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Amtrak's Current Routes

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  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Nanaimo BC Canada
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Amtrak's Current Routes
Posted by nanaimo73 on Friday, September 9, 2005 11:23 AM


This is a summary of the track used by Amtrak, and the ownership of that track. For information on traveling with Amtrak, please see their Website.

By my count the current Amtrak system consists of 21,157 route miles covering 46 States and 3 Canadian Provinces. An additional 610 miles between New Orleans and Jacksonville is not in service following the suspension of the Sunset Limited's east end. The current system is the smallest since Amtrak started on May 1, 1971, with 19,233 route miles. I am listing each route by current ownership, traditional ownership (in blue) and mileage by state.
A similar look at the Amtrak routes on May 1st, 1971 is at
Amtrak's Original Routes.
Since 1971, Amtrak has abandoned a total of 14,075 miles, and these are covered on
Amtrak's Abandoned Routes.
There is a very good article on Amtrak's history on Wikipedia.
Selected passenger trains on the eastern part of the network can be tracked live
on this website

Amtrak ridership in Fiscal Year 2007 increased to 25,847,531, marking the fifth straight year of gains and setting a record for the most passengers using Amtrak trains since the National Railroad Passenger Corporation started operations in 1971. This total, for the period October 1, 2006-September 30, 2007, topped the 24,306,965 for the previous 12 months and is greater than the passenger count of 25.03 million reached in 2004, before Amtrak transitioned some services to a commuter rail operator. More information can be found on this website.

The routes are covered in this order-
Western Long Distance Routes
1 -Coast Starlight Seattle to Los Angeles 1,389 miles
2 -Empire Builder Seattle to Chicago 2,206 miles
3 -Empire Builder, Portland section Portland to Spokane 378 miles
4 -California Zephyr Emeryville (Oakland) to Chicago 2,420 miles
5 -Southwest Chief Los Angeles to Chicago 2,253 miles
6 -Sunset Limited Los Angeles to New Orleans 1,991 miles
...-Suspended portion, New Orleans to Orlando, listed at # 40
7 -Texas Eagle Chicago to San Antonio 1,307 miles
Other Western Routes
8 -Heartland Flyer Fort Worth to Oklahoma City 209 miles
9 -Pacific Surfliners San Luis Obispo to San Diego 351 miles
10-San Joaquin Oakland to Bakersfield 315 miles
....................Sacramento to Bakersfield 281 miles
11-Capitol Corridor San Jose to Auburn 172 miles 
12-Amtrak Cascades Eugene to Vancouver B.C. 465 miles
Midwest Routes
13-Lincoln Service Chicago to St. Louis 282 miles 
14-Ann Rutledge, Kansas City Mule, St. Louis Mule
...-St. Louis to Kansas City 282 miles
15-Illinois Zephyr, Carl Sandberg Chicago to Quincy 258 miles
16-City of New Orleans Chicago to New Orleans 932 miles
...-Illini, Saluki Chicago to Carbondale 310 miles 
17-Hiawatha Chicago to Milwaukee 85 miles
18-Wolverine Chicago to Pontiac 303 miles
19-Blue Water Chicago to Port Huron 319 miles
20-Pere Marquette Chicago to Grand Rapids 177 miles
21-Hoosier State Chicago to Indianapolis 195 miles
Eastern Long Distance Routes
22-Lake Shore Limited Chicago to New York City 959 miles
23-Lake Shore Limited, Boston section Albany-Rensselaer to Boston 199 miles
24-Capitol Limited Chicago to Washington 780 miles
25-Cardinal Chicago to New York City 1,154 miles  
26-Pennsylvanian New York City to Pittsburgh 444 miles
...-Keystone Service New York City to Harrisburg 195 miles 
27-Crescent New York City to New Orleans 1,380 miles
28-Silver Meteor New York City to Miami 1,392 miles
29-Palmetto New York City to Savannah 829 miles
30-Silver Star New York City to Tampa and Miami 1,518 miles
31-Carolinian New York to Charlotte 702 miles
...-Piedmont Raleigh to Charlotte 172 miles 
32-Auto Train Lorton VA to Sanford FL 860 miles
Other Eastern Routes
33-Newport News service New York to Newport News 416 miles
34-Maple Leaf New York City to Toronto 544 miles
...-Empire Service New York City to Niagara Falls 460 miles 
35-Adirondack New York to Montreal 381 miles
36-Ethan Allen Express New York to Rutland 241 miles
37-Northeast Corridor Washington to Boston 457 miles
...-Regional, Acela and Metroliner 
38-Vermonter Washington to St.Albans 606 miles
39-Downeaster Boston to Portland 116 miles

Suspended Route
40-Sunset Limited New Orleans to Orlando 769 miles (August 28, 2005)
Recently Abandoned Routes
41-Three Rivers Chicago to New York 908 miles (March 7, 2005)
42-Silver Palm New York to Miami 1,458 miles (November 1, 2004)
43-International Chicago to Toronto 501 miles (April 23, 2004) 
44-Kentucky Cardinal Chicago to Louisville 312 miles (July 6, 2003)  
45-Lake Country Limited Chicago to Janesville 98 miles (September 22, 2001)

 

Western Long Distance Routes


1-Coast Starlight
   Seattle, WA to Los Angeles, CA 1,389 miles 
Current line ownership... Seattle, WA -186 miles BNSF- Portland, OR
   -1,202 Union Pacific- Mission Tower, CA -1 Metrolink- Los Angeles, CA
Traditional line ownership... Seattle, WA -176 Northern Pacific- Vancouver, WA
   -10 Spokane, Portland and Seattle- Portland, OR - 1 Union Pacific -
   -East Portland Junction -1,201 Southern Pacific-
Mission Tower, CA -
   -1 Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal-
 Los Angeles, CA
Station stops...Seattle WA, Tacoma WA, Lacey (Olympia) WA, Centralia WA,
   Kelso WA, Vancouver WA, Portland OR, Salem OR, Albany OR, Eugene OR,
   Chemult OR, Klamath Falls OR, Dunsmuir CA, Redding CA, Chico CA,
   Sacramento CA, Davis CA, Martinez CA, Emeryville CA, Oakland CA,
   San Jose CA, Salinas CA, Paso Robles CA, San Luis Obispo CA,
   Santa Barbara CA, Oxnard CA, Simi Valley CA, Van Nuys CA, Los Angeles CA
   More Station Photos
Mileage by State...Washington 177, Oregon 348, California 864.
Route Changes...Amtrak's Coast Starlight began on May 1, 1971 as a triweekly train
   joining Seattle with San Diego. The route used Burlington Northern trackage north
   of Portland Union Station and Southern Pacific between Portland and Los Angeles,
   and the ATSF south of LA to San Diego. During November 1971 frequency was
   increased and the Coast Starlight began daily service. The southern terminus was
   changed from San Diego to Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal during April 1972
   and on April 25, 1982 the route was changed between Tehama and Davis to serve
   Sacramento.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 343,542, up 3.5% from FY06 (331,939),
   which was down 10.8% from FY2005 (372,304).
Website    Photos   Wikipedia   Photos

 

2-Empire Builder
   Seattle, WA to Chicago, IL 2,206 miles
Current line ownership... Seattle, WA -1,788 BNSF- St. Anthony, MN
   -2 Minnesota Commercial- Merriam Park, MN -384 Canadian Pacific-
   -Rondout, IL -32 Metra- Chicago, IL
Traditional line ownership... Seattle, WA -316 Great Northern- Lyons, WA
   -8 Burlington Northern- Sunset Jct, WA -68 Northern Pacific- Sandpoint, ID
   -2 Burlington Northern- Boyer, ID -96 Great Northern- Riverview, MT
   -57 Burlington Northern- Stryker, MT -996 Great Northern- Moorhead, MN
   -177 Northern Pacific- St Cloud, MN -68 Great Northern- St. Anthony, MN
   -2 Minnesota Transfer- Merriam Park, MN -416 Milwaukee Road- Chicago, IL
Note-19 miles south of St. Paul between Division Street and St. Croix Tower
   also uses BNSF (ex CB&Q).
Station stops...Seattle WA, Edmonds WA, Everett WA, Wenatchee WA,
   Ephrata WA, Spokane WA, Sandpoint ID, Libby MT, Whitefish MT,
   West Glacier MT, Essex MT, East Glacier Park MT, Browning MT, Cut Bank MT,
   Shelby MT, Havre MT, Malta MT, Glasgow MT, Wolf Point MT, Williston ND,
   Stanley ND, Minot ND, Rugby ND, Devils Lake ND, Grand Forks ND, Fargo ND,
   Detroit Lakes MN, Staples MN, St. Cloud MN, St. Paul MN, Red Wing MN,
   Winona MN, La Crosse WS, Tomah WS, Wisconsin Dells WS, Portage WS,
   Columbus WS, Milwaukee WSGlenview IL, Chicago IL
   More Station Photos
Mileage by State...Washington 349, Idaho 102, Montana 668, North Dakota 424,
   Minnesota 380, Wisconsin 235, Illinois 48.
Route Changes...The Empire Builder was another original route. From Seattle it used
   the former NP route through Auburn and Pasco to Sandpoint, and from there the
   former Great Northern through Willmar to Minneapolis. The rest of the way to
   Chicago was on the CMSP&P. On February 28, 1978 the Empire Builder was routed
   over the Milwaukee Road and the Minnesota Transfer west of Division Street to
   serve the Midway Station rather than the GN Minneapolis Station. On October 2,
   1979 the route was changed between Minneapolis and Fargo to the ex NP Staples
   line from the ex GN Willmar line. Also during the late 1970s the Milwaukee Road
   was used for several months over Snoqualmie Pass. The fourth change was on
   October 27, 1981 when the train moved over to the ex GN line over Stevens Pass
   between Spokane and Seattle from the ex NP Stampede Pass line.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 504,977, up 1.6% from FY06 (497,030),
   which was up 4.3% from FY2005 (476,531).  
Website  Photos  Wikipedia   Photos

 

3-Empire Builder, Portland section
   Portland, OR to Spokane, WA 378 miles
Current line ownership... Portland, OR -378 BNSF- Spokane, WA
Traditional line ownership... Portland, OR -230 Spokane, Portland and Seattle-
   SP&S Jct, WA -148 Northern Pacific- Spokane, WA
Station stops...Portland OR, Vancouver WA, Bingen WA, Wishram WA,
   Pasco WASpokane WA
   More Station Photos
Mileage by State...Oregon 9, Washington 369.
Route Changes...This extension of the Empire Builder was added to the network on
   October 26, 1981, running on Burlington Northern trackage. Between Pasco and
   Spokane, both the former Northern Pacific and Spokane, Portland and Seattle lines
   were used until October 28, 1984 when traffic was concentrated on the NP line.
   Westbound trains still use 10 miles of ex SP&S west of Spokane from Latah Jct 
   to Lakeside Jct.
Website  Wikipedia   Photos

 

4-California Zephyr
   Emeryville (Oakland), CA to Chicago, IL 2,420 miles
Current line ownership... Emeryville, CA -1,383 Union Pacific- Denver, CO
   - 1,036 BNSF - Roosevelt Road, IL - 1 Amtrak - Chicago, IL
Traditional line ownership...Emeryville, CA - 415 Southern Pacific -
   -Weso (Winnemucca), NV-181 Southern Pacific (WB) or Western Pacific (EB)-
    -Alazon (Wells), NV - 198 Western Pacific - Smelter, UT
   -18 Western Pacific or Union Pacific - Salt Lake City, UT
   -571 Denver and Rio Grande Western - Denver, CO
   
-1,036 Chicago, Burlington and Quincy -Roosevelt Road, IL
   -1 Chicago Union Station- Chicago, IL
Station stops...Emeryville CA, Martinez CA, Davis CA, Sacramento CA,
   Roseville CA, Colfax CA, Truckee CA, Reno NV, Sparks NV, Winnemucca NV,
   Elko NV, Salt Lake City UT, Provo UT, Helper UT, Green River UT,
   Grand Junction CO, Glenwood Springs CO, Granby CO, Fraser CO, Denver CO,
   Fort Morgan CO, McCook NE, Holdrege NE, Hastings NE, Lincoln NE,
   Omaha NE, Creston IA, Osceola IA, Ottumwa IA, Mt. Pleasant IA,
   Burlington IA, Galesburg IL, Princeton IL, Naperville ILChicago IL
    More Station Photos

