[il-talk] FW: Amtrak High Sped Rail North Of Springfield continues

[Robert A.Hansen]

-----Original Message-----
From: "Robert A. Hansen" <roberthansen1970 at gmail.com>
Sent: Thu, 09 Dec 2010 10:24:55 Pacific Standard Time
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: Amtrak High Sped Rail North Of Springfield continues



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 7, 2010

ATK-10-157

Amtrak Contact: Marc Magliari

312 880.5390

Illinois DOT Contact: Josh Kauffman

217558.0517

HIGH-SPEED RAIL PROJECT NORTH OF SPRINGFIELD CONTINUES THROUGH DECEMBER 23

Ridership remains strong despite substitute transportation for some

Lincoln Service trains; Texas Eagle to detour

CHICAGO -- Improvements supporting future high-speed rail on the 

Chicago-St. Louis corridor north of Springfield will continue to cause 

the daily Amtrak Lincoln Service trains to originate and terminate in 

Bloomington/Normal through Dec. 10 and again Dec. 16 to Dec. 23. This 

work on the Chicago-St. Louis route will also cause the Chicago-San 

Antonio Amtrak Texas Eagle to detour without other scheduled stops 

between Chicago and St. Louis.

Alternate transportation will be provided in most cases (please see the 

attached Passenger Service Notice). This updates a previous 

announcement, adds a work period from the 16th to the 22nd while weather 

conditions permit and is subject to further changes.

The northbound departures of the chartered motorcoaches and vans from 

St. Louis, Alton, Springfield and Lincoln are scheduled one hour ahead 

of the regular Lincoln Service train schedules in order for the 

northbound trains to leave on-time from Bloomington/Normal.

Despite these alternate transportation substitutions, ridership on the 

corridor has continued to be strong. During October and November, 97,407 

passengers rode Lincoln Service trains, an increase of almost 14 percent 

from the same months in 2009.

The Chicago to St. Louis high-speed rail corridor is the first 

high-speed rail project in the country to begin construction. Under an 

initial agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation 

(Illinois DOT), Union Pacific Railroad is installing new concrete ties 

and track switches along the corridor.

The Midwest has received more than $3 billion in competitive federal 

awards in 2010 toward the development of the Chicago Hub Network. When 

completed, the network will connect more than 40 of the largest cities 

in the Midwest with passenger rail, including 60 daily roundtrips from

- more -

- 2 - ATK-10-157

Chicago. In a recent report, Illinois PIRG projected a completed network 

will create 57,000

permanent jobs and support 15,200 jobs during the ten years that it 

would take to construct the system.

Illinois' high-speed rail signature route, Chicago to St. Louis, 

received $1.1 billion in federal funds for corridor improvements. These 

improvements will allow Amtrak Lincoln Service trains to operate at 

speeds up to 110 mph and include new locomotives and passenger cars, 

rebuilding of track, additional highway-rail grade crossing active 

warning devices, and implementation of state-of-the-art safety 

technology. Two new modern transportation centers in Joliet and Normal, 

IL are planned and fully funded through federal, state, local and 

railroad partnerships. Construction at Chicago's Union Station is 

currently underway to expand passenger capacity, and the St. Louis 

Gateway Station recently received federal funding for track improvements.

Passenger Service Notices are posted at stations and will be displayed 

as part of the booking process on Amtrak.com, with updates on the Amtrak 

Illinois website.

About Amtrak

As the nation's intercity passenger rail operator, Amtrak connects 

America in safer, greener and healthier ways. Last fiscal year (FY 

2010), the railroad carried over 28.7 million passengers, making it the 

best year in the company's history. With 21,000 route miles in 46 

states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian provinces, Amtrak 

operates more than 300 trains each day---at speeds up to 150 mph (241 

kph)---to more than 500 destinations. Amtrak also is the partner of 

choice for state-supported corridor services in 15 states and for 

several commuter rail agencies. Visit Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL 

for schedules, fares and more information. Become a fan at 

www.facebook.com/amtrak and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Amtrak.

About Illinois DOT

The Illinois Department of Transportation provides safe, cost-effective 

transportation for Illinois in ways that enhance quality of life, 

promote economic prosperity, and demonstrate respect for our 

environment. Illinois DOT provides leadership throughout Illinois for 

the improvement and coordination of the state's multi-faceted 

transportation system and serves as an advocate and trusted adviser to 

local governments and other community agencies involved in providing 

transportation access and services for all of Illinois. For more 

information, visit http://www.dot.il.gov/.

# # #

Passenger Service Notice Temporary Service Change

Lincoln Service and Texas Eagle Trains

Effective Through Dec. 10 and Dec. 16 - 23

Track work being performed by Union Pacific Railroad will affect the 

Lincoln Service and Texas Eagle, as described below:

Northbound Lincoln Service Trains 300, 302, 304 and 306

?

Effective through Dec. 9, and Dec. 16 through Dec. 22, Trains 300, 302, 

304 and 306 will originate at Bloomington-Normal. Passengers will be 

provided alternate transportation* between St. Louis, Alton, 

Springfield, Lincoln and Bloomington-Normal. At Bloomington-Normal, 

passengers may board their respective trains.

?

Train 300 Exceptions:

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Train 300 will serve all stations on Dec. 1 and Dec. 16.

?

Train 300 will originate in Springfield on Dec. 10 and Dec. 23. 

Alternate transportation* will be provided at St. Louis and Alton.

?

*Alternate transportation will depart one hour earlier than the 

corresponding train schedules.

?

Carlinville Service: Alternate transportation to Carlinville will 

operate according to the published schedules for Trains 304 and 

22/322/422 only. Please note: The motorcoach will stop only to discharge 

passengers.

Southbound Lincoln Service Trains 301, 303, 305 and 307

?

On Dec. 1 through Dec. 9 and Dec. 16 through Dec. 22, Trains 301, 303, 

305 and 307 will terminate at Bloomington-Normal, where alternate 

transportation will be provided to and from Lincoln, Springfield, 

Carlinville, Alton and St. Louis.

?

Connections with Train 313 in St. Louis: Passengers connecting with 

Train 313 in St. Louis should board express motorcoach 3313 at 

Bloomington-Normal and Springfield. Passengers boarding local motorcoach 

5303 are not guaranteed connections with Train 313 in St. Louis.

Westbound Texas Eagle Train 21/321/421

?

On Dec. 1 through Dec. 9, and Dec. 16 through Dec. 22, Train 21/321/421 

will operate non-stop between Chicago and St. Louis. Passengers 

traveling to or from intermediate stations may utilize Lincoln Service 

trains and alternate transportation, as described above.

?

On Dec. 1 through Dec. 9, and Dec. 16 through Dec. 22, Trains 21/321/421 

will depart 30 minutes later from St. Louis, Poplar Bluff and Walnut 

Ridge and will operate according to the published schedule at all 

remaining stations on the route.

Eastbound Texas Eagle Train 22/322/422

?

On Dec. 1 through Dec. 9, and Dec. 16 through Dec. 22, Train 22/322/422 

will operate non-stop from St. Louis to Chicago. Motorcoach service will 

be provided for passengers who are detraining at intermediate stations. 

Please note: The motorcoach will stop only to discharge passengers.

?

On Dec. 1 through Dec. 9, and Dec. 16 through Dec. 22, eastbound Train 

22/322/422 will depart certain stations earlier than the published 

schedule. The train will depart Malvern at 10:23 p.m., Little Rock at 

11:15 p.m., Walnut Ridge at 1:13 a.m., Poplar Bluff at 2:07 a.m. and St. 

Louis at 7:00 a.m.

We appreciate your patronage and apologize for any inconvenience you may 

experience. For reservations and information, visit Amtrak.com, call 

800-USA-RAIL (800-872-7245) or speak with a ticket agent. Amtrak is a 

registered service mark of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.

-- 

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independent sites. Turn OFF the hate mongering FoxNews garbage. That 

stuff should be outlawd and maybe one day it will be outlawed.