Apparently, from all the rumor mill around the Kirkwood Amtrak Station, The state of Missouri wants to add a new pair of trains. While talking to a station volunteer, the route of this new pair of trains would be St. Louis to Springfeild, MO, with stops at Kirkwood, St. Clair, Rolla, Ft. Lenard Wood, Newburg and Springfeild with a return trip with the same stops. What do you guys take of this, do you think it is true?
…Some states are taking an issue with doing something about providing some rail passenger service…I hope your info is on solid ground and it becomes a reality. Very little good news of this sort comes from Washington.
Its not a rumor.
But its also not decided on as of yet. All there is now is a study.
See attached for details:
http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060614/BREAKING03/60614007
That route would put amtrak on BNSF’s Frisco tracks in MO.
“Weiler detailed the proposed route — which would restore passenger rail service to Springfield for the first time since 1966 — at a Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission meeting today in Springfield.”
Oh, let me guess, the same year Frisco got rid of it’s passanger trains.
It would make it easier for folks to get to Branson.
Saw on TV here in Branson (Springfield KSFX I think) that the plan is ultimately for a passenger extension here from Springfield once the St. Louis-Springfield portion is operational. Of course, to get here by rail they would have to link up with the MNA Railroad in Aurora, west of Springfield, then turn back to the southeast, so although beautiful, it wouldn’t be a real speedy trip, and thus probably impractical. The track is currently used by the Branson Scenic Railway as well as the MNA Railroad.
http://www.bransontrain.com/
http://www.railamerica.com/railmaps/MNA.htm
They should buy New Surfliner Cars for the new service.
There already is a fairly progressive attitude towards rail travel in MO. The state has two round trips a day between KCMO and StLMO to the tune of 7M a year. Several people I know use the service so families can vist each other via intrastate train travel. I predict it will be well recieved if and when it comes on line if BNSF cooperates. [2c]
I hope it works. I’d like to see the train name “Ozark Flyer” or something to that effect maybe. STL-SPF would be a very nice route and I figure half-way profitable. I figure they would use standard Horizon fleet equipment like most mid-western Amtrak Trains, and maybe a non-powered F40PH NPCU “Cabbage”.
If I remember the law correctly BNSF will not have to provide Amtrak access to this line at marginal cost since it was not carrying passengers at the time of Amtrak’s creation. The BNSF will want to be compensated for ALL of its costs which will probably kill the deal.
Mac
Not to mention I don’t think train speeds could be very high on this route, plus it is almost always just a stone throws away from I-44, so I don’t think it will be very competative
Bert
Spoke with a gentleman who lives in Miller, MO which is outside of Springfeild, MO the western terminus. This a hot ticket topic in the local coffee shops and there is overwhelming grass routes support for this train. If the local politicians are listening these folks want this train yesterday.[2c]
I hope it comes to pass but the old Frisco line is single track with lots of curves through the Ozarks. Even when the Frisco put everything in the hole for their flagship train, the Texas Special, it didn’t set any speed records over this route. I doubt that BNSF dispatching will give the same prority to the new service. It’s a scenic route though ,which combined with the right equipment such as a domeliner and diner, could make up for lack of speed. I’m surprised by the State of Missouri’s interest because I thought their subsidized Missouri Mule trains between St. Louie and KC were in jeapordy due to low ridership.