Mileage by State...California 224, Nevada 465, Utah 389, Colorado 477,
   Nebraska 387, Iowa 274, Illinois 204.
Route Changes...Amtrak's California Zephyr began operating as the San Francisco
   Zephyr on May 1, 1971. The 2,408 mile route between Oakland and Chicago used
   Southern Pacific west of Ogden, Union Pacific to Denver and Burlington Northern
   east of Denver. Between April 25, 1976 and April 25, 1982 the main route used
   was through Council Bluffs, rather than crossing the Missouri at Plattsmouth.
   On October 27, 1979 the San Francisco Zephyr stopped running into Cheyenne,
   using a line from Speer to Borie. The train was renamed the California Zephyr on
   April 24, 1983 and began running over the D&RGW between Denver and Ogden on
   July 15, 1983. The rise of the Great Salt Lake caused the CZ to be routed over the
   former Western Pacific from Salt Lake City to Alazon beginning on October 30, 1983.
   The western terminus has changed over the years, starting with the earthquake in
   1989 which damaged the 16th Street station. The Jack London Square Station
   opened in 1994, and then Emeryville became the most recent endpoint.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 329,840, down 1.7% from FY06 (335,443),
   which was down 3.6% from FY2005 (347,856). 
Website  Photos  Wikipedia   Photos

 

5-Southwest Chief
   Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL 2,253 miles
Current line ownership...Los Angeles, CA -4 Metrolink- Redondo Jct., CA
   -1,812 BNSF- Santa Fe Jct, KS -9 Kansas City Terminal- Sheffield Jct, MO
  
-26 Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe- CA Jct, MO -29 Norfolk and Western-
   -WB Jct, MO., MO-372 BNSF- Roosevelt Road, IL-1 Amtrak-Chicago, IL
Traditional line ownership...Los Angeles, CA-1 Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal-
   -Mission Tower, CA - 1,815 Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe -
   -Santa Fe Jct, KS - 9 Kansas City Terminal - Sheffield Jct, MO
   -26 Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe- CA Jct, MO -29 Norfolk and Western-
   -WB Jct, MO -201 Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe - Cameron, IL
   -171 Chicago, Burlington and Quincy - Roosevelt Road, IL
   -1 Chicago Union Station - Chicago, IL
Station stops...Los Angeles CA, Fullerton CA, Riverside CA, San Bernardino CA,
   Victorville CA, Barstow CA, Needles CA, Kingman AZ, Williams Junction AZ,
   Flagstaff AZ, Winslow AZ, Gallup NM, Albuquerque NM, Lamy NM,
   Las Vegas NMRaton NM, Trinidad CO, La Junta CO, Lamar CO, Garden City KS,
   Dodge City KS, Hutchinson KS, Newton KS, Topeka KS, Lawrence KS,
   Kansas City MO, La Plata MO, Fort Madison IA, Galesburg IL, Princeton IL,
   Mendota IL, Naperville IL, Chicago IL
    More Station Photos

Mileage by State...California 349, Arizona 386, New Mexico 430, Colorado 181,
   Kansas 470, Missouri 201, Iowa 20, Illinois 216.
Route Changes...Amtrak's Southwest Chief  began operating as the Super Chief on
   May 1, 1971. The then 2,222 mile route between Los Angeles and Chicago began
   on a route almost completely owned by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe. The
   first change for the Super Chief was actually a name change, becoming the
   Southwest Limited on May 19, 1974. The train then became the Southwest Chief
   on October 28, 1984. On October 1, 1979 the train started operating through
   Topeka, between Kansas City and Emporia. On January 14, 1994 the train was
   routed through Fullerton from the Pasadena line. The third change took place on
   August 1, 1996, moving over to the former BN between Chicago and Cameron,
   just west of Galesburg.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 316,668, up 5.4% from FY06 (300,416),
   which was up 1.7% from FY2005 (295,515). 
Website    Photos    Wikipedia   Photos

 

6-Sunset Limited
   Los Angeles, CA to New Orleans, LA 1,991 miles
Suspended portion, New Orleans, LA to Orlando, FL, listed below at # 40. 
Current line ownership...Los Angeles, CA -1 Metrolink- Mission Tower, CA
   -1,711 Union Pacific- Beaumont, TX -2 Kansas City Southern- Tower 31, TX
   -69 Union Pacific- Iowa Jct., LA - 196 BNSF - West Bridge Jct, LA
   -5 New Orleans Public Belt- East Bridge Jct, LA - 2 Canadian National -
   -Southport Jct, LA - 1 Kansas City Southern - KCS Jct, LA
   -4 New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal-  New Orleans, LA 
Traditional line ownership...Los Angeles, CA-1 L. A. Union Passenger Terminal-
   -Mission Tower, CA - 1,710 Southern Pacific - Beaumont, TX
   -1 Missouri Pacific - Mill Street, TX -2 Kansas City Southern- Tower 31, TX
   -265 Southern Pacific- West Bridge Jct, LA -5 New Orleans Public Belt-
   -East Bridge Jct, LA -2 Illinois Central- Southport Jct, LA
  
-1 Kansas City Southern- KCS Jct, LA-4 New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal-
   -New Orleans, LA  
Since November 2, 2005, the eastbound Sunset Limited has used 81 miles of Union
   Pacific (ex Missouri Pacific) between Houston, TX and Brownsville, TX. The
   westbound Sunsets remain on the former Southern Pacific line. 
Station stops...Los Angeles CA, Pomona CA, Ontario CA, North Palm Springs CA,
   Yuma AZ, Maricopa AZ, Tucson AZ, Benson AZ, Lordsburg NM, Deming NM,
   El Paso TX, Alpine TX, Sanderson TX, Del Rio TX, San Antonio TX, Houston TX,
   Beaumont TX, Lake Charles LA, Lafayette LA, New Iberia LA, Schriever LA,
   New Orleans LA
    More Station Photos
   
Mileage by State...California 253, Arizona 388, New Mexico 170, Texas 933,
   Louisiana 247   
Route changes...The Sunset Limited made its debut as a 2,033 mile train linking
   Los Angeles with New Orleans on May 1, 1971, and was extended east to Miami
   on April 4, 1993. On June 3, 1996 the Sunset Limited stopped serving Phoenix and
   began running on the freight route to the south. The eastern terminus was cut
   back to Sanford during 1997 and then extended to Orlando during 1998. Due to
   Hurricane Katrina, the Sunset has been suspended east of New Orleans since
   August 28, 2005.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 63,336, up 22.1% from FY06 (51,860),
   which was down 36.2% from FY2005 (81,348).   
Website    Photos    Wikipedia    Photos

 

7-Texas Eagle
   Chicago, IL to San Antonio, TX 1,307 miles (connects on to Los Angeles)
Current line ownership...Chicago, IL - 2 Amtrak - 21st Street, IL
   -35 Canadian National- Joliet, IL - 215 Union Pacific - Godfrey, IL -
   -9 joint UP/KCS- Wann, IL -14 joint UP/KCS/NS- WR Tower, IL -
   -9 Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis- Grand Ave, MO -737 Union Pacific-
   -Fort Worth, TX -129 BNSF- Temple, TX -157 Union Pacific- San Antonio, TX
Traditional line ownership...Chicago, IL -2 Chicago Union Station- 21st Street, IL
  
-259 Gulf, Mobile and Ohio - Wann,IL - 14 joint GM&O/NYC- WR Tower, IL -
   -9 Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis - Grand Ave, MO
  
 -701 Missouri Pacific- MP Jct, TX -5 Southern Pacific- Tower 19, TX
   -
31 Missouri Pacific- Fort Worth, TX -129 Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe-
   -Temple, TX -40 Missouri Kansas Texas- Taylor, TX -115 Missouri Pacific-
   -San Antonio, TX -2 Southern Pacific- San Antonio
South of Joliet to Pequot Amtrak can use 18 miles of BNSF (ATSF).
Station stops...Chicago IL, Joliet IL, Pontiac IL, Normal IL, Lincoln IL,
   Springfield IL, Alton IL, St. Louis MO, Poplar Bluff MO, Walnut Ridge AR,
   Little Rock AR, Malvern AR, Arkadelphia AR, Texarkana AR, Marshall TX,
   Longview TX, Mineola TX, Dallas TX, Fort Worth TX, Cleburne TX,
   McGregor TX, Temple TX, Taylor TX, Austin TX, San Marcos TX,
   San Antonio TX
    More Station Photos

Mileage by State...Illinois 278, Missouri 193, Arkansas 305, Texas 531.
Route Changes...When Amtrak began, it was the with the Texas Chief running
   between Chicago and Texas. That train operated between Chicago and Houston
   on a 1,368 mile route using the Santa Fe through Kansas City and Fort Worth.
   The Texas Chief was renamed the Lone Star on May 15, 1974. The Lone Star
   ended service south of Fort Worth on October 1, 1979 and the rest of the train
   ended on October 8, 1979. On January 28, 1973 Amtrak began an extension of
   the Texas Chief south of Fort Worth to Laredo, named the Inter-American.
   This train left the Texas Chief route at Milano and served San Antonio. The
   Inter-American was extended north to Chicago, through Little Rock and St. Louis,
   on March 13, 1974. A small change occurred in Texas when the train began using
   MKT rails between Temple and Taylor, on October 26, 1975. On October 2, 1981
   the train was renamed the Eagle, and then to the Texas Eagle on January 20, 1990.
   Service to Houston was provided by a section of the Eagle from Dallas, which began
   on November 15, 1988, and ended on September 10, 1995. From May 22, 2000 until
   February 28, 2001 the westbound Texas Eagle used the former Southern Pacific line
   between Texarkana and Big Sandy, TX, through Mt. Pleasant.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 218,321, down 6.2% from FY06 (232,654),
   which was down 2.8% from FY2005 (239,276).    
Website    Photos    Wikipedia    Photos

 

Other Western Routes

8-Heartland Flyer
   Fort Worth, TX to Oklahoma City, OK 209 miles
Current line ownership...Fort Worth, TX-209 BNSF-Oklahoma City, OK
Traditional line ownership...Fort Worth, TX -209 Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe-
   -Oklahoma City, OK
Station stops...Fort Worth TX, Gainesville TX, Ardmore OK, Pauls Valley OK,
   Purcell OK, Norman OKOklahoma City OK
   More Station Photos
Mileage by State...Texas 75, Oklahoma 134.
Route Changes...Oklahoma once again became an Amtrak State when this train
   entered service on June 15, 1999. The Sooner State's last service was by the
   Lone Star, which ended on October 8, 1979. The Heartland Flyer operates on
   the former ATSF line that was used by the Lone Star.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 68,246, up 6.5% from FY06 (64,078),
   which was down 4.3% from FY2005 (66,968).  
Website    Photos    Wikipedia    Photos

 

9-Pacific Surfliners
   San Luis Obispo, CA to San Diego, CA 351 miles
Current line ownership...San Luis Obispo, CA-222 Union Pacific-Los Angeles, CA
   -4 Metrolink- Redondo Jct, CA - 22 BNSF - Fullerton, CA - 41 Metrolink -
   -San Clemente, CA - 62 San Diego Northern - San Diego, CA
Traditional line ownership...San Luis Obispo, CA - 222 Southern Pacific -
   -Los Angeles, CA - 1 Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal -
   -Mission Tower, CA - 128 Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe -
   -
San Diego, CA
Station stops... San Luis Obispo CA, Grover Beach CA,
   Guadalupe CA, Surf CA, Goleta CA, Santa Barbara CA, Carpenteria CA,
   Ventura CA, Oxnard CA, Camarillo CA, Moorpark CA, Simi Valley CA,
   Chatsworth CA, Van Nuys CA, Burbank CA, Glendale CA, Los Angeles CA,
   Fullerton CA, Anaheim CA, Orange CASanta Ana CA, Irvine CA,
   Laguna Niguel, San Juan Capistrano CA, San Clemente CA, Oceanside CA,
   Solana Beach CA, San Diego (Old Town) CASan Diego CA
   More Station Photos
Mileage by State...California 351.
Route Changes...Amtrak service between Los Angeles and San Diego on May 1, 1971
   consisted of the Coast Starlight and two pairs of local trains, called San Diegians.
   A third pair was added when the Starlight stopped running south of LA April 1972.
   The frequency has increased over the years and some of the runs were extended
   north to Santa Barbara and then San Luis Obispo using Southern Pacific's Coast
   Line. During the spring of 2000 the San Diegans were renamed the Pacific Surfliners.
   The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe sold their line south of Fullerton to Government
   agencies at the end of 1992.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 2,707,188, up 1.9% from FY06 (2,657,773),
   which was up 5.4% from FY2005 (2,520,444). 
Website    Photos    Wikipedia

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10-San Joaquin
   Oakland, CA to Bakersfield, CA 315 miles
Current line ownership...Oakland, CA -39 Union Pacific- Port Chicago, CA
   -276 BNSF- Bakersfield, CA
Traditional line ownership...Oakland, CA - 39 Southern Pacific -
   -Port Chicago, CA -276 Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe- Bakersfield, CA 
Station stops...Oakland CA, Emeryville CA, Richmond CA, Martinez CA,
   Antioch CA, Stockton CA, Modesto CA, Denair CA, Merced CA, Madera CA,
   Fresno CA, Hanford CA, Corcoran CA, Wasco CA, Bakersfield CA
    More Station Photos

