Plenty of Horne
Amtrak Rolls Out New Locomotives
And new branding. And connecting trains in Chicago have increased their speed.
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And new branding. And connecting trains in Chicago have increased their speed. Back to the full article.
Photos - Page 3
The locomotives are capable of 125mph operation, but the maximum speed that they will be operated at in the Midwest is 110mph. And the travel time on the Chicago-St. Louis trains has not yet been adjusted downward from 5:30.
Indeed, although geared to run at 125 mph, the new Charger locomotives are restricted to only 79 mph on this Hiawatha route.
Considering how the CNW “400s” operated at 90 mph on its own route between Chicago-Milwaukee thru the North Shore suburbs, including the crossing of many grade crossings, exactly what is the plan for Illinois, Wisconsin, and Amtrak to work with Canadian Pacific to improve the rail infrastructure of the “Hiawatha” to allow for faster schedules?
In respect to the growth of the Chicago and Milwaukee region into a megalopolis, where is the planning to enhance this regional rail corridor by providing intercity passenger service on the ex-CNW route between Chicago-Milwaukee, by serving Evanston, Wilmette, Waukegan, Kenosha, Racine and Mitchell Field? Such a service on the now Union Pacific would be popular for those required to fight heavy auto traffic west from those suburbs to I-94, just to be in a conga line of trucks to Milwaukee?
When Amtrak started in 1971, it’s Chicago-Milwaukee trains could have used either the CNW or the Milwaukee Road tracks, as each had regular passenger service up until then. While the CNW route went through more cities and would presumably attract more passengers, it would have required that Amtrak operate another station in Chicago, since the CNW tracks (UP today) cannot access Chicago Union Station.
To TransitRider: Exactly, quite true. However, much has changed and evolved since 1971. Just as California has successfully adopted the Joint Powers Authority concept to administrate and market intercity trains to inter-connect regions, so must the Midwest adapt to enhance mobility.
In Chicago, Ogilvie Depot is now accessible and across the street from Union Station. Just as with the “Hiawatha,” regional trains along the North Shore would also be bi-directional.
What is important is to acknowledge the parallel markets in this megalopolis and to directly serve them, instead of expecting customers to drive out of their way to the depot.
I like these spspecial benefits but they should offer $5 tickets to bring Chicogoans to the Milwaukee Ballet Nutcracker which is better than the Joffrey.
Where are the INTERIOR pictures ?
@Margaret Atherton – Good point!
J
P 2 and P3 have interior shots including me at the controls.