Category Archives: FYI

Announcements, FYI, News

Illinois announces partnership to study 220-mph rail service

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today announced a partnership between the University of Illinois, the Illinois Department of Transportation and a special advisory group to study the feasibility of 220-mph passenger rail service between Chicago, Champaign-Urbana and beyond. The study will complement the ongoing construction of a regional 110-mph network that will connect Chicago to 40 cities in the Midwest, while supporting Governor Quinn‘s vision to create jobs, enhance regional mobility and improve the environment by expanding passenger rail in Illinois.

“Illinois is leading the nation with our work to expand high-speed and passenger rail,” said Governor Quinn. “This study will provide greater insight into how we can make 220-mph rail service a reality. An expanded and improved rail network will boost our position in the global economy and create thousands of jobs.”

The study will explore the potential costs and benefits of establishing 220-mph service between O’Hare International Airport, downtown Chicago, McCormick Place, and Champaign-Urbana. It will also look at extending the corridor in the region to cities south of Champaign-Urbana, including St. Louis and Indianapolis.

Leading the study will be University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign professor Christopher P.L. Barkan, director of the school’s railroad engineering program and one of the nation’s top rail scholars. Contributing will be University of Illinois at Chicago Urban Transportation Center director Stephen Schlickman, former executive director of the Regional Transportation Authority. Their findings, made possible through a $1.25 million contribution from the Illinois Jobs Now! capital program, is expected to be complete and presented to Governor Quinn in late 2012.

“I’m delighted that the University of Illinois can lend its vast expertise to this crucial study, and I’m grateful to the governor and other leaders in the state for their support of this important work,” said University of Illinois President Michael Hogan. “High-speed rail is transformational in its effect on economic development, personal mobility and on our society, in general. It’s an idea that is well worth a hard look. The benefits to the University of Illinois alone cannot be overstated.”

In addition to offering corridor location recommendations, the study will offer estimated ridership projections, economic impacts, construction costs and financing options. Assisting in the effort will be an advisory group composed of transportation experts, rail advocates, labor leaders, and regional planners who will provide input during the course of the study.

The members of the special advisory group include:

  • State Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago)
  • State Representative Elaine Nekritz (D-Northbrook)
  • Rick Harnish, Midwest High Speed Rail Association
  • Kevin Brubaker, Environmental Law & Policy Center
  • Joan Murphy, Cook County Commissioner (6th)
  • Bob Guy, United Transportation Union
  • J.D. Ross, Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors
  • MarySue Barrett, Metropolitan Planning Council
  • Jack Guthman, Shefsky & Froelich Ltd

Governor Quinn and IDOT broke ground last year on the state’s signature high-speed line between Chicago and St. Louis. Speeds of 110-mph along parts of the corridor will be reached as early as next year. A completed Midwest network will create over 57,000 jobs, including 24,000 in Illinois. In addition to Chicago-St. Louis, the Obama Administration has provided funding for the Chicago to Iowa City via the Quad Cities and Chicago to Detroit corridors. Last month, the U.S. Department of Transportation also awarded additional funding to expand the Midwest’s new equipment fleet with modern, domestically-built locomotives and railcars.

FYI, News

League of Michigan Bicyclists asks MDOT and Amtrak to allow bicycles on trains

The League of Michigan Bicyclists is asking the Michigan Department of Transporation (MDOT) and Amtrak:

  • to prioritize allowing bicycles on-board Michigan’s three Amtrak routes, especially through roll-on service.
  • to ensure that the new rolling stock to service Michigan routes includes 21st century provisions for bicycles on-board trains.
  • to include short and long-term bike parking in all future site plans.

Issue
Seamless multi-modal connections are essential to a sustainable 21st century transportation system. It should be easy for travelers to make connections from one mode of transportation to another to easily and safely link trips. One great example is the potential for train travelers to travel from community to community and then bicycle to their final destinations.

Many Amtrak routes across the county offer roll-on bike service allowing passengers to bring a bicycle on board train cars without having to check them as boxed luggage. Unfortunately, as of this date, no Michigan Amtrak lines allow for bicycles on board, including the Blue Water, Lake Shore Limited, and the Pere Marquette. All three of these routes use the same train equipment as Downstate Illinois Service and the Missouri River Runner, both of which allow for bicycles on trains.

Our state is home to a number of bicycle tours in or near Michigan communities serviced by Amtrak. By adding bike facilities on Amtrak trains, many Michigan communities could benefit from increased tourism spending, particularly from vacationing Chicago residents.

