Some time ago (2-3 yrs?) I read in Trains Magazine that Amtrak was conducting 100mph experiments in Michigan using their conventional equipment. Whatever happened to these tests? Does Amtrak still operate at 100mph anywhere in Michigan?
Thanks,
Martin
Since Amtrak trains are now, or soon will be, operating on Watco lines in Michigan I hope the trains don’t even approach that speed.
Mark
The STB said NO to the Watco deal. NS is the owner of most of the route. I think that the Amtrak owned portion - Kalamzoo to Niles - is good for 95 mph.
Check your maps again. Get a DeLorme Atlas. Amtrak operates the tracks from Chicago to Kalamazoo. Then the passenger trains run over NS from Kalamazoo to Battle Creek. Then in Battle Creek the Amtrak trains transfer over to the CN line on their way east to Port Huron or Detroit. That was the arrangement the last I knew.
The High-Speed Track Control was being tested between Chicago and Kalamazoo.
Andrew
Kalamazoo to Detroit is old Michigan Central that is now owned by NS (via NYC, PC, CR). The Amtrak owned portion of the route starts just over the Mich- Indiana border at Niles. The higher speed portion of the route is using something GE (nee Harmon) and Amtrak have been working on called Incremental Train Control. It uses communication between wayside signal devices and the train to enforce movement authorities.
Chicago-Port Huron (1 each way daily) runs via Durand. Chicago- Detroit runs the old MC line through Jackson, Ann Arbor and Dearborn.