Effective through October 31, 2012

Train 371, which operates over tracks owned by CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Railway, has been experiencing delays of up to 60 minutes due to freight train interference, speed restrictions imposed by the host railroads and other operating conditions.

We are working to reduce delays whenever possible and provide our passengers with more reliable service. On certain days, the train may operate according to the published schedule, or with minimal delays.

Passengers should plan for the possibility of a delay, and contact Amtrak before heading to the station. The most up-to-date arrival and departure times are available on Amtrak.com, our free iPhone app and at 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).

Thank you for traveling with Amtrak. We appreciate your patronage and apologize for any inconvenience.

Join us on facebook.com/Amtrak and follow us on twitter.com/Amtrak.

PSN 0812-126

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Alert_C&pagename=am%2FAM_Alert_C%2FAlerts_Popup&p=1237608345018&cid=1251622568261

Government, business, and economic development leaders are urged to attend Northwest Ohio Passenger Rail Association and TMACOG Public Transit & Passenger Rail Committee:

Passenger Rail Forum
Monday, October 22, 2012
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The Toledo Club
Fourth Floor
235 14th Street, Toledo, Ohio

Keynote speaker:

Thomas C. Carper, Chairman of the Board, Amtrak

“Amtrak and Economic Development in the Midwest”

Remarks: Don Yerks, Chairman, NOPRA

Moderator: Tina Skeldon Wozniak, Commissioner, Lucas County

Registration: $25 NOPRA members, $30 non-members, $18 students

Luncheon buffet included

For a registration form:

http://www.tmacog.org/info_events.htm

http://www.tmacog.org/TransportationMeetings/Passenger%20Rail%20Forum/2012/Flier_pdf.pdf

On October 26, 2011 Governor Snyder delivered a special message titled, “Reinventing Michigan’s Infrastructure: Better Roads Drive Better Jobs”. In this message, he introduced his proposed plans for the future of transportation and infrastructure.

In this midst of his speech, Gov. Snyder stated, “I fully recognize that solving this decades-long challenge will not be easy, but I am convinced that starting the conversation and debate now is absolutely necessary for the future of our economy and our quality of life. I look forward to working with the legislature, our local communities and our citizens over the next several months to develop a plan and the political will to implement it.”

When the Trans4M Coalition convened for its Meeting of the Whole on November 11, 2011 there was a clear consensus that Trans4M would make a concerted effort to hold Governor Snyder accountable for his words by creating public “conversation and debate” throughout the state. Thus, Trans4M will hold a series of Community Forums throughout Michigan in which the citizens, non-profits, and businesses will work together to create a shared transportation vision for the state.

Tuesday, September 11 – Kalamazoo 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce, 346 West Michigan Ave., Ste. 100, Kalamazoo, MI Sponsored by Disability Network of Southwest Michigan, Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers, Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Transit for Kalamazoo County, Kalamazoo Environmental Council, League of Women Voters Kalamazoo Area, Kalamazoo County Transportation Authority, and ISAAC

Wednesday, September 12 – Port Huron 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Donald Dodge Auditorium, 200 Grand River, Port Huron, MI

Tuesday, September 18 – Grand Rapids 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm The Rapid Central Station, 2nd Floor Community Room, 250 Grandville Ave. SW, Grand Rapids, MI Sponsored by Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers, Disability Advocates of Kent County

Tuesday, September 25 – St. Joseph Location + Time TBD

More information: http://trans4m.org/events/community-forums/

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has initiated a program to evaluate passenger rail improvements for the Chicago-Detroit/Pontiac passenger rail corridor. The program is being prepared in partnership with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), and in association with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

The purpose of the program is to improve intercity mobility by providing an improved passenger rail service that would be a competitive transportation alternative to automobile, bus and air service between Chicago and Detroit/Pontiac, Mich. The program will provide sufficient information for the FRA to potentially support future decisions to fund and implement a major investment in the passenger rail corridor.

This website is being provided to keep you informed about the program and to provide opportunities for you to give input.

Meeting Schedule

The public is welcome to come anytime between 4 and 7 p.m. to review the displays and talk with staff. A presentation will be given at 4:30 p.m. and repeated at 6 p.m. The same information will be presented at each meeting.

Illinois
Wednesday, September 12,  4 to 7 p.m.
Chicago Union Station
Union Gallery Room (off the Great Hall)
500 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL

Indiana
Thursday, September 13, 4 to 7 p.m.
Michigan City/City Hall             100 E. Michigan Blvd., Michigan City, IN

Michigan
Wednesday, September 26, 4 to 7 p.m.
Double Tree by Hilton Hotel
5801 Southfield Expressway, Dearborn, MI

Thursday, September 27, 4 to 7 p.m.
Radisson Plaza Hotel
100 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, MI
(Parking validation will be provided for the Radisson parking garage.)

More information: http://www.greatlakesrail.org/

National Train Day is back to celebrate train travel and the ways trains touch the lives of people across America. Saturday, May 12, 2012, will be the day where train stations and other venues across the country, host activities and exhibits that highlight the past, present and future of trains and travel. Amtrak will host major events in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles with free live entertainment and activities for both children and adults: interactive and educational exhibits, model train displays and tours of Amtrak equipment, and notable private railroad cars.

National Train Day marks the 143rd anniversary of the creation of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad. On May 10, 1869, in Promontory Summit, Utah, the ‘golden spike’ was driven into the final tie that joined 1,776 miles of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railways, forever transforming the face and character of America.        

Here’s a listing of events in Michigan on May 12th:

Kalamazoo Model Railroad Historical Society
The society will operate a 20 x 40 foot HO Scale Layout in display. Vintage Boyne City, Gaylord & Alpena caboose is open for tours. Refreshments, free parking, free admission. 

 9336 N. Riverview Parchment, MI 49004
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Railroad Café —Bangor
The Mayor of Bangor will read a proclamation to the crew of Amtrak’s Grand Rapids – to – Chicago Pere Marquette train upon arrival of the train at 9:02 a.m. followed by family-friendly events including live music, an HO scale model railroad layout, refreshments, and the Grand Opening of the ice cream shop at The Railroad Cafe.

555 Railroad Street Bangor, MI 49013
8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Fernwood Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve —Niles
Celebrate National Train Day with a visit to Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve, and see the popular Railway Garden, designed by landscape architect and naturalist, Paul Busse. This is the fourth season for this family attraction, which features bridges, tunnels, waterfalls, and four train tracks at varying levels. Buildings are replicas of five local attractions, including Buchanan’s Pears Mill, the St. Joseph Lighthouse, Notre Dame’s Golden Dome, the Niles Train Depot, and new this year, the historic Niles City Hall, all made with natural materials. See www.fernwoodbotanical.org for more details and ticket prices.

13988 Range Line Road Niles, MI 49120
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

National Association of Railway Business Women- Saginaw-Great Lakes Chapter #68 — Flint
Activities include Operation Lifesaver, NARBW Display, refreshments, model train exhibit, and more.  

1407 S Dort Hwy (M-54) Flint, MI 95340
6 a.m. – 11 a.m.