Since 1995, Amtrak and the state of Michigan have spent millions of dollars building an advance signaling system on Amtrak’s corridor line in southwestern Michigan for a possible train speed of 110 mph. In the fall of 2005, train speeds along the line were raised from 79 mph to 95 mph. Planners at the Michigan Department of Transportation are discussing plans this summer of a passenger rail network capable of speeds in excess of 200 mph. The Amtrak passenger train pictured above is destined for Chicago cruises through the city of Niles on June 24, 2006 along the designated high speed corridor. (Photo by J.R. Valderas)

Amtrak train 371, the Pere Marquette, arrives to pick-up passengers bound for Chicago and beyond at the Padnos Transportation Center in the Tulip City of Holland, Michigan on April 26, 2006. Holland’s 77th annual Tulip Time Festival is held May 6-13, 2006. (Photo by J.R. Valderas)

Passengers board Amtrak Wolverine train 355 at the Amtrak station in Royal Oak on April 8, 2006. (Photo by Pete Kinney)

Amtrak train 371, the Pere Marquette, prepares to depart from the St. Joseph station which is shared with a restaurant.

VIA Rail locomotive F40PH-2 No. 6424 sports a special Super Bowl paint scheme at the Windsor/Walkerville VIA Rail station in Windsor, Ontario on Feb. 5, 2006. The special train brought 1,000 football fans from Toronto to Windsor for Super Bowl XL and was sponsored by Budweiser, NFL Canada and VIA Rail. (Photo by Steve Sobel)