Originally posted by modelrailroader71 I have heard the UP operates a commutertrain somewhere in Illinois. Other commuter railroads are operated under the supervision of Amtrak, which is owned by the Federal railroad association. Am I correct? That is just what I have heard[B)] [/quote You are correct, the UP operates commuter trains in the Chicago area on at least two different lines, UP WEST, UP NORTH. These are the old C&NW lines. Amtrak does not technically operate commuter trains here but some people who live in the Milwaukee area take Amtrak's Hiawatha service trains to and from towns in WI such as Racine and Kenosha, which come into and out of Chicago several times daily. Eolafan (a.k.a. Jim) Reply dmoore74 Member sinceJanuary 2001 From: MA 562 posts Posted by dmoore74 on Thursday, November 25, 2004 7:44 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by modelrailroader71You are correct, the UP operates commuter trains in the Chicago area on at least two different lines, UP WEST, UP NORTH. These are the old C&NW lines. Amtrak does not technically operate commuter trains here but some people who live in the Milwaukee area take Amtrak's Hiawatha service trains to and from towns in WI such as Racine and Kenosha, which come into and out of Chicago several times daily. While not doing so in Chicago Amtrak does or previously has operated commuter systems as a contractor. Up until about 2 years ago Amtrak operated the MBTA (Boston area) commuter system. They have in the past and may currently operate some of the services in California. Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 25, 2004 12:18 PM Here in the lower mainland, we have the "West Coast Express." It's a commuter train that runs from Mission to Vancouver. It is run by Translink, which also runs the busses, skytrain, and seabus, and is subsidised by the government. The West Coast Express operations, however, run on CP trackage, and translink contracts CP crews. Reply Edit CSSHEGEWISCH Member sinceMarch 2016 From: Burbank IL (near Clearing) 13,480 posts Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Friday, November 26, 2004 7:58 AM Metra's operations in Chicago are a mix of purchase-of-service contracts with the freight operator and direct operation on either trackage rights or Metra-owned trackage. The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 26, 2004 10:30 AM In the Washington area Amtrak operates the MARC trains on the Penn line and CSX does under contract on the old B&O lines- (Camden and Brunswick) . On the Viginia side (VRS) its again CSX to Fredricksburg (RF&P) and Norfolk Southern , under contract, on the Manassas line ot the old Southern. Reply Edit BaltACD Member sinceMay 2003 From: US 24,940 posts Posted by BaltACD on Friday, November 26, 2004 12:10 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by ralphm In the Washington area Amtrak operates the MARC trains on the Penn line and CSX does under contract on the old B&O lines- (Camden and Brunswick) . On the Viginia side (VRS) its again CSX to Fredricksburg (RF&P) and Norfolk Southern , under contract, on the Manassas line ot the old Southern. In Virginia that is VRE....Virginia Rail Express....They contract with Amtrak for their crews and I believe do their own maintenance. CSX participates in the operation of both legs....Fredericksburg to DC and Manassas to DC. The NS operates the Manassas line from Manassas to AF interlocking in Alexandria where the NS and CSX connect. Never too old to have a happy childhood! Reply eolafan Member sinceDecember 2001 From: Aurora, IL 4,515 posts Posted by eolafan on Friday, November 26, 2004 3:54 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by dmoore74 QUOTE: Originally posted by modelrailroader71You are correct, the UP operates commuter trains in the Chicago area on at least two different lines, UP WEST, UP NORTH. These are the old C&NW lines. Amtrak does not technically operate commuter trains here but some people who live in the Milwaukee area take Amtrak's Hiawatha service trains to and from towns in WI such as Racine and Kenosha, which come into and out of Chicago several times daily. While not doing so in Chicago Amtrak does or previously has operated commuter systems as a contractor. Up until about 2 years ago Amtrak operated the MBTA (Boston area) commuter system. They have in the past and may currently operate some of the services in California. I have lived in the Chicago area for the past fourteen plus years this time, and for four years in the Seventies and early Eighties. I am not aware of any commuter rail line operated directly or under contract to METRA by Amtrak. Perhaps someone could confirm my understanding or enlighten me as to where this service might be or have been. Eolafan (a.k.a. Jim) Reply jeaton Member sinceSeptember 2002 From: Rockton, IL 4,821 posts Posted by jeaton on Friday, November 26, 2004 7:01 PM Jim-eolafan You are correct. Amtrak does not operate any of the Chicago commuter lines. They do own Chicago Union Station and at least some of the track in the station area, and so Metra pays Amtrak rent for the use of some of this "hardware". The Hiawatha service betwee Chicago and Milwaukee happens to be the shortest of the "intercity" Amtrak services, and is not considered a suburban commuter service. So here Amtrak operates out of its own station and some track, then operates over former Milwaukee Road trackage, some of which, I believe, is Metra owned trackage, and then the balance Canadian Pacific trackage. Going back to the original question, I think all of the comuter services in the U.S. now exist as public entities and to some extent or another recieve taxpayer support. Privately owned companies may provide some parts of the service under some kind of contract, several examples are mentioned in the posts, but again, I don't think there is any service totally owned and operated by any private entity. Jay "We have met the enemy and he is us." Pogo Possum "We have met the anemone... and he is Russ." Bucky Katt "Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future." Niels Bohr, Nobel laureate in physics Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 26, 2004 7:47 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by modelrailroader71 I have heard the UP operates a commutertrain somewhere in Illinois. Other commuter railroads are operated under the supervision of Amtrak, which is owned by the Federal railroad association. Am I correct? That is just what I have heard[B)] Not quite. The true name of Amtrak is the National Railroad Passenger Corporation a federal corporation owned by the Federal Government. I don't know anything about an organization called the "Federal railroad association". There is a Federal Railroad Administration which is a federal agency