Passenger Trains > What is The Current Status of Rockford, IL getting Amtrak ?

Is there a update of bringing Amtrak to Rockford, IL soon ?

TIA


Tom Hirsch 
Cherry Valley, Ca

Well, there’s a lot going on that suggests perhaps within the next couple of years, maybe sooner, that the train will finally run!
But, from one of my sources at UPRR, it looks like Metra will have the contract to run it, not Amtrak.

Amtrak isn't going to do it on its own dime. 

Somebody Else has to come up with the tax revenue to pay for all the costs, otherwise nothing
will happen and it will continue to be a pipe dream backed up by millions of pages of "studies."

GenePoon Wrote:
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> Amtrak isn't going to do it on its own dime. 
>
> Somebody Else has to come up with the tax revenue
> to pay for all the costs, otherwise nothing
> will happen and it will continue to be a pipe
> dream backed up by millions of pages of "studies."

That’s correct, Gene. My source at UPRR says it’s moving along much better than expected with someone in OMA directly assigned to planning the work of upgrading the old C&NW line and also working out station locations, etc..

IC_2024 Wrote:

> That’s correct, Gene. My source at UPRR says
> it’s moving along much better than expected with
> someone in OMA directly assigned to planning the
> work of upgrading the old C&NW line and also
> working out station locations, etc..


Good...and if Metra runs it, there will be something closer to direct local control.

Maybe they might have a stop/station at Union to ride to IRM?

Tom

I don't think it is that UP line.

That's great news, hope theycdo well once it starts!

Posted from Android

joemvcnj Wrote:
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> I don't think it is that UP line.

What old UP line would it be then?

Tom

joemvcnj Wrote:
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> I don't think it is that UP line.

Actually, it is.  The "Rebuild Illinois" capital plan includes $275 million to re-establish rail service to Rockford using the ex-C&NW line between Elgin and Rockford, with intermediate stops at Huntley and Belvidere.  The line passes through Union and Marengo, IL as well, though there's no mention of stops in either place in any of the Rebuild Illinois press materials.

On the trip to/from Rockford and downtown, what line would the service follow east of Elgin? 
Possibly switching onto the MILW west line at Big Timber east into CUS?

Wouldl this not be the old CGW line?

millerdc Wrote:
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> Wouldl this not be the old CGW line?

Most of the old CGW has been ripped up I believe

Posted from iPhone

millerdc Wrote:
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> Wouldl this not be the old CGW line?

No. The original Galena and Chicago Union line between Rockford and West Chicago.

Tom

Thus, if they use UP (former CNW tracks), I suppose they would come into the CNW station in downtown Chicago

There is no way Amtrak would enter the ex-C&NW station. 

Metra former Milwaukee to big timber west of Elgin, then a connection to former c & nw thu belvedere to Rockford. This service is not going to very fast. The line west of belvedere is now 10 mph. Bus service is very good and practical. Bob

Posted from Android

The C&NW line was a West Chicago - Freeport IL branch. I am sure that it has been a long time since it saw regular passenger service.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/19/20 09:34 by ts1457.

It would be a sad if there wasn't a stop at Union. At least making it a flag stop would be beneficial. I think more railfans would like to get there by train without driving in the Chicago area. I live in Northeast Indiana and I could take a rail trip there if there were enough connections in Chicago. But I'd probably bypass Amtrak and use the South Shore as my first train (more frequent and reliable).

Victor A. Baird
http://www.erstwhilepublications.com

wabash2800 Wrote:
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> It would be a sad if there wasn't a stop at Union.
> At least making it a flag stop would be
> beneficial. I think more railfans would like to
> get there by train without driving in the Chicago
> area. I live in Northeast Indiana and I could take
> a rail trip there if there were enough connections
> in Chicago. But I'd probably bypass Amtrak and use
> the South Shore as my first train (more frequent
> and reliable).

Adding stations is expensive with ADA regs. Same can be said for no stop at Leaman Place for the popular Strasburg RR, or at Kennebunkport for the Seashore Trolley Museum. I don't like driving, period, and I particularly don't like driving strange rental cars on unfamiliar roads. I haven't been to Strasburg since 1993, Seashore since 1986, nor IRM since 2007. Not worth it to me.