Chicago–Detroit Line
Encyclopedia
The Chicago–Detroit Line is a railroad corridor owned by Amtrak
which runs 98 miles (157.7 km) from Porter, Indiana
, to Kalamazoo, Michigan
. It is the longest stretch of Amtrak-owned rail outside of the Northeastern U.S., and carries the railroad's Blue Water and Wolverine services. In 2002, this became the first passenger rail line in the United States to have positive train control
(PTC) technology installed, specifically GE Transportation Systems
' Incremental Train Control System (ITCS). In 2005, Amtrak received approval from the Federal Railroad Administration
to run trains at up to 95 miles per hour (152.9 km/h) Most Amtrak trains outside of the Northeast are limited to 79 mph (127.1 km/h) due to federal regulations
. The line is currently being upgraded to handle speeds up to 110 miles per hour (177 km/h). In November, 2011, Michigan was awarded $150 million to expand its high speed rail line to allow speeds of up to 110 mph (177 km/h) along 77% of Amtrak's Wolverine and Blue Water services between Detroit and Chicago.
The route serves Amtrak stations in the cities of Michigan City
, Indiana
; New Buffalo
, Niles
, Dowagiac
, and Kalamazoo
, Michigan
.
The Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008
mandates that PTC must be installed across most of the U.S. rail network by 2015, so many other areas of the country should see similar improvements. However, higher speeds may also require upgrades to the track itself and to grade crossings.
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
which runs 98 miles (157.7 km) from Porter, Indiana
Porter, Indiana
Porter is a town in Westchester Township, Porter County, Indiana, United States. The population was 4,972 at the 2000 census.Porter is noted for its proximity to the Indiana Dunes State Park and for its railroad heritage...
, to Kalamazoo, Michigan
Kalamazoo, Michigan
The area on which the modern city stands was once home to Native Americans of the Hopewell culture, who migrated into the area sometime before the first millennium. Evidence of their early residency remains in the form of a small mound in downtown's Bronson Park. The Hopewell civilization began to...
. It is the longest stretch of Amtrak-owned rail outside of the Northeastern U.S., and carries the railroad's Blue Water and Wolverine services. In 2002, this became the first passenger rail line in the United States to have positive train control
Positive Train Control
Positive train control is a system of monitoring and controlling train movements to provide increased safety.-Overview:The main concept in PTC is that the train receives information about its location and where it is allowed to safely travel, also known as movement authorities...
(PTC) technology installed, specifically GE Transportation Systems
GE Transportation Systems
GE Transportation, formerly known as GE Rail, is a division of General Electric. The organization manufactures equipment for the railroad, marine, mining, drilling and energy generation industries. It is based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Locomotives are assembled at the Erie plant, while engine...
' Incremental Train Control System (ITCS). In 2005, Amtrak received approval from the Federal Railroad Administration
Federal Railroad Administration
The Federal Railroad Administration is an agency in the United States Department of Transportation. The agency was created by the Department of Transportation Act of 1966...
to run trains at up to 95 miles per hour (152.9 km/h) Most Amtrak trains outside of the Northeast are limited to 79 mph (127.1 km/h) due to federal regulations
Speed limits in the United States (rail)
Rail speed limits in the United States are regulated by the Federal Railroad Administration. Railroads also implement their own limits and enforce speed limits. Speed restrictions are based on a number of factors including curvature, signaling, track condition, the physical condition of a train,...
. The line is currently being upgraded to handle speeds up to 110 miles per hour (177 km/h). In November, 2011, Michigan was awarded $150 million to expand its high speed rail line to allow speeds of up to 110 mph (177 km/h) along 77% of Amtrak's Wolverine and Blue Water services between Detroit and Chicago.
The route serves Amtrak stations in the cities of Michigan City
Michigan City (Amtrak station)
Michigan City is a train station in Michigan City, Indiana served by Amtrak, the national railroad passenger system. Wolverine makes stops here three times—once on its way to Chicago and twice on the way to Pontiac. The current station is a platform shelter near the former station house, which is...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
; New Buffalo
New Buffalo (Amtrak station)
The New Buffalo Amtrak station is a train station in New Buffalo, Michigan, United States, served by Amtrak, the national railroad passenger system. The and stop here twice daily in each direction...
, Niles
Niles (Amtrak station)
Niles is a train station in Niles, Michigan, served by Amtrak, the national railroad passenger system.The Amtrak station is located along the main line east of the former Benton Harbor Branch crossing and west of the former junctions with the South Bend and Air Line Branches...
, Dowagiac
Dowagiac (Amtrak station)
Dowagiac is a train station in Dowagiac, Michigan, served by Amtrak, the national railroad passenger system. The station was built by the Michigan Central Railroad in 1903, and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993...
, and Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo Transportation Center
The Kalamazoo Transportation Center is an intermodal complex in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan. Amtrak and Greyhound provide regular service there...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
.
The Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008
Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008
The Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 is a United States federal law, enacted by Congress to improve railroad safety. It was signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 16, 2008. Among its provisions, the most notable was the mandate requiring positive train control on most of the US...
mandates that PTC must be installed across most of the U.S. rail network by 2015, so many other areas of the country should see similar improvements. However, higher speeds may also require upgrades to the track itself and to grade crossings.
See also
- Southwest ChiefSouthwest ChiefThe Southwest Chief is a passenger train operated by Amtrak on a 2256-mile BNSF route through the Midwestern and Southwestern United States. It runs from Chicago, Illinois, to Los Angeles, California, passing through Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and California...
– Another Amtrak route that runs at enhanced speeds. - Acela ExpressAcela ExpressThe Acela Express is Amtrak's high-speed rail service along the Northeast Corridor in the Northeast United States between Washington, D.C., and Boston via Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York...
- The Northeast Corridor's high speed service