corridor trains. Not sure if it is rumor or not so maybe someone can confirm?
Yes, it was in today’s Trains NewsWire. Up to 110 mph in sections between Joliet and Alton.
But what is sad is that there are several locations that have slow sections that were not improved to 110. It is ~~ 220 track miles Joilet - Alton. AT 110 MAS theory 2 hrs but of course Springfield will be what 30 - 40 MPH + stop until new station and track built Eagle takes ~~ 3:00 JOT <> ALN including 4 stops.
I wonder if trains encountered dust storm that resulted in 72 vehicle pileup on I55 the other day?
The Texas Eagle is limited to no more than 100 mph from what I read in the press.
https://digital.denverlibrary.org/digital/collection/p15330coll22/id/57974/
Alton Railroad Train #2 Abraham Lincoln arriving at Chicago Union Station.
Of note it is coming off the B&OCT rather than at 21st Street.
https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/36818450-3fcc-0134-1da0-0050569601ca-a
Chicago & Alton logo - “The Only Way”.
The Texas Eagle Superliner cars are restricted to 100 mph.
The Alton, owned by B&O. Interesting railroad.
UI Library still great. I spent a lot of time in there.
Political celebration doings. The replacement 2 main track bridge over the Mississipi will help Alton <> STL .
St. Louis to Chicago Amtrak trains start 110 mph operation | Mass Transit (masstransitmag.com)
“Illinois is the only state where all seven of the nation’s largest railroads operate. That’s a unique economic advantage recognized by employers across the globe, helping our state attract and maintain quality jobs,” said Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.
Is this pre-CPKC?
I believe that EMC unit is functionally similar, including gearing, to units on ATSF that could regularly run north of 110mph.
On the other hand, if you saw this train even a few years earlier, it might have been pulled by either the Lady Baltimore or Lord Baltimore, both of which should have been 110mph capable…
It most definitely is. CN, CP, NS, CSX, BNSF and UP all serve Chicago and KCS served central Illinois with the former Alton line from Kansas City.
The fastest Lincoln Service train covers the segment Joliet to Alton in as little as three hours, stopping in Bloomington and Springfield, about 250 miles, average speed 83 mph, not bad. Unfortunately add another hour Chicago to Joliet and another hour Alton to St. Louis.