Sacramento, CA to Bakersfield, CA 281 miles
Current line ownership...Sacramento, CA -48 Union Pacific- Stockton, CA
   -233 BNSF-Bakersfield, CA
Traditional line ownership...Sacramento, CA -Southern Pacific- Stockton, CA
  
-233 Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe- Bakersfield, CA 
Station stops...Sacramento CA, Lodi CA, Stockton CA, Modesto CA, Denair CA,
   Merced CA, Madera CA, Fresno CA, Hanford CA, Corcoran CA, Wasco CA,
   Bakersfield CA
    More Station Photos
  
Mileage by State...California 363.
Route Changes...Service from the Bay Area to Bakersfield began on March 5, 1974,
   and the number of trains running has steadily increased. Sacramento to Bakersfield
   service was added on February 21, 1999.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 804,785, up 0.6% from FY06 (799,879),
   which was up 5.8% from FY2005 (755,851).  
Website    Photos    Wikipedia

 

11-Capitol Corridor 
   San Jose, CA to Auburn, CA 172 miles
Current line ownership...San Jose, CA -172 Union Pacific- Auburn, CA
Traditional line ownership...San Jose, CA -172 Southern Pacific- Auburn, CA  
Station stops...San Jose CA, Santa Clara CA, Fremont CA, Hayward CA,
   Oakland Coliseum CA, Oakland CA, Emeryville CA, Berkeley CA, Richmond CA,
   Martinez CA, Suisun-Fairfield CA, Davis CA, Sacramento CA, Roseville CA,
   Rocklin CA, Auburn CA
   More Station Photos 
Mileage by State...California 172.
Route Changes...The first Capitol ran on December 11, 1991, pulled by P32BWH 501.
   Regular service with 3 daily round trips between Sacramento and San Jose began
   on December 12. Frequency has increased over the years, and now reaches 16
   round trips on weekdays.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 1,450,069, up 14.8% from FY06 (1,263,504),
   which was up 0.3% from FY2005 (1,260,249).  
Website    Photos    Wikipedia

 

12-Amtrak Cascades 
   Eugene OR to Vancouver, BC 465 miles
Current line ownership...Eugene, OR -124 Union Pacific- Portland, OR
   -340 BNSF- Vancouver, BC -1 Canadian National- Vancouver, BC
Traditional line ownership...Eugene, OR -124 Southern Pacific- Portland, OR
   -10 Spokane, Portland and Seattle- Vancouver, WA -176 Northern Pacific-
   -Seattle, WA -154 Great Northern- Vancouver, BC -1 Canadian National-
   -Vancouver, BC
Station stops...Eugene OR, Albany OR, Salem OR, Oregon City OR, Portland OR,
   Vancouver WA, Kelso WA, Centralia WA, Lacey (Olympia) WA, Tacoma WA,
   Tukwila WA, Seattle WA, Edmonds WA, Everett WA, Mount Vernon WA,
   Bellingham WA, Vancouver BC
    More Station Photos

Mileage by State or Province...Oregon 133, Washington 296, British Columbia 36.
Route Changes...Amtrak initiated service between Seattle and Vancouver, BC,
   on July 17, 1972, with the Pacific International. Almost 10 years later, on
   September 30, 1981, the train was discontinued. May 26, 1995, saw a resumption
   of service under the name Mt. Baker International. Equipping this lane with Talgo
   trainsets caused Amtrak to rebrand this service as Amtrak Cascades.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 674,153, up 7.4% from FY06 (627,664),
   which was up 0.7% from FY2005 (623,255). 
Website    Photos    Wikipedia

 

Midwest Routes

13-Lincoln Service
  
 Chicago to St. Louis 282 miles
Current line ownership...Chicago, IL - 2 Amtrak - 21st Street, IL-
  
-35 Canadian National - Joliet, IL - 215 Union Pacific - Godfrey, IL -
   -9 joint UP/KCS- Wann, IL -14 joint UP/KCS/NS- WR Tower, IL-
  
-7 Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis - St. Louis, MO 
Traditional line ownership...Chicago, IL-2 Chicago Union Station-21st Street, IL
  
 -259 Gulf, Mobile and Ohio - Wann,IL - 14 joint GM&O/NYC - WR Tower, IL-
  
 -7 TRRA - St. Louis, MO
South of Joliet, IL to Pequot, IL Amtrak can use 18 miles of BNSF (ATSF).
Station stops...Chicago IL, Summit IL, Joliet IL, Dwight IL, Pontiac IL, Normal IL,
   Lincoln IL, Springfield IL, Carlinville IL, Alton IL, St. Louis MO
    More Station Photos

Mileage by State...Illinois 278, Missouri 286.
Route Changes...As of May 1, 1971, Amtrak service on this route was with the
   Abraham Lincoln and The Limited between Chicago and St. Louis, and the
   National Limited between St. Louis and Kansas City. On October 14, 1971 the
   Chicago-St. Louis trains were extended north to Milwaukee, although this did not
   last long. Service using St. Louis Union Station ended in 1978. On October 1, 1979
   the National Limited, running between the East Coast and Kansas City, was
   abolished. To replace it, a Chicago to St. Louis train was extended to Kansas City,
   and given the name Ann Rutledge. Amtrak renamed their trains between Chicago
   and St. Louis Linclon Service during April 2007. Most of these trains now use
   MacArthur bridge when crossing the Mississippi River rather than Merchants bridge.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership between Chicago and St. Louis was 408,807, up 55.8%
   from FY06 (262,320), which was up 8.3% from FY2005 (242,144).
Website     Photos    Wikipedia

 

14-Ann Rutledge, Kansas City Mule, St. Louis Mule
   St. Louis, MO to Kansas City, MO 282 miles
Current line ownership...St. Louis, MO-2 Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis
   -Grand Ave., MO - 274 Union Pacific - Rock Creek Jct., MO -
  
-6 Kansas City Terminal - Kansas City, MO
Traditional line ownership...St. Louis, MO - 2 TRRA - Grand Ave., MO -
   -274 Missouri Pacific-
Rock Creek Jct., MO -6 Kansas City Terminal-
   -
Kansas City, MO
Station stops...St. Louis MO, Kirkwood MO, Washington MO, Herman MO,
   Jefferson City MO, Sedalia MOWarrensburg MO, Lees Summit MO,
   Independence MOKansas City MO
    More Station Photos

Mileage by State...Missouri 282.
Route Changes...Initial service between Kansas City and St. Louis was with the
   National Limited. When it was abolished on October 1, 1979, the Ann Rutledge
   began operating between Chicago and Kansas City, through St. Louis. The Kansas
   City and St. Louis Mules were added during 1984, thanks to funding from Missouri.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership between St. Louis and Kansas City was 116,517, down
   2.3% from FY06 (119,257), which was down 12.8% from FY2005 (136,701).
Ann Rurledge    Website     Photos     Wikipedia     Photos
KC, StL Mules   Website    Photos    Wikipedia    Photos

 

15-Illinois Zephyr, Carl Sandberg 
   Chicago, IL to Quincy, IL 258 miles
Current line ownership...Chicago, IL -1 Amtrak- Roosevelt Road, IL -257 BNSF-
   -Quincy, IL
Traditional line ownership...Chicago, IL-1 Chicago Union Station-Roosevelt Road, IL
  
-257 Chicago, Burlington and Quincy-Quincy, IL
Station stops...Chicago IL, La Grange Road IL, Naperville IL, Plano IL,
   Mendota IL, Princeton IL, Kewanee IL, Galesburg IL, Macomb IL, Quincy IL
    More Station Photos

Mileage by State...Illinois 258.
Route Changes...On November 14, 1971, the State supported Illinois Zephyr began
   operating between Chicago and West Quincy, MO, over Burlington Northern' track.
   The train was cut back, probably during 1995, to its current western end at
   Quincy, Illinois. The Carl Sandberg was added to the route during October 2006.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 169,258, up 41.4% from FY06 (119,719),
   which was up 1.0% from FY2005 (118,493).  
Website    Photos    Wikipedia

 

16-City of New Orleans
   Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA 932 miles
16-Illini, Saluki
Chicago to Carbondale 310 miles 
Current line ownership...Chicago, IL - 1 Amtrak - Roosevelt Road, IL-
   -927 Canadian National- Southport Jct, LA -1 Kansas City Southern-
   -KCS Jct, LA -3 New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal- New Orleans, LA
Traditional line ownership...Chicago, IL - 1 Chicago Union Station -
   -Roosevelt Road, IL - 927 Illinois Central - Southport Jct, LA -
   -1 Kansas City Southern -
KCS Jct, LA - 3 NOUPT - New Orleans, LA
Station stops...Chicago IL, Homewood IL, Kankakee IL, Champaign IL,
   Mattoon IL,  Effingham IL, Centralia IL, Carbondale IL, Fulton KY,
   Newbern TN, Memphis TN, Greenwood MS, Yazoo City MS, Jackson MS,
   Hazlehurst MS, Brookhaven MS, McComb MS, Hammond LANew Orleans LA
   More Station Photos 
   Additional Illini and Saluki Stations...Gilman, Rantoul, Du Quoin 
Mileage by State...Illinois 362, Kentucky 43, Tennessee 134, Mississippi 305,
   Louisiana 88.
Route Changes...The City of New Orleans was operated by Amtrak from May 1, 1971
   until renamed the Panama Limited on November 14, 1971. The Panama Limited
   name lasted almost 10 years, and then switched back to The City of New Orleans
   on February 1, 1981. Chicago Central Station was used until March 6, 1972 when
   the train's northern terminal was switched to Union Station, joining Amtrak's other
   trains in the Windy City. On September 10, 1995 the route was changed south of
   Memphis to Jackson through Yazoo City, which was Illinois Central's mainline.
City of New Orleans FY 2007 ridership was 180,473, up 3.0% from FY06 (175,237),
   which was down 4.4% from FY05 (183,237).
Illini/Saluki FY 2007 ridership was 228,695, up 67.4% from FY06 (136,640),
   which was up 6.9% from FY2005 (127,808). 
City of New Orleans  Website    Photos    Wikipedia
Illini/Saluki              Website    Photos    Wikipedia

 

17-Hiawatha
   Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI 85 miles
Current line ownership...Chicago, IL-32 Metra-Rondout, IL-53 Canadian Pacific
   -Milwaukee, WI
Traditional line ownership...Chicago, IL-85 Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific
   -
Milwaukee, WI
Station stops...Chicago ILGlenview IL, Sturtevant WI,
   Milwaukee-Mitchell Airport WI, Milwaukee WS
   More Station Photos  
Mileage by State...Illinois 48, Wisconsin 37.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 595,336, up 2.6% from FY06 (580,333),
   which was up 10.5% from FY2005 (525,239).  
Website    Photos    Wikipedia

 

18-Wolverine
   Chicago, IL to Pontiac, MI 303 miles
Current line ownership...Chicago, IL - 2 Amtrak - 21st Street, IL -
  
-38 Norfolk Southern - Porter, IN - 98 Amtrak - Kalamazoo, MI -
   -135 Norfolk Southern- Townline, MI -4 Amtrak- CP West Detroit, MI-
   -1 Conrail- Vinewood, MI -25 Canadian National- Pontiac, MI
Traditional line ownership...Chicago, IL-2 Chicago Union Station-21st Street, IL
  
-14 Pennsylvania - Lake, IN - 262 New York Central - Vinewood, MI -
   -25 Grand Trunk Western -
Pontiac, MI
Station stops...Chicago IL, Hammond-Whiting IN, Michigan City IN, Niles MI,
   Dowagiac MI, Kalamazoo MI, Battle Creek MI, Albion MI, Jackson MI,
   Ann Arbor MI, Dearborn MI, Detroit MI, Royal Oak MI, Birmingham MI,
   Pontiac MI
   More Station Photos  
Mileage by State...Illinois 14, Indiana 45, Michigan 244.
Route Changes...Amtrak's Chicago to Detroit service began on May 1, 1971 running
   on Penn Central's former New York Central line. The middle portion, between Porter
   IN, and Kalamazoo, MI, was not wanted by Conrail and was acquired by Amtrak
   during 1976. The New York to Buffalo Empire State Express was extended across
   Ontario to Detroit on October 31, 1974, intiating through service. The ESE was
   renamed the Niagara Rainbow later but was abolished on April 28, 1979. On
   August 3, 1980 the Chicago to Detroit St. Clair was renamed the Lake Cities and
   was extended to Toledo from Detroit, which ran until April 1, 1995. Amtrak used
   the former Michigan Central Station in Detroit until Jan 5, 1988. The Wolverine and
   the Twilight Limited were extended from Detroit north to Pontiac, MI, on May 4,
   1994, as was the Lake Cities on April 5, 1995.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 449,107, up 2.4% from FY06 (438,529),
   which was up 7.9% from FY2005 (406,499). 
Website    Photos    Wikipedia