charged with regulating railroad safety in the U.S. It does not "own" Amtrak. There is also the Association of American Railroads (AAR) which is a trade association composed of the largest railroads (Class 1s), likewise the AAR does not "own" Amtrak. Also, Amtrak operates several different commuter railroads as I mentioned above. It does not "supervise" these operations. LC Reply Edit dmoore74 Member sinceJanuary 2001 From: MA 562 posts Posted by dmoore74 on Saturday, November 27, 2004 8:04 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by eolafan I have lived in the Chicago area for the past fourteen plus years this time, and for four years in the Seventies and early Eighties. I am not aware of any commuter rail line operated directly or under contract to METRA by Amtrak. Perhaps someone could confirm my understanding or enlighten me as to where this service might be or have been. At one time Amtrak did operate the former Pennsy service to Valparaiso, IN. Don't know if this was under contract with METRA or another "political" route. It did disappear several years ago during one of the budget crunches. Reply shrek623 Member sinceJune 2004 From: North central Illinois 120 posts Posted by shrek623 on Saturday, November 27, 2004 11:34 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by eolafan Originally posted by modelrailroader71 I have heard the UP operates a commutertrain somewhere in Illinois. Other commuter railroads are operated under the supervision of Amtrak, which is owned by the Federal railroad association. Am I correct? That is just what I have heard[B)] [/quote You are correct, the UP operates commuter trains in the Chicago area on at least two different lines, UP WEST, UP NORTH. These are the old C&NW lines. Amtrak does not technically operate commuter trains here but some people who live in the Milwaukee area take Amtrak's Hiawatha service trains to and from towns in WI such as Racine and Kenosha, which come into and out of Chicago several times daily. Same with the BNSF line from Union Station to Aurora, IL. It is METRA equipment with BNSF crews. I catch some suburban jobs off my extra board for BNSF. Shrek Reply Join our Community! Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account. Login » Register » Search the Community Newsletter Sign-Up By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy More great sites from Kalmbach Media Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy
QUOTE: Originally posted by modelrailroader71You are correct, the UP operates commuter trains in the Chicago area on at least two different lines, UP WEST, UP NORTH. These are the old C&NW lines. Amtrak does not technically operate commuter trains here but some people who live in the Milwaukee area take Amtrak's Hiawatha service trains to and from towns in WI such as Racine and Kenosha, which come into and out of Chicago several times daily.
QUOTE: Originally posted by ralphm In the Washington area Amtrak operates the MARC trains on the Penn line and CSX does under contract on the old B&O lines- (Camden and Brunswick) . On the Viginia side (VRS) its again CSX to Fredricksburg (RF&P) and Norfolk Southern , under contract, on the Manassas line ot the old Southern.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
QUOTE: Originally posted by dmoore74 QUOTE: Originally posted by modelrailroader71You are correct, the UP operates commuter trains in the Chicago area on at least two different lines, UP WEST, UP NORTH. These are the old C&NW lines. Amtrak does not technically operate commuter trains here but some people who live in the Milwaukee area take Amtrak's Hiawatha service trains to and from towns in WI such as Racine and Kenosha, which come into and out of Chicago several times daily. While not doing so in Chicago Amtrak does or previously has operated commuter systems as a contractor. Up until about 2 years ago Amtrak operated the MBTA (Boston area) commuter system. They have in the past and may currently operate some of the services in California.
"We have met the enemy and he is us." Pogo Possum "We have met the anemone... and he is Russ." Bucky Katt "Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future." Niels Bohr, Nobel laureate in physics
QUOTE: Originally posted by modelrailroader71 I have heard the UP operates a commutertrain somewhere in Illinois. Other commuter railroads are operated under the supervision of Amtrak, which is owned by the Federal railroad association. Am I correct? That is just what I have heard[B)]
QUOTE: Originally posted by eolafan I have lived in the Chicago area for the past fourteen plus years this time, and for four years in the Seventies and early Eighties. I am not aware of any commuter rail line operated directly or under contract to METRA by Amtrak. Perhaps someone could confirm my understanding or enlighten me as to where this service might be or have been.
QUOTE: Originally posted by eolafan Originally posted by modelrailroader71 I have heard the UP operates a commutertrain somewhere in Illinois. Other commuter railroads are operated under the supervision of Amtrak, which is owned by the Federal railroad association. Am I correct? That is just what I have heard[B)] [/quote You are correct, the UP operates commuter trains in the Chicago area on at least two different lines, UP WEST, UP NORTH. These are the old C&NW lines. Amtrak does not technically operate commuter trains here but some people who live in the Milwaukee area take Amtrak's Hiawatha service trains to and from towns in WI such as Racine and Kenosha, which come into and out of Chicago several times daily. Same with the BNSF line from Union Station to Aurora, IL. It is METRA equipment with BNSF crews. I catch some suburban jobs off my extra board for BNSF. Shrek Reply Join our Community! Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account. Login » Register » Search the Community Newsletter Sign-Up By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy More great sites from Kalmbach Media Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy
Originally posted by modelrailroader71 I have heard the UP operates a commutertrain somewhere in Illinois. Other commuter railroads are operated under the supervision of Amtrak, which is owned by the Federal railroad association. Am I correct? That is just what I have heard[B)] [/quote You are correct, the UP operates commuter trains in the Chicago area on at least two different lines, UP WEST, UP NORTH. These are the old C&NW lines. Amtrak does not technically operate commuter trains here but some people who live in the Milwaukee area take Amtrak's Hiawatha service trains to and from towns in WI such as Racine and Kenosha, which come into and out of Chicago several times daily.
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