Southwest Michigan has a particular competitive advantage that could be leveraged through such a service. Not only does this part of the state offer numerous cycling opportunities, Chicago’s Union Station is less than a 3-hour train trip from destinations such as Niles, Dowagiac, and Kalamazoo. Many Chicago residents do not own an automobile and would prefer to not have to rent one to travel to and within Michigan. Allowing bikes on board would give these tourists the option to utilize Amtrak to visit our state. Without options to bring bicycles on board, Michigan is losing out on significant travel-related spending generated by bicycle tourism. In addition, commuters traveling within Michigan would also have additional transportation options.

Roll-on bike service for Michigan trains does not necessarily require new rolling stock. In many other states Amtrak offers on-board bicycle services in a variety of ways, including: bicycles stored onboard in bike racks; bicycles stored as checked baggage secured by tie-down equipment (not in a box); and by allowing folding bicycles to be brought onboard as carry-on baggage.

Facts

  • Amtrak routes out of  Chicago, using the same cars as Michigan, already allow bikes on trains.      Amtrak simply needs to update their online reservation system to make this feasible here.
  • Bicycle tourism is a booming industry, and bikes on trains could attract additional visitors. The Apple Cider Century, an annual one-day bicycle tour of the orchards, forests and wine country around Three Oaks, draws over 5,000 cyclists. Since 1974, it has been the Midwest’s largest one-day century event. Similar numbers participate in the Dick Allen Lansing to Mackinac Ride (DALMAC), which annually draws over 2,000 riders, typically from over 20 states.
  • Sec. 711. (5) of the 2011 Transportation budget states: “For rail passenger service supported in any part through capital or operating assistance from funds appropriated in this article, the department shall work with the rail carrier to  identify ways in which reasonable transport of bicycles by passengers can be accommodated.”

For more information visit: http://www.lmb.org/index.php/Advocacy/implement-bikes-on-trains.html

Announcements, FYI

Excursion to the 44th Alma Highland Festival May 28, 2011

For the first time since the mid-1980′s, ride a train to the Alma Highland Festival. Board the diesel powered train at the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso for a trip to one of Michigan’s great summer events.

If you have never attended the Alma Highland Festival, you are in for a rare treat. Thousands of people from around the world flock to Alma every year (this is year 44) to enjoy the music, dancing, food, competitions and the Border Collie exhibition. All things Scottish will be there. There are over 100 crafters in the Arts and Crafts Fair area and food vendors serving Scottish delicacies. This is not your run-of-the-mill festival! Admission to the festival included in ticket price. Purchase your tickets HERE, or for further information, check out the ALMA HIGHLAND FESTIVAL WEBSITE.

$40 for adults, $20 for children 2-12

Already attending the Highland Festival? Ride the Steam Railroading Institute’s one hour train from the festival itself:
One Hour Excursions         $15 for adults and $10 for children 2 – 12.

Announcements, FYI

Amtrak taps into railfan base to boost security

The Partners for Amtrak Safety and Security program assists Amtrak Police in protecting America’s Railroad by encouraging passengers and community members to be on the alert for potential security or safety problems.
 
Help maintain a safe rail network by joining the Partners for Amtrak Safety and Security program. Amtrak Police need your assistance as an extra set of eyes and ears. Register today and help protect America’s Railroad.

Sign up Today!  https://pass.amtrak.com/  Register for Free

The Partners for Amtrak Safety and Security (PASS) program encourages community members to sign up, and personally assume the challenge of Protecting America’s Railroad. Help maintain a safe rail network by joining Partners for Amtrak Safety and Security. We need your assistance as an additional set of eyes and ears, alert to anything unusual or out of the ordinary that you may witness. If you wish to participate, please complete and submit the form at the above link. Upon completion, an email will be sent to you containing a link to a printable version of your Partners for Amtrak Safety and Security Card.
Announcements, FYI

Maple Syrup Festival Train Ride

Train Rides – Shepherd to Mt. Pleasant

On Saturday April 30th a train will depart the Shepherd Train Depot and run to the Mountain Town Station Depot in Mt. Pleasant.

Train departs the Shepherd Depot hourly from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Pricing is $10.00 per person / round trip.

There will also be a Dinner Train leaving Mountain Town Station at 5:00 pm. The Dinner Train will be $70.00 & up, including all the beer and wine you would like. You must be 21 years or older to take part in the wine and beer tasting.

There will be a special wine and beer tasting in the Club Car. The price is $35.00 per person. Tickets are available at the following locations:

  • Shepherd Depot
  • The Hair Razor in Shepherd
  • Mountain Town Station in Mt. Pleasant

More info: