[il-talk] FW: High Speed Amtrak schedulesfor track work in Illinois

[Robert A.Hansen]

-----Original Message-----
From: "Robert A. Hansen" <roberthansen1970 at gmail.com>
Sent: Fri, 05 Nov 2010 11:48:59 Pacific Daylight Time
To: "Robert A.Hansen" <roberthansen33 at yahoo.com>
Subject: High Speed Amtrak schedulesfor track work in Illinois



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 5, 2010

ATK-10-144

Amtrak Contact: Marc Magliari

312 880.5390

Illinois DOT Contact: Josh Kauffman

217558.0517

HIGH-SPEED RAIL PROJECT MOVES NORTH OF SPRINGFIELD STARTING NOVEMBER 15

Track upgrades lead to 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 cause the daily 

Amtrak Lincoln Service trains to originate and terminate in 

Bloomington/Normal from Nov. 15 through Nov. 23 and from Nov. 30 through 

Dec. 10. 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 the attached Passenger Service Notice).

Passengers should note the track work will not be performed and normal 

schedules will be operated from Thanksgiving Eve (Nov. 24) through that 

weekend and into the next week (Nov. 29).

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.

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 first phase of the project is 

being carried out south of Springfield, concluding Nov. 9. The second 

phase, between north of Springfield and Lincoln, will begin Nov. 15.

Amtrak ridership on this corridor has grown significantly with the 

creation of the Lincoln Service and the addition of two round-trips in 

2006, when ridership surged 42 percent from the previous year. Without 

adding frequencies, Lincoln Service ridership grew another 14 percent in 

2008, six percent in 2009 and 11 percent in 2010. From October 2009 

through September 2010, 642,413 passengers have ridden Amtrak trains on 

the corridor, an increase 64,612.

- more -

- 2 - ATK-10-144

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 

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 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?to more than 500 

destinations. Amtrak also is the operator 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. 

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 Nov. 15 ? Nov. 23 and Nov. 30 ? Dec. 10

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

?

On Nov. 16 through Nov. 22 and Dec. 1 through Dec. 9, 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:

o

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

o

Train 300 will originate in Bloomington-Normal on Nov. 23 and Dec. 10. 

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

Springfield and Lincoln.

?

*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. The motorcoach stops only to discharge passengers.

Southbound Lincoln Service Trains 301, 303, 305 and 307

?

On Nov. 16 through Nov. 22 and Dec. 1 through Dec. 9, 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.

?

Train 307 Exception: Train 307 will terminate at Bloomington-Normal Nov. 

15 and Nov. 30 with alternate transportation provided to 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 Nov. 16 through Nov. 22 and Dec. 1 through Dec. 9, 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 Nov. 16 through Nov. 22 and Dec. 1 through Dec. 9, westbound Train 

21/321/421 will depart 30 minutes later from St. Louis, Poplar Bluff and 

Walnut Ridge and will operate according to the published schedule 

between Little Rock, San Antonio and intermediate stations.

Eastbound Texas Eagle Train 22/322/422

?

On Nov. 16 through Nov. 22 and Dec. 1 through Dec. 9, 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. 

The motorcoach stops only to discharge passengers.

?

On Nov. 16 through Nov. 22 and Dec. 1 through Dec. 9, 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 

1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) or speak with a ticket agent. Amtrak is 

a registered service mark of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation 

PSN 1010-14.