 

19-Blue Water
  Chicago, IL to Port Huron, MI 319 miles
Current line ownership...Chicago, IL - 2 Amtrak - 21st Street, IL -
   -38 Norfolk Southern - Porter, IN - 98 Amtrak - Kalamazoo, MI -
   -22 Norfolk Southern-Battle Creek, MI-159 Canadian National-Port Huron, MI
Traditional line ownership...Chicago, IL -2 Chicago Union Station-21st Street, IL-
   -14 Pennsylvania -
Lake, IN - 144 New York Central - Battle Creek, MI -
   -159 Grand Trunk Western -
Port Huron, MI
Station stops...Chicago IL, Niles MI, Dowagiac MI, Kalamazoo MI,
   Battle Creek MI, East Lansing MI, Durand MI, Flint MI, Lapeer MI,
   Port Huron MI
    More Station Photos

Mileage by State...Illinois 14, Indiana 45, Michigan 260.
Route Changes...The Blue Water Limited was initiated by Amtrak on September 15,
   1974, running between Chicago and Port Huron, MI. The route was the same as
   the Wolverine from Chicago, using the Penn Central Railroad as far as Battle Creek,
   MI, from where Grand Trunk Western was used for the remainder of the trip across
   Michigan. The portion of the route between Porter, IN, and Kalamazoo, MI, was
   sold to Amtrak during 1976. The Blue Water Limited was renamed the International
   on October 31, 1982 when it was extended east to Toronto, Ontario. The
   International lasted until April 23, 2004, when the Blue Water returned as a
   Chicago to Port Huron train.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 127,642, up 3.1% from FY06 (123,823),
   which was up 10.9% from FY2005 (111,630). 
Website    Photos    Wikipedia

 

20-Pere Marquette
   Chicago, IL to Grand Rapids, MI 177 miles
Current line ownership...Chicago, IL - 2 Amtrak - 21st Street, IL -
   -38 Norfolk Southern- Porter, IN -137 CSX- Grand Rapids, MI
Traditional line ownership...Chicago, IL -2 Chicago Union Station -
   -
21st Street, IL - 14 Pennsylvania- Lake, IN -24 New York Central -
   -
Porter, IN - 137 Chesapeake and Ohio - Grand Rapids, MI
Station stops...Chicago IL, New Buffalo MI, St. Joseph MI, Bangor MI,
   Holland MI, Grand Rapids MI
   More Station Photos
Mileage by State...Illinois 14, Indiana 46, Michigan 117.
Route Changes...On August 4, 1984, Amtrak's Pere Marquette began running
   between Chicago and Grand Rapids, Michigan. East of Porter, IN, the trackage
   used belongs to CSX, originally part of the Pere Marquette Railroad.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 104,819, up 2.8% from FY06 (101,932),
   which was up 5.7% from FY2005 (96,471).  
Website    Photos    Wikipedia

 

21-Hoosier State
   Chicago to Indianapolis, 195 miles 
Current line ownership...Chicago, IL -2 Amtrak- 21st Street, IL -6 Metra-
   -74th Street, IL - 1 Norfolk Southern - 81st Street, IL -
   -1 Belt Railway of Chicago-83rd Street, IL-11 Union Pacific-Thornton Jct., IL
   
-6 Canadian National- Maynard, IN -168 CSX- Indianapolis, IN 
Traditional line ownership...Chicago, IL-2 Chicago Union Station-21st Street, IL
  
-15 Chicago and Western Indiana- Dolton, IL -4 Chicago and Eastern Illinois-
   -Thornton Jct., IL - 6 Grand Trunk Western - Maynard, IN -
   -121 Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville (Monon)-
Crawfordsville, IN -
   -34 New York Central-
Clermont, IN -13 Pennsylvania- Indianapolis, IN 
Station stops...Chicago IL, Dyer IN, Rensselaer IN, Lafayette IN,
   Crawfordsville IN, Indianapolis IN
    More Station Photos
  
Mileage by State...Illinois 26, Indiana 169
Route Changes...The first run of the Hoosier State between Chicago and Indianapolis
   was on October 1, 1980. It was replaced by the Kentucky Cardinal from
   December 18, 1999 until July 4, 2003, which was an extended version of the
   Hoosier State southward from Indianapolis to Louisville. The Hoosier State returned
   on July 6, 2003.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 26,347, up 31.1% from FY06 (20,096),
   which was down 0.5% from FY2005 (20,191).   
Website    Photos    Wikipedia

 

Eastern Long Distance Routes

22-Lake Shore Limited
   Chicago, IL to New York City, NY 959 miles
Current line ownership...
Chicago, IL - 2 Amtrak - 21st Street, IL -
   -339 Norfolk Southern - Cleveland, OH - 455 CSX - Hoffmans, NY -
   -8 Amtrak-Carmen Jct., NY-82 CSX-Poughkeepsie, NY-62 Metro North-
   -Spuyten Duyvil, NY - 11 Amtrak - New York, NY
Traditional line ownership...Chicago, IL-2 Chicago Union Station-21st Street, IL-
   -14 Pennsylvania-
Lake, IN-940 New York Central-West Side Connection, NY-
   -3 Amtrak -
New York, NY 
Station stops...Chicago IL, South Bend IN, Elkhart INWaterloo IN,
   Bryan OH, Toledo OH, Sandusky OH, Elyria OH, Cleveland OH, Erie PA,
   Depew-Buffalo NY, Rochester NY, Syracuse NY, Utica NY, Schenectady NY,
   Albany Rensselaer NY, Croton-on-Hudson NY, New York NY
   More Station Photos
Mileage by State...Illinois 14, Indiana 155, Ohio 243, Pennsylvania 43,
   New York 504
Route Changes...On May 1, 1971 Amtrak was running on the former
   New York Central Water Level Route from New York Grand Central Station
   only as far as Buffalo, 436 miles. Passengers riding between New York and
   Chicago were handled with the Broadway Limited, through Philadelphia and
   Pittsburgh. The Lake Shore began on May 10th, extending this service to
   Chicago. Due to funding difficulties, the Lake Shore was discontinued on
   January 6, 1972. The route was brought back on October 31, 1975, this time
   under the name Lake Shore Limited. This new Lake Shore Limited also included
   a Boston section running east from Albany. On April 7, 1991, Amtrak opened
   the West Side connection, and the Lake Shore Limited moved from
   Grand Central Station in New York to Penn Station.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 312,643, down 3.4% from FY06 (323,480),
   which was up 3.4% from FY2005 (312,779).  
Website    Photos    Wikipedia 

 

23-Lake Shore Limited, Boston section
   Albany-Rensselaer, NY to Boston, MA 199 miles
Current line ownership...Albany, NY-12 Amtrak-Post Road, NY-166 CSX-
   -Framingham, MA -20 MBTA- Back Bay, MA -1 Amtrak- Boston, MA
Traditional line ownership...Albany, NY -198 New York Central- Back Bay, MA-
   -1 New York, New Haven and Hartford-
Boston, MA 
Station stops...Chicago IL, South Bend IN, Elkhart INWaterloo IN,
   Bryan OH, Toledo OH, Sandusky OH, Elyria OH, Cleveland OH, Erie PA,
   Depew-Buffalo NY, Rochester NY, Syracuse NY, Utica NY, Schenectady NY,
   Albany Rensselaer NY, Pittsfield MA, Springfield MA, Worcester MA,
   Framingham MA, Boston-Back Bay MA, Boston MA
   More Station Photos
Mileage by State...New York 38, Massachusetts 161
Route Changes...The Lake Shore Limited began running between New York and
   Chicago on October 25, 1975. At the same time, a Boston section between
   Boston and the junction at Albany / Rensselaer, NY, began operating. Amtrak
   purchased the Penn Central line between Rensselaer and Post Road, NY, and
   rebuilt it for this train. This allowed the Boston section to bypass Castleton
   Junction, NY, starting on October 28, 1979. 
Website    Wikipedia

 

24-Capitol Limited
   Chicago, IL to Washington, DC 780 miles
Current line ownership...Chicago, IL - 2 Amtrak - 21st Street, IL -
   -480 Norfolk Southern - CP Bloom, PA - 297 CSX - NEC, DC -1 Amtrak-
   -Washington, DC
Traditional line ownership...Chicago, IL-2 Chicago Union Station-21st Street, IL-
   -14 Pennsylvania -
Lake, IN - 325 New York Central - Cleveland, OH -
   -141 Pennsylvania -
CP Bloom, PA - 145 Baltimore and Ohio -
   -Mount Savage Jct., MD-3 Cumberland and Pennsylvania-Cumberland, MD-
   -149 Baltimore and Ohio-
NEC, DC -1 Pennsylvania- Washington, DC 
Station stops...Chicago IL, South Bend IN, Elkhart INWaterloo IN,
   Toledo OH, Sandusky OH, Elyria OH, Cleveland OH, Alliance OH,
   Pittsburgh PA, Connellsville PA, Cumberland MD, Martinsburg WV,
   Harpers Ferry WV, Rockville MD, Washington DC
   More Station Photos
Mileage by State...Illinois 14, Indiana 155, Ohio 262, Pennsylvania 196,
   West Virginia 86, Maryland 61, District of Columbia 6
Route Changes...The Capitol Limited made its debut on October 1, 1981.
   It was a replacement for the Washington section of the Broadway Limited,
   which had gone east from Washington to Philadelphia to join the New York
   section before continuing west. Since November 11, 1990, the Capitol Limited
   has been running through Cleveland and heading for Chicago on the old
   New York Central mainline.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 193,748, down 2.2% from FY06 (198,044),
   which was up 1.5% from FY2005 (195,051).  
Website    Photos    Wikipedia

 

25-Cardinal  
   Chicago, IL to New York City, NY 1,154 miles 
Current line ownership...Chicago, IL-2 Amtrak-21st Street, IL-6 Metra-
   -74th Street, IL - 1 Norfolk Southern - 81st Street, IL -
   -1 Belt Railway of Chicago - 83rd Street, IL - 11 Union Pacific -
   -Thornton Jct., IL - 6 Canadian National - Maynard, IN - 691 CSX -
   -Clifton Forge, VA - 126 Buckingham Branch - Orange, VA -
   -76 Norfolk Southern - AF, VA - 6 CSX - RO, VA - 2 Norfolk Southern-
   -CP Virginia, DC - 226 Amtrak - New York, NY
Traditional line ownership...Chicago, IL-2 Chicago Union Station-21st Street, IL-
   -15 Chicago and Western Indiana-
Dolton, IL -4 Chicago and Eastern Illinois-
   -Thornton Jct., IL - 6 Grand Trunk Western - Maynard, IN -
   -121 Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville (Monon) -
Crawfordsville, IN -
   -34 New York Central-
Clermont, IN -13 Pennsylvania - Indianapolis, IN -
   -132 Baltimore and Ohio -
Cincinnati, OH - 517 Chesapeake and Ohio -
   -Orange, VA-76 Southern-AF, VA-6 Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
   -
RO, VA - 228 Pennsylvania - New York, NY 
Station stops...Chicago IL, Dyer IN, Rensselaer IN, Lafayette IN,
   Crawfordsville IN, Indianapolis IN, Connersville IN, Cincinnati OH,
   Maysville KY, South Shore KY, Ashland KY, Huntington WV, Charleston WV,
   Montgomery WV, Thurmond WV, Prince WV, Hinton WV, Alderson WV,
   White Sulphur Springs WV, Clifton Forge VA, Staunton VA, Charlottesville VA,
   Culpeper VA, Manassas VA, Alexandria VA, Washington DC, Baltimore MD,
   Wilmington DE, Philadelphia PA, Trenton NJ, Newark NJNew York NY
   More Station Photos
Mileage by State...Illinois 26, Indiana 254, Ohio 48, Kentucky 150,
   West Virginia 211, Virginia 237, District of Columbia 8, Maryland 90,
   Delaware 22, Pennsylvania 49, New Jersey 57, New York 2
Route Changes...The Cardinal operates between Chicago and New York three
   times a week through Cincinnati and Washington, DC. Before its introduction
   on October 30, 1977, Amtrak passengers had to ride three different trains to
   travel this route. The James Whitcomb Riley operated between Chicago and
   Cincinnati on the former New York Central route through Indianapolis. The train
   entered Chicago on Illinois Central's line north of Kankakee. This necessitated
   the use of Chicago Central Station until March 6, 1972, when the trains
   switched to Union Station. There were dozens of route changes across Indiana
   affecting the Riley, and the Cardinal, which are detailed here. Amtrak's
   George Washington continued from Cincinnati to Washington, DC, running on the
   Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. The eastern terminus was moved to Boston from
   November, 1971 until April,1972 before returning to Washington. Cincinnati Union
   Station was used until October 28, 1972, when it was replaced by the new
   River Road Station. James Whitcomb Riley and the George Washington lasted until
   October 30, 1977, when both trains were replaced by the Cardinal. The Cardinal
   was cancelled on September 30, 1981 and then it returned to service on
   January 8, 1982. On July 29, 1991, the Cardinal retuned to Cincinnati Union
   Terminal. The eastern terminus has now shifted to New York.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 96,896, up 1.9% from FY06 (95,076),
   which was up 5.0% from FY2005 (90,542). 
Website    Photos    Wikipedia

 

26-Pennsylvanian 
   New York, NY to Pittsburgh, PA 444 miles
26-Keystone Service
   New York, NY to Harrisburg, PA 195 miles 
Current line ownership...New York, NY-195 Amtrak -Harrisburg, PA
   -249 Norfolk Southern- Pittsburgh, PA
Traditional line ownership...New York, NY-444 Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh, PA 
Station stops...New York NY, Newark NJ, Newark Airport NJ, Metropark NJ,
   New Brunswick NJ, Princeton Jct. NJ, Trenton NJ, Cornwells Heights PA,
   North Philadelphia PA, Philadelphia PA, Ardmore PA, Paoli PA, Exton PA,
   Downingtown PACoatesville PA, Parkesburg, PA, Lancaster PA,
   Mount Joy PA, Elizabethtown PA, Middletown PAHarrisburg PA,
   Lewistown PA, Huntingdon PA, Tyrone PA, Altoona PA, Johnstown PA,
   Latrobe PA, Greensburg PA, Pittsburgh PA,
   More Station Photos
Mileage by State...New York 2, New Jersey 57, Pennsylvania 385
Route Changes...Amtrak has used the former Pennsylvania Railroad line from
   New York through Pittsburgh to Chicago since it's 1971 inception. Originally
   this was with two of Amtrak trains, the Broadway Limited on the entire route,
   and the National Limited to Kansas City east of Pittsburgh. The National
   Limited was cancelled on October 1, 1979, while the Broadway Limited
   changed its path between Pittsburgh and Chicago to use the B&O line on
   November 11, 1990. The last run of the Broadway Limited was on September
   10, 1995. November 10, 1996, saw the New York to Pittsburgh Three Rivers
   extended west from Pittsburgh to Chicago as an overnight train, complemented
   by the daytime Pennsylvanian between New York and Pittsburgh, until the
   Three Rivers was cancelled on March 6, 2005. Service now consists of the
   Pennsylvanian between New York and Pittsburgh, and passengers continuing
   to Chicago must use the Capitol Limited.
Pennsylvanian FY 07 ridership was 180,140, down 2.1% from FY06 (184,049),
   which was down 2.8% from FY2005 (189,345).
Keystone  FY 2007 ridership was 988,454, up 20.1% from FY06 (823,097),
   which was up 12.7% from FY 2005 (730,360).
Pennsylvanian Website     Photos     Wikipedia
Keystone         Website     Photos     Wikipedia

 

27-Crescent
   New York, NY to New Orleans, LA 1,380 miles
Current line ownership...New York, NY - 226 Amtrak - CP Virginia, DC -
   -2 Norfolk Southern- RO, VA - 6 CSX - AF, VA -1,142 Norfolk Southern-
   -East City Junction, LA - 4 New Orleans Union-Passenger Terminal -
   -New Orleans, LA
Traditional line ownership...New York, NY - 228 Pennsylvania - RO, VA -
   -6 Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac -
AF, VA - 1,142 Southern -
   -
East City Junction, LA - 4 New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal -
   -
New Orleans, LA 
Station stops...New York NY, Newark NJ, Trenton NJ, Philadelphia PA,
   Wilmington DE, Baltimore MD, Washington DC, Alexandria VA, Manassas VA,
   Culpeper VA, Charlottesville VA, Lynchburg VA, Danville VA, Greensboro NC,
   High Point NC, Salisbury NC, Charlotte NC, Gastonia NC, Spartanburg SC,
   Greenville SC, Clemson SC, Toccoa GA, Gainesville GA, Atlanta GA,
   Anniston AL, Birmingham AL, Tuscaloosa AL, Meridian MS, Laurel MS,
   Hattiesburg MS, Picayune MS, Slidell LA, New Orleans LA
   More Station Photos
Mileage by State...New York 2, New Jersey 57, Pennsylvania 49, Delaware 22,
   Maryland 90, District of Columbia 8, Virginia 237, North Carolina 182,
   South Carolina 123, Georgia 157, Alabama 232, Mississippi 173, Louisiana 48
Route Changes...When Amtrak was formed during 1971 the Southern Railway
   decided not to join and continued to run their Southern Crescent between
   Washington and New Orleans. Several years later they had a change of heart
   and on February 1, 1979 Amtrak took over the route. The Southern Crescent
   became the Crescent, and was extended north to New York City.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 263,136, up 4.4% from FY06 (252,072),
   which was down 4.2% from FY2005 (263,080).   
Website    Photos    Wikipedia

 

28-Silver Meteor 
   New York, NY to Miami, FL 1,392 miles 
Current line ownership...New York, NY - 226 Amtrak - CP Virginia, DC -
   -2 Norfolk Southern - RO, VA - 1,098 CSX - Mangonia Park, FL -
   -66 Tri-Rail Commuter - Miami, FL
Traditional line ownership...New York, NY -228 Pennsylvania- RO, VA -
   -112 Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac -
Richmond, VA -
   -839 Atlantic Coast Line-
Auburndale, FL-213 Seaboard Air Line-Miami, FL 
Station stops...New York NY, Newark NJ, Trenton NJ, Philadelphia PA,
   Wilmington DE, Baltimore MD, Washington DC, Alexandria VA, Richmond VA,
   Petersburg VA, Rocky Mount NC, Fayetteville NC, Florence SC, Kingstree SC,
   Charleston SC, Yemassee SC, Savannah GA, Jesup GA, Jacksonville FL,
   Palatka FL, De Land FL, Winter Park FL, Orlando FL, Kissimmee FL,
   Winter Haven FL, Sebring FL, West Palm Beach FL, Delray Beach FL,
   Deerfield Beach FL, Fort Lauderdale FL, Hollywood FL, Miami FL
   More Station Photos
Mileage by State...New York 2, New Jersey 57, Pennsylvania 49, Delaware 22,
   Maryland 90, District of Columbia 8, Virginia 186, North Carolina 181,
   South Carolina 220, Georgia 126, Florida 451
Route Changes...The Silver Meteor still connects New York with Miami, just as
   it did 35 years ago. The original train ran between Savannah and Jacksonville
   through Thalmann, and this changed to the line through Jessup on September 30,
   1979. The earlier versions of the Silver Meteor also ran through Ocala instead of
   Orlando south of Jacksonville.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 291,735, up 6.9% from FY06 (272,879),
   which was down 5.4% from FY2005 (288,457).
Website    Photos    Wikipedia

i

29-Palmetto
   New York to Savannah, GA 829 miles 
Current line ownership...New York, NY -226 Amtrak- CP Virginia, DC -
   -2 Norfolk Southern - RO, VA - 601 CSX - Savannah, GA
Traditional line ownership...New York, NY -228 Pennsylvania- RO, VA -
   -112 Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac -
Richmond, VA -
   -489 Atlantic Coast Line -
Savannah, GA 
Station stops...New York NY, Newark NJ, Trenton NJ, Philadelphia PA,
   Wilmington DE, Baltimore MD, Washington DC, Alexandria VA, Richmond VA,
   Petersburg VA, Rocky Mount NC, Wilson NC, Selma NC, Fayetteville NC,
   Dillon SC, Florence SC, Kingstree SC, Charleston SC, Yemassee SC,
   Savannah GA
    More Station Photos
  
Mileage by State...New York 2, New Jersey 57, Pennsylvania 49, Delaware 22,
   Maryland 90, District of Columbia 8, Virginia 186, North Carolina 181,
   South Carolina 220, Georgia 14
Route Changes...The Palmetto began during the Fall of 2002, running through the
   Carolinas during the daytime. It operated between New York City on the north
   end and Tampa and Miami. It replaced the Silver Palm, which started several
   years earlier. On November 1, 2004 the Palmetto pulled back to Savannah,
   releasing a trainset of equipment for other routes. The Silver Star added Tampa
   to it's route at that time.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 156,998, up 7.5% from FY06 (146,083),
   which was up 8.5% from FY2005 (134,669).
Website    Photos    Wikipedia

i

30-Silver Star  
   New York, NY to Tampa and Miami, FL 1,518 miles
Current line ownership...New York, NY - 226 Amtrak - CP Virginia, DC -
   -2 Norfolk Southern- RO, VA -274 CSX- Selma, NC -36 Norfolk Southern-
   -Cary, NC -192 CSX- Columbia, SC -2 Norfolk Southern- Columbia, SC
   -720 CSX - Mangonia Park, FL - 66 Tri-Rail Commuter -Miami, FL
Traditional line ownership...New York, NY -228 Pennsylvania- RO, VA -
   -112 Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac -
Richmond, VA -
   -162 Atlantic Coast Line -
Selma, NC - 36 Southern - Cary, NC -
   -191 Seaboard Air Line- Columbia, SC -1 CSX- Columbia, SC -2 Southern-
   -Columbia, SC - 139 Seaboard Air Line - 
Savannah, GA -
   -434 Atlantic Coast Line-
Auburndale, FL-213 Seaboard Air Line- Miami, FL
From Raleigh to Cary trains can use NS (Southern) or CSX (SAL) track for 8 miles.
   Tampa is served by a side trip from Auburndale, which returns on the same route. 
Station stops...New York NY, Newark NJ, Trenton NJ, Philadelphia PA,
   Wilmington DE, Baltimore MD, Washington DC, Alexandria VA, Richmond VA,
   Petersburg VA, Rocky Mount NC, Raleigh NC, Cary NC, Southern Pines NC,
   Hamlet NC, Camden SC, Columbia SC, Denmark SC, Savannah GA,
   Jacksonville FL, Palatka FL, De Land FL, Winter Park FL, Orlando FL,
   Kissimmee FL, Lakeland FL, Tampa FL, Lakeland FL, Winter Haven FL,
   Sebring FL, Okeechobee FL, West Palm Beach FL, Delray Beach FL,
   Deerfield Beach FL, Fort Lauderdale FL, Hollywood FL, Miami FL
   More Station Photos
Mileage by State...New York 2, New Jersey 57, Pennsylvania 49, Delaware 22,
   Maryland 90, District of Columbia 8, Virginia 186, North Carolina 224,
   South Carolina 202, Georgia 143, Florida 535
Route Changes...The 1971 version of the Silver Star ran as one train between
   New York City and Jacksonville, Florida. From there two separate trains
   continued to Miami and St. Petersburg. The St. Petersburg leg was cut back to
   Tampa on January 31, 1984, and later dropped altogether. Since November 1,
   2004, the Silver Star has served Tampa while traveling between Jacksonville and
   Miami. The train now must back into the Tampa Station so it can retrace its route
   back to Auburndale.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 329,132, up 5.7% from FY06 (311,509),
   which was up 5.3% from FY2005 (295,709).  
Website    Photos    Wikipedia

i

31-Carolinian  
   New York, NY to Charlotte, NC 702 miles
31-Piedmont
   Raleigh, NC to Charlotte, NC 172 miles  
Current line ownership...New York, NY -226 Amtrak- CP Virginia, DC -
   -2 Norfolk Southern-RO, VA-274 CSX-Selma, NC-200 Norfolk Southern-
   -Charlotte, NC
Traditional line ownership...New York, NY -228 Pennsylvania- RO, VA -
   -112 Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac -
Richmond, VA -
   -162 Atlantic Coast Line-
Selma, NC -200 Southern- Charlotte, NC
From Raleigh to Cary trains can use NS (Southern) or CSX (SAL) track for 8 miles. 
Station stops...New York NY, Newark NJ, Trenton NJ, Philadelphia PA,
   Wilmington DE, Baltimore MD, Washington DC, Alexandria VA, Quantico VA,
   Fredericksburg VA, Richmond VA, Petersburg VA, Rocky Mount NC, Wilson NC,
   Selma NC, Raleigh NC, Cary NC, Durham NC, Burlington NC, Greensboro NC,
   High Point NC, Salisbury NC, Kannapolis NC, Charlotte NC
    More Station Photos

Mileage by State...New York 2, New Jersey 57, Pennsylvania 49, Delaware 22,
   Maryland 90, District of Columbia 8, Virginia 186, North Carolina 288
Route Changes...The Carolinian was introduced on October 28, 1984. From
   Charlotte, it ran through Greensboro and Raleigh to Richmond, Virginia, where it
   was combined with the Palmetto to continue to New York. It was terminated on
   September 1, 1985, but returned on May 12, 1990, this time joining the Palmetto
   at Rocky Mount. The Piedmont became the second train between Charlotte and
   Raleigh on May 25, 1995, thanks to equipment provided by the State of
   North Carolina.
Carolinian FY 2007 ridership was 256,212, up 5.2% from FY06 (243,434),
   which was up 10.9% from FY2005 (219,418). 
Piedmont FY 2007 ridership was 50,551, down 6.1% from FY06 (53,846),
   which was up 17.4% from FY2005 (45,851). 
Website    Photos     Photos    Wikipedia

 

32-Auto Train
   Lorton, VA to Sanford, FL 860 miles
Current line ownership...Lorton, VA - 860 CSX - Sanford, FL
Traditional line ownership...Lorton, VA-94 Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
   -
Richmond, VA - 766 Atlantic Coast Line - Sanford, FL 
Station stops...Lorton VA, Sanford FL
   More Station Photos
Mileage by State...Virginia 168, North Carolina 181, South Carolina 220,
   Georgia 126, Florida 165
Route Changes...The first Auto-Train began on December 6, 1971, running between
   Lorton, Virginia, and Sanford, Florida. This was not an Amtrak service; it was run
   by Auto-Train Corporation. Auto-Train ran into several problems, and shut down
   on May 1, 1981. Amtrak resurrected the service on October 30, 1983, also with
   Lorton and Sanford as terminals.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 217,822, up 5.0% from FY06 (207,544),
   which was up 1.4% from FY2005 (204,698). 
Website    Photos    Wikipedia

 

Other Eastern Routes

33-Newport News service
   New York, NY to Newport News, VA 416 miles
Current line ownership...New York, NY - 226 Amtrak - CP Virginia, DC -
   -2 Norfolk Southern - RO, VA - 188 CSX - Newport News, VA
Traditional line ownership...New York, NY - 228 Pennsylvania - RO, VA -
   -112 Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac - Richmond, VA -
   -4 Seaboard Air Line-
AM, VA-72 Chesapeake and Ohio-Newport News, VA 
Station stops...New York NY, Newark NJMetropark NJ, Trenton NJ,
   Philadelphia PA, Wilmington DE, Baltimore MD, Baltimore-BWI MD,
   New Carrollton MD, Washington DC, Alexandria VA, Franconia  VA,
   Woodbridge VAQuantico VA, Fredericksburg VA, Ashland VA,
   Richmond VA, Richmond VA, Williamsburg VA, Newport News VA
    More Station Photos

Mileage by State...New York 2, New Jersey 57, Pennsylvania 49, Delaware 22,
   Maryland 90, District of Columbia 8, Virginia 188
Route Changes...The Newport News section of the George Washington was operated
   westward out of Newport News from May 1, 1971 until June 14, 1976. The Colonial
   was the replacement, linking Newport News with New York City. The train has been
   nameless since May 1999, part of Amtrak Regional.   
Website      Wikipedia     Photo

i

34-Maple Leaf
   New York, NY to Toronto, ON 544 miles
34-Empire Service
   New York, NY to Niagara Falls, NY 460 miles
Between Niagara Falls and Toronto, the Maple Leaf is operated by VIA Rail Canada,
   and a VIA Rail ticket must be purchased to ride this part of the route. 
Current line ownership...New York, NY -11 Amtrak- Spuyten Duyvil, NY -
   -62 Metro North- Poughkeepsie, NY - 82 CSX - Carmen Jct., NY -
   -8 Amtrak- Hoffmans, NY - 298 CSX - Niagara Falls, NY -
   -83 Canadian National- Toronto, ON
Traditional line ownership...New York, NY - 3 Amtrak - West Side, NY -
   -458 New York Central-
Niagara Falls, NY -83 Canadian National-
   -
Toronto, ON 
Station stops...New York NY, Yonkers NY, Croton-on-Hudson NY,
   Poughkeepsie NY, Rhinecliff NY, Hudson NY, Albany Rensselaer NY,
   Schenectady NY, Amsterdam NY, Utica NY, Rome NY, Syracuse NY,
   Rochester NY, Depew-Buffalo NY, Buffalo NY, Niagara Falls NY,
   Niagara Falls ON, St. Catherines ON, Grimsby ON, Aldershot ON,
   Oakville ON, Toronto ON
    More Station Photos

Mileage by State or Province...New York 461, Ontario 83
Route Changes...The Maple Leaf made its debut on April 26, 1981. This Amtrak train
   used Grand Central Terminal until April 7, 1991, when the switch was made to
   Penn Station.
Albany-Toronto FY 07 ridership was 288,365, down 3.3% from FY06 (298,159),
   which was up 9.3% from FY2005 (272,665).  
Maple Leaf        Website     Photos     Wikipedia
Empire Service    Website      Photos     Wikipedia

 

35-Adirondack
   New York, NY to Montreal, PQ 381 miles
Current line ownership...New York, NY -11 Amtrak- Spuyten Duyvil, NY -
   -62 Metro North - Poughkeepsie, NY - 82 CSX - Carmen Jct., NY -
   -4 Amtrak- Schenectady, NY -173 Canadian Pacific- Rouses Point, NY -
   -49 Canadian National - Montreal, PQ
Traditional line ownership...New York, NY - 3 Amtrak - West Side, NY -
   -156 New York Central-
Schenectady, NY - 173 Delaware and Hudson -
   -
Rouses Point, NY - 49 Canadian National - Montreal, PQ 
Station stops...New York NY, Yonkers NY, Croton-on-Hudson NY,
   Poughkeepsie NY, Rhinecliff NY, Hudson NY, Albany Rensselaer NY,
   Schenectady NY, Saratoga Springs NY, Fort Edward NY, Whitehall NY,
   Ticonderoga NY, Port Henry NY, Westport NY, Port Kent NY,
   Plattsburg NY, Rouses Point NY, St. Lambert PQ, Montreal PQ
    More Station Photos

Mileage by State or Province...New York 332, Quebec 49
Route Changes...The first run of Amtrak's Adirondack was on August 6, 1994.
   Minor route changes took place near Albany on October 29, 1976, and between
   Montreal and the international border on January 12, 1986. The West Side
   connection opened on April 7, 1991, permitting the Adirondack to run out of
   New York Penn Station.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 101,097, up 7.5% from FY06 (94,021),
   which was up 8.4% from FY2005 (86,744).   
Website    Photos    Wikipedia

 

36-Ethan Allen Express
   New York, NY to Rutland, VT 241 miles
Current line ownership...New York, NY -11 Amtrak- Spuyten Duyvil, NY -
   -62 Metro North - Poughkeepsie, NY - 82 CSX - Carmen Jct., NY -
   -4 Amtrak- Schenectady, NY -59 Canadian Pacific- Whitehall, NY -
   -23 Clarendon and Pittsford - Rutland, VT
Traditional line ownership...New York, NY -3 Amtrak- West Side, NY -
   -156 New York Central -
Schenectady, NY - 82 Delaware and Hudson -
   -
Rutland, VT 
Station stops...New York NY, Yonkers NY, Croton-on-Hudson NY,
   Poughkeepsie NY, Rhinecliff NY, Hudson NY, Albany Rensselaer NY,
   Schenectady NY, Saratoga Springs NY, Fort Edward NY, Fair Haven VT,
   Rutland VT
    More Station Photos

Mileage by State...New York 224, Vermont 17
Route Changes...The first run of the Ethan Allen Express was on December 2, 1996.
   Vermont sponsors this train, an extension of a former New York to Albany train.
   The Ethan Allen shares the route with Amtrak's Adirondack as far as Whitehall,
   New York.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 43,942, up 2.8% from FY06 (42,763),
   which was up 14.4% from FY2005 (37,371).  
Website    Photos    Wikipedia

 

37-Northeast Corridor - Regional, Acela and Metroliner service 
   Washington, DC to Boston, MA 457 miles
Current line ownership...Washington, DC- 244 Amtrak-New Rochelle, NY -
   -56 Metro North - New Haven, CT - 157 Amtrak - Boston, MA
Traditional line ownership...Washington, DC - 232 Pennsylvania -
   -
Sunnyside Jct., NY - 3 New York Connecting - Port Morris, NY -
   -222 New York, New Haven and Hartford -
 Boston, MA 
Station stops...Washington DC, New Carrollton MD, Baltimore-BWI MD,
   Baltimore MD, Aberdeen MD, Newark DEWilmington DE, Philadelphia PA,
   North Philadelphia PA, Cornwells Heights PA, Trenton NJ, Princeton Jct NJ,
   New Brunswick NJ, Metropark NJ, Newark Airport NJNewark NJ, New York NY,
   New Rochelle NY, Stamford CT, Bridgeport CT, New Haven CT,
   Old Saybrook CT, New London CT, Mystic CT, Westerly RI, West Kingston RI,
   Providence RI, Westwood MA, Boston-Back Bay MA, Boston MA
    More Station Photos

Mileage by State...District of Columbia 6, Maryland 90, Delaware 22,
   Pennsylvania 49, New Jersey 57, New York 31, Connecticut 115, Rhode Island 51,
   Massachusetts 36
Route Changes...The Northeast corridor was owned by the Penn Central Railroad
   until April 1, 1976. At that time, the New Rochelle to New Haven section was
   transferred to the State of Connecticut, and the remainder came under Amtrak's
   control. Penn Central's predecessors, the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York,
   New Haven and Hartford, had converted the Washington to New Haven line to
   electric operation. The electrification was completed to Boston during January 2000.
   On December 11, 2000, the new Acela trains entered service.
Fiscal year 07 ridership was 10,035,012, up 6.4% from FY06 ( 9,431,279),
   which was down 1.6% from FY2005 (9,586,180).
Regional Service ridership was 6,836,646, up 1.2% from FY06 (6,755,085),
   which was down 1.6% from FY2005 (7,115,698).
Acela/Metroliner ridership was 3,191,321, up 19.6% from FY06 (2,668,174),
   which was up 1.6% from FY2005 (2,452,902).
Regional      Website      Photos      Wikipedia
Metroliner   Website      Photos      Wikipedia  
Acela          Website      Photos      Wikipedia

 

38-Vermonter
   Washington, DC to St. Albans, VT 606 miles
Current line ownership...Washington, DC -244 Amtrak- New Rochelle, NY -
   -56 Metro North-New Haven, CT - 55 Amtrak - Springfield, MA -15 CSX-
   -Palmer, MA - 236 New England Central - St. Albans, VT
Traditional line ownership...Washington, DC - 232 Pennsylvania -
   -
Sunnyside Jct., NY - 3 New York Connecting - Port Morris, NY -
   -120 New York, New Haven and Hartford -
Springfield, MA -
   -15 New York Central-
Palmer, MA -55 Central Vermont- Brattleboro, VT -
   -49 Boston and Maine-
Windsor, VT-132 Central Vermont- St. Albans, VT 
Station stops...Washington DC, New Carrollton MD, Baltimore-BWI MD,
   Baltimore MD, Wilmington DE, Philadelphia PA, Trenton NJMetropark NJ,
   Newark NJ, New York NY, Stamford CT, Bridgeport CT, New Haven CT,
   Meriden CT, Kensington-Berlin CT, Hartford CT, Windsor Locks CT,
   Springfield MA, Amherst MA, Brattleboro VT, Bellows Falls VT, Claremont NH,
   Windsor VT, White River Junction VT, Randolph VT, Montpelier VT,
   Waterbury VT, Essex Jct. VT, St. Albans VT
   More Station Photos
Mileage by State...District of Columbia 6, Maryland 90, Delaware 22,
   Pennsylvania 49, New Jersey 57, New York 31, Connecticut 95,
   Massachusetts 65, New Hampshire 25, Vermont 166
Route Changes...The Montrealer and the Washingtonian inaugurated Amtrak
   service on this route on September 29, 1972. From Washington, the train rode
   on Penn Central's track to Springfield, MA. The Boston and Maine, Central
   Vermont and Canadian National owned the remainder of the line to Montreal.
   The Montrealer was suspended north of Springfield on April 5, 1987 due to flood
   damage. On July 18, 1989 the train resumed its run using the Northeast corridor
   to New London, and Central Vermont and CN the rest of the way. The daytime
   Vermonter replaced the Montrealer on April 2, 1995, running only as far as
   St. Albans, Vermont. The Vermonter returned to the earlier route to Springfield,
   and then traveled east to Palmer before heading north.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 63,299, up 16.6% from FY06 (54,273),
   which was up 8.8% from FY2005 (49,864).   
Website    Photos    Wikipedia

 

39-Downeaster
   Boston, MA to Portland, ME 116 miles
Current line ownership...Boston, MA - 15 MBTA - Wilmington, MA -
   -101 Pan Am Railway - Portland, ME
Traditional line ownership...Boston, MA-116 Boston and Maine-Portland, ME 
Station stops...Boston MA, Woburn MA, Haverhill MA, Exeter NH, Durham NH,
   Dover NH, Wells ME, Saco ME, Old Orchard Beach ME, Portland ME
   More Station Photos
Mileage by State...Massachusetts 36, New Hampshire 35, Maine 44
Route Changes...The Downeaster began running between Boston's North Station
   and Portland on December 15, 2001. Amtrak had not served Maine before this
   train, and the State's last intercity passenger service was by Via Rail, which
   ended on October 28, 1994. Alaska, Hawaii, South Dakota and Wyoming are the
   only States without Amtrak.
Fiscal year 2007 ridership was 361,634, up 7.0% from FY06 (337,921),
   which was up 22.9% from FY2005 (274,966). 
Website    Photos    Wikipedia

More Photos    Photos    Schedules

Dale
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Nanaimo BC Canada
  • 4,117 posts
Amtrak's Current Routes
Posted by nanaimo73 on Sunday, December 11, 2005 12:06 AM

Suspended Route

40-Sunset Limited - August 28, 2005
   New Orleans, LA to Orlando, FL 769 miles 
Current line ownership...New Orleans, LA-4 New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal
   -East City Jct., LA -4 Norfolk Southern- NOT Jct., LA -761 CSX- Orlando, FL
Traditional line ownership...New Orleans, LA-4 New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal
   -
East City Jct., LA -4 Southern- NOT Jct., LA -399 Louisville and Nashville-
   -
Chattahoochee, FL - 211 Seaboard Air Line - Jacksonville, FL -
   -151 Atlantic Coast Line-
Orlando, FL 
Station stops...New Orleans LA, Bay St. Louis MS, Gulfport MS, Biloxi MS,
   Pascagoula MS, Mobile AL, Atmore AL, Pensacola FL, Crestview FL,
   Chipley FL, Tallahassee FL, Madison FL, Lake City FL, Jacksonville FL,
   Palatka FL, De Land FL, Winter Park FL, Orlando FL
    More Station Photos

Mileage by State...Louisiana 42, Mississippi 75, Alabama 88, Florida 564  
Route changes...The Sunset Limited made its debut as a 2,033 mile train linking
   Los Angeles with New Orleans on May 1, 1971, and was extended east to Miami on
   April 4, 1993. The eastern terminus was cut back to Sanford during 1997 and then
   extended to Orlando during 1998. Due to Hurricane Katrina, the Sunset has been
   suspended east of New Orleans since August 28, 2005.   
Website    Photos    Wikipedia 

Recently Abandoned Routes

41-Three Rivers - March 7, 2005
   Chicago, IL to New York, NY 908 miles
Current line ownership...Chicago, IL-2 Amtrak-21st Street, IL-21 Norfolk Southern-
   -Pine Junction, IN-393 CSX-New Castle, PA-492 Norfolk Southern-New York, NY
Traditional line ownership...Chicago, IL-2 Chicago Union Station-21st Street, IL -
   -21 Pennsylvania-
Pine Junction, IN-393 Baltimore and Ohio-New Castle, PA -
   -492  Pennsylvania-
New York, NY 
Station stops...Chicago IL, Hammond-Whiting IN, Nappanee IN, Fostoria OH,
   Akron OH, Youngstown OH, Pittsburgh PA, Greensburg PA, Latrobe PA,
   Johnstown PA, Altoona PA, Tyrone PA, Huntingdon PA, Lewistown PA,
   Harrisburg PA, Lancaster PA, Paoli PA, Philadelphia PA, Trenton NJ,
   Newark NJ, New York NY
    More Station Photos
Mileage by State...Illinois 14, Indiana  147, Ohio  245, Pennsylvania  443,
   New Jersey 57, New York 2 
Route Changes...Amtrak has used the former Pennsylvania Railroad line from
   New York through Pittsburgh to Chicago since it's 1971 inception. Originally this
   was with two of Amtrak trains, the Broadway Limited on the entire route, and
   the National Limited to Kansas City east of Pittsburgh. The National Limited was
   cancelled on October 1, 1979, while the Broadway Limited changed its path between
   Pittsburgh and Chicago to use the B&O line on November 11, 1990. The last run of
   the Broadway Limited was on September 10, 1995. November 10, 1996, saw the
   New York to Pittsburgh Three Rivers extended west from Pittsburgh to Chicago as an
   overnight train, complemented by the daytime Pennsylvanian between New York and
   Pittsburgh, until the Three Rivers was cancelled on March 6, 2005. Service now
   consists of the Pennsylvanian between New York and Pittsburgh, and passengers
   continuing to Chicago must use the Capitol Limited.   
Website   Photos   Wikipedia   PDF schedule

42-Silver Palm - November 1, 2004
   New York, NY to Miami, FL 1,458 miles 
Current line ownership...New York, NY - 226 Amtrak - CP Virginia, DC -
   -2 Norfolk Southern - RO, VA - 1,164 CSX - Mangonia Park, FL -
   -66 Tri-Rail Commuter - Miami, FL
Traditional line ownership...New York, NY -228 Pennsylvania- RO, VA -
   -112 Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac -
Richmond, VA -
   -640 Atlantic Coast Line-
Jacksonville -161 Seaboard Air Line- Dade City -
   -104 Atlantic Coast Line -
Auburndale, FL-213 Seaboard Air Line-Miami, FL 
Station stops...New York NY, Newark NJ, Trenton NJ, Philadelphia PA,
   Wilmington DE, Baltimore MD, Washington DC, Alexandria VA, Richmond VA,
   Petersburg VA, Rocky Mount NC, Fayetteville NC, Florence SC, Kingstree SC,
   Charleston SC, Yemassee SC, Savannah GA, Jesup GA, Jacksonville FL,
   Waldo FL, Ocala FL, Wildwood FL, Dade City FL, Tampa FL, Lakeland FL,
   Winter Haven FL, Sebring FL, Okeechobee FL, West Palm Beach FL,
   Delray Beach FL, Deerfield Beach FL, Fort Lauderdale FL, Hollywood FL,
   Miami FL
   More Station Photos
Mileage by State...New York 2, New Jersey 57, Pennsylvania 49, Delaware 22,
   Maryland 90, District of Columbia 8, Virginia 186, North Carolina 181,
   South Carolina 220, Georgia 126, Florida 517
Route Changes...The Silver Palm began running on November 10, 1996, as the third
   New York-Miami train, but the only one serving Tampa. On November 1, 2004, the
   Silver Palm was renamed the Palmetto in the spring of 2002, and then stopped
   running south of Savannah on November 1, 2004. The Silver Star's route was
   changed in Florida at that time to serve Tampa.
Website    Photos    Wikipedia

43-International - April 23, 2004
   Chicago, IL to Toronto, ON 501 miles
Current line ownership...Chicago, IL - 2 Amtrak - 21st Street, IL -
   -38 Norfolk Southern - Porter, IN - 98 Amtrak - Kalamazoo, MI -
   -22 Norfolk Southern-Battle Creek, MI-341 Canadian National-Toronto, ON
Traditional line ownership...Chicago, IL-2 Chicago Union Station-21st Street, IL-
   -14 Pennsylvania -
Lake, IN - 144 New York Central - Battle Creek, MI -
   -160 Grand Trunk Western-
Port Huron, MI-181 Canadian National-Toronto, ON 
Station stops...Chicago IL, Hammond-Whiting IN, Michigan City IN, Niles MI,
   Dowagiac MI, Kalamazoo MI, Battle Creek MI, East Lansing MI, Durand MI,
   Flint MI, Lapeer MI, Port Huron MI, Sarnia ON, Strathroy ON, London ON,
   St.Marys ON, Stratford ON, Kitchener ON, Guelph ON, Georgetown ON,
   Brampton ON, Toronto ON
    More Station Photos
  
Mileage by State...Illinois 14, Indiana 45, Michigan 261, Ontario 181.
Route Changes...The Blue Water Limited was initiated by Amtrak on September 15,
   1974, running between Chicago and Port Huron, MI. The route was the same
   as the Wolverine from Chicago, using the Penn Central Railroad as far as
   Battle Creek, MI, from where Grand Trunk Western was used for the remainder of
   the trip across Michigan. The portion of the route between Porter, IN, and
   Kalamazoo, MI, was sold to Amtrak during 1976. The Blue Water Limited was
   renamed the International on October 31, 1982 when it was extended east to
   Toronto, Ontario. The International lasted until April 23, 2004, when the
   Blue Water returned as a Chicago to Port Huron train. 
Website    Photos    Wikipedia  

44-Kentucky Cardinal - July 6, 2003
   Chicago, IL to Louisville, KY 312 miles 
Current line ownership...Chicago, IL -2 Amtrak- 21st Street, IL -6 Metra-
   -74th Street, IL-1 Norfolk Southern-81st Street, IL-1 Belt Railway of Chicago-
   -83rd Street, IL-11 Union Pacific-Thornton Jct., IL-6 Canadian National-
   -Maynard, IN-173 CSX-Indianapolis, IN-112 Louisville and Indiana-Louisville, KY
Traditional line ownership...Chicago, IL-2 Chicago Union Station-21st Street, IL-
   -15 Chicago and Western Indiana-
Dolton, IL-4 Chicago and Eastern Illinois-
   -
Thornton Jct., IL - 6 Grand Trunk Western - Maynard, IN -
   -121 Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville (Monon)-
Crawfordsville, IN -
   -34 New York Central-
Clermont, IN -130 Pennsylvania-Louisville, KY 
Station stops...Chicago IL, Dyer IN, Rensselaer IN, Lafayette IN,
   Crawfordsville IN, Indianapolis IN, Jeffersonville IN, Louisville KY
    More Station Photos
 
Mileage by State...Illinois 26, Indiana 284, Kentucky 2 
Route Changes...The Kentucky Cardinal began on December 18, 1999, when Amtrak
   extended it's Chicago to Indianapolis Hoosier State to Jeffersonville, IN. Further
   extension across the Ohio River to Louisville took place on December 4, 2001.
   Cancellation came on July 6, 2003, and the Hoosier State returned between
   Chicago and Indianapolis. 
Website    '00 schedule    Wikipedia 

45-Lake Country Limited - September 22, 2001
   Chicago, IL to Janesville, WI 98 miles
Current line ownership...Chicago, IL - 49 Metra - Fox Lake, IL -
   -49 Wisconsin and Southern - Janesville, WI 
Traditional line ownership...Chicago, IL-98 Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific-
   -
Janesville, WI   
Station stops...Chicago IL, Glenview IL, Lake Geneva WI, Janesville WI
   More Station Photos
   
Mileage by State...Illinois 66, Wisconsin 32.
Route Changes...The Lake Country Limited made its first run on April 15, 2000,
   on the Empire Builder route north from Chicago to Rondout, and from there on a
   new Amtrak route to Janesville. The train was cancelled on September 22, 2001,
   after anticipated Roadrailer traffic did not materialize.  
Website    '00 schedule

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Current Track Ownership Summary 
BNSF 6,481...Coast Starlight 186...Empire Builder 1,807...
   Portland Empire Builder 378...California Zephyr 1,036...Southwest Chief 2,210
   Sunset 196...Texas Eagle 147...Heartland Flyer 209...Pacific Surfliner 22...
   San Joaquin 276...Cascades 154...Illinois Zephyr 257
Union Pacific 5,752...Coast Starlight 1,202...California Zephyr 1,383...
   Sunset 1,780...Pacific Surfliners 222...San Joaquin 87...Texas Eagle 1,132... 
   Ann Rutledge, Kansas City, St. Louis Mule 274...Cardinal 11
CSX 4,010...Sunset 761...Pere Marquette 137...Lake Shore Limited 536
   Capitol Limited 297...Cardinal 697...Crescent 6...Silver Meteor 1,098...
   Palmetto 601...Silver Star 1,152...Carolinian 274...Auto Train 860...
   Newport News line 188...Maple Leaf 380...Adirondack 82...Ethan Allen Express 82...
   Boston Lake Shore Limited 167...Vermonter 15
Norfolk Southern 2,163...Southwest Chief 29...Sunset 4...Texas Eagle 14...
   Lincoln Service 14...Wolverine 173...Blue Water 60...Pere Marquette 38...
   Lake Shore Limited 339...Capitol Limited 480...Cardinal 79...Pennsylvanian 249...
   Crescent 1,144...Silver Meteor 2...Palmetto 2...Silver Star 40...Carolinian 202...
   Newport News 2
Canadian National 1,285...Sunset 2...Texas Eagle 35...Cascades 1...
   City of New Orleans 927...Wolverine 25...Blue Water 159...Cardinal 6...
   Maple Leaf 83...Adirondack 49
Amtrak 692...California Zephyr 1...Southwest Chief 1...Texas Eagle 2...
   Illinois Zephyr 1...City of New Orleans 1...Wolverine 104...Blue Water 100...
   Pere Marquette 2...Lake Shore Limited 22...Capitol Limited 3...
   Cardinal 228...Pennsylvanian 195...Crescent 226...Silver Meteor 226...
   Palmetto 226...Silver Star 226...Carolinian 226...Newport News 226...
   Maple Leaf 19...Adirondack 15...Ethan Allen Express 15...Northeast Corridor 401...
   Boston Lake Shore Limited 12...Vermonter 299
Canadian Pacific 557...Empire Builder 384...Adirondack 173...
   Ethan Allen Express 59
New England Central 236...Vermonter 236
Buckingham Branch 126...Cardinal 126
Metro North 118...Lake Shore Limited 62...Maple Leaf 62...Adirondack 62...
   Ethan Allen Express 62...Northern Northeast Corridor 56...Vermonter 56 
Pan Am Railway 101...Downeaster 101
Tri-Rail Commuter 66...Silver Meteor 66...Silver Star 66 
San Diego Northern 62...Pacific Surfliner 62
Metrolink 45...Coast Starlight 1...Southwest Chief 4...Sunset 1...
   Pacific Surfliner 45
Metra 38...Empire Builder 32...Cardinal 6
MBTA 35...Boston Lake Shore Limited 20...Downeaster 15
Kansas City Southern 26...Sunset 3...Texas Eagle 23...Lincoln Service 23...
   City of New Orleans 1
Clarendon and Pittsford 23...Ethan Allen Express 23
Kansas City Terminal 9...Southwest Chief 9...Ann Rutledge 9...
   Kansas City, St Louis Mule 6
Terminal Railroad Association 9...Texas Eagle 9...Ann Rutledge 2...
   Kansas City, St. Louis Mule 2
New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal 6...Sunset 6...City of New Orleans 3
   Crescent 4
New Orleans Public Belt 5...Sunset 5  
Minnesota Commercial 2...Empire Builder 2
Belt Railway of Chicago 1...Cardinal 1
Conrail 1...Wolverine 1
Total 21,157 (21,767 with the Sunset Limited to Orlando)

i 

Heritage Ownership (route mileage, overlap removed)
Southern Pacific 3,750...Coast Starlight 1,201...California Zephyr 596...
   Sunset 1,975...Texas Eagle 7...Pacific Surfliners 222...San Joaquin 87
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe 2,777...Southwest Chief 2,042...
   Texas Eagle 147...Heartland Flyer 209...Pacific Surfliner 128...San Joaquin 276
Great Northern 1,598...Empire Builder 1,476...Cascades 154
New York Central 1,449...Texas Eagle 14...Lincoln Service 14...
   Wolverine 262...Blue Water 144...Pere Marquette 24...Lake Shore Limited 940...
   Capitol Limited 325...Cardinal 34...Maple Leaf 458...Adirondack 156...
   Ethan Allen Express 156...Boston Lake Shore Limited 198...
   Vermonter 15
Southern 1,253...Sunset 4...Cardinal 76...Crescent 1,142...Silver Star 38...
   Carolinian 200
Missouri Pacific 1,202...Sunset Limited 82...Texas Eagle 847...Ann Rutledge 274...
   Kansas City, St. Louis Mule 274
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy 1,151...Empire Builder 19...
   California Zephyr 1,036...Southwest Chief 171...Illinois Zephyr 257  
Illinois Central 927...Sunset 2...City of New Orleans 927
Atlantic Coast Line 883...Sunset 151...Silver Meteor 839...Palmetto 489...
   Silver Star 554...Carolinian 162...Auto Train 766
Seaboard Air Line 756...Sunset 211...Silver Meteor 213...Silver Star 551...
   Newport News line 4
Pennsylvania 755...Wolverine 14...Blue Water 14...Pere Marquette 14...
   Lake Shore Limited 14...Capitol Limited 156...Cardinal 241...
   Pennsylvanian 444...Crescent 228...Silver Meteor 228...Palmetto 228...
   Silver Star 228...Carolinian 228...Newport News line 228...Northeast Corridor 232...
   Vermonter 232
Chesapeake and Ohio 726...Pere Marquette 137...Cardinal 517...
   Newport News line 72
Denver and Rio Grande Western 571...California Zephyr 571
Northern Pacific 568...Coast Starlight 176...Empire Builder 245...
   Portland Empire Builder 148
Baltimore and Ohio 426...Capitol Limited 294...Cardinal 132
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific 416...Empire Builder 416
Louisville and Nashville 399...Sunset 399
Western Pacific 397...California Zephyr 397
New York, New Haven and Hartford 274...Northern Northeast Corridor 222...
   Boston Lake Shore Limited 1...Vermonter 120
Gulf, Mobile and Ohio 273...Texas Eagle 273
Spokane, Portland and Seattle 240...Coast Starlight 10...
   Portland Empire Builder 240
Delaware and Hudson 196...Adirondack 173...Ethan Allen Express 82
Grand Trunk Western 190...Wolverine 25...Blue Water 159...Cardinal 6
Central Vermont 187...Vermonter 187
Boston and Maine 165...Vermonter 49...Downeaster 116
Canadian National 133...Cascades 1...Maple Leaf 83...Adirondack 49
Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville (Monon) 121 ...Cardinal 121
Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac 112...Cardinal 6...Crescent 6...
   Silver Meteor 112...Palmetto 112...Silver Star 112...Carolinian 112...Auto Train 94...
   Newport News line 112
Burlington Northern 67...Empire Builder 67
Missouri Kansas Texas 40...Texas Eagle 40
Wabash 29...Southwest Chief 29
Union Pacific 19...Coast Starlight 1...California Zephyr 18
Chicago and Indiana Western 15...Cardinal 15
Kansas City Terminal 9...Southwest Chief 9...Ann Rutledge 6...
   Kansas City, St. Louis Mule 6
Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis 9...Texas Eagle 9...
   Ann Rutledge, Kansas City, St. Louis Mule 2
New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal 6...Sunset 6...City of New Orleans 3...
   Crescent 4
New Orleans Public Belt 5...Sunset 5
Chicago and Eastern Illinois 4...Cardinal 4
Amtrak 3...Lake Shore Limited 3...Maple Leaf 3...Adirondack 3...
   Ethan Allen Express 3
Cumberland and Pennsylvania 3...Capitol Limited 3
Kansas City Southern 3...Sunset 3...City of New Orleans 1
New York Connecting 3...Northern Northeast Corridor 3...Vermonter 3
Chicago Union Station 2...California Zephyr, Southwest Chief, Texas Eagle,
   Illinois Zephyr, City of New Orleans, Wolverine, Blue Water,
   Pere Marquette, Lake Shore Limited, Capitol Limited, Cardinal
Minnesota Transfer 2...Empire Builder 2
Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal 1...Coast Starlight, Southwest Chief,
   Sunset Limited, Pacific Surfliner
CSX 1...Silver Star 1
Total 21,157

i 

State Mileage
Alabama 320 (28th)...Crescent 232...Sunset 88 
Alaska 0
Arizona 774 (7th)...Southwest Chief 386...Sunset Limited 388
Arkansas 305 (30th)...Texas Eagle 305
California 2,039 (1st)...Coast Starlight 864...California Zephyr 224...
   Southwest Chief 349...Sunset 253...Pacific Surfliners 351...San Joaquin 363
   Capitol Corridor 172 
Colorado 658 (10th)...California Zephyr 477...Southwest Chief 181
Connecticut 162 (37th) ...Northeast Corridor 115...Vermonter 95
Delaware 22 (46th) ...Cardinal 22...Crescent 22...Silver Meteor 22...
   Palmetto 22...Silver Star 22...Carolinian 22...Northeast Corridor 22...Vermonter 22
Florida 908 (5th)...Silver Meteor 451...Silver Star 535...Auto Train 165...Sunset 564 
Georgia 307 (29th) ...Crescent 157...Silver Meteor 126...Palmetto 14...Silver Star 143...
   Auto Train 126
Hawaii 0
Idaho 102 (41st)...Empire Builder 102
Illinois 1,066 (3rd)...Empire Builder 48...California Zephyr 204...
   Southwest Chief 216...Texas Eagle 278...Illinois Zephyr, Carl Sandberg 258...
   Lincoln Service 278...City of New Orleans 362...Illini, Saluki 310...
   Hiawatha 48...Wolverine, Blue Water, Pere Marquette 14...
   Hoosier State 26...Lake Shore Limited 14...Capitol Limited 14...Cardinal 26
Indiana 448 (20th)...Wolverine 45...Blue Water 45...Pere Marquette 46...
   Hoosier State 169...Lake Shore Limited 155...Capitol Limited 155...Cardinal 254
Iowa 294 (32nd)...California Zephyr 274...Southwest Chief 20
Kansas 470 (18th)...Southwest Chief 470
Kentucky 193 (35th)...City of New Orleans 43...Cardinal 150
Louisiana 409 (22nd)...Sunset 247...City of New Orleans 88...Crescent 48...Sunset 42 
Maine 45 (45th) ...Downeaster 45
Maryland 151 (38th) ...Capitol Limited 61...Cardinal 90...Crescent 90...
   Silver Meteor 90...Palmetto 90...Silver Star 90...Carolinian 90...
   Northeast Corridor 90...Vermonter 90
Massachusetts 282 (33rd) ...Northeast Corridor 36...
   Boston Lake Shore Limited 161...Vermonter 65...Downeaster 36
Michigan 520 (17th)...Wolverine 244...Blue Water 260...Pere Marquette 117
Minnesota 380 (26th)...Empire Builder 380
Mississippi 553 (15th)...City of New Orleans305...Crescent 173...Sunset 75 
Missouri 667 (8th)...Southwest Chief 201...Texas Eagle 193...
   Ann Rutledge 282...Lincoln Service 4...Kansas City, St. Louis Mules 282
Montana 668 (8th)...Empire Builder 668
Nebraska 387 (24th)...California Zephyr 387
Nevada 465 (19th)...California Zephyr 465
New Hampshire 60 (42nd)...Vermonter 25...Downeaster 35
New Jersey 57 (43rd)...Cardinal 57...Pennsylvanian 57...Crescent 57...
   Silver Meteor 57...Palmetto 57...Silver Star 57...Carolinian 57...
   Northeast Corridor 57...Vermonter 57
New Mexico 600 (13th)...Southwest Chief 430...Sunset Limited 170
New York 777 (6th) ...Lake Shore Limited 504...Cardinal 2...Pennsylvanian 2
   Crescent 2...Silver Meteor 2...Palmetto 2...Silver Star 2...Carolinian 2...
   Maple Leaf 461...Adirondack 332...Ethan Allen Express 224...
   Northeast Corridor 31...Boston Lake Shore Limited 38...Vermonter 31
North Carolina 569 (14th) ...Crescent 182...Silver Meteor 181...Palmetto 181...
   Silver Star 224...Carolinian 288...Piedmont 172...Auto Train 181
North Dakota 424 (21st)...Empire Builder 424
Ohio 381 (25th)...Lake Shore Limited 243...Capitol Limited 262...Cardinal 48
Oklahoma 134 (39th)...Heartland Flyer 134
Oregon 348 (27th)...Coast Starlight 348...Portland Empire Builder 9
Pennsylvania 641 (12th) ...Lake Shore Limited 43...Capitol Limited 196...
   Cardinal 49...Pennsylvanian 385...Crescent 49...Silver Meteor 49...
   Palmetto 49...Silver Star 49...Carolinian 49...Northeast Corridor 49...Vermonter 49
Rhode Island 51 (44th) ...Northeast Corridor 51
South Carolina 545 (16th) ...Crescent 123...Silver Meteor 220...
   Palmetto 220...Silver Star 202...Auto Train 220
South Dakota 0
Tennessee 134 (39th)...City of New Orleans 134
Texas 1,538 (2nd)...Sunset Limited 933...Texas Eagle 531...Heartland Flyer 75
Utah 389 (23rd)...California Zephyr 389
Vermont 183 (36th) ...Ethan Allen Express 17...Vermonter 166
Virginia 648 (11th) ...Cardinal 237...Crescent 237...Silver Meteor 186...
   Palmetto 186...Silver Star 186...Carolinian 186...Auto Train 168...
   Newport News line 76
Washington 980 (4th)...Coast Starlight 177...Empire Builder 349...
   Portland Empire Builder 369...Cascades 119
West Virginia 297 (31st) ...Capitol Limited 86...Cardinal 211
Wisconsin 235 (34th)...Empire Builder 235...Hiawatha 37 
Wyoming 0
District of Columbia 13...Capitol Limited 6...Cardinal 8...Crescent 8...
   Silver Meteor 8...Palmetto 8...Silver Star 8...Carolinian 8...
   Northeast Corridor 6...Vermonter 6

Canada 168...Cascades 36...Maple Leaf 83...Adirondack 49

Total 21,157



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Amtrak from Chicago to Cincinnati.

Amtrak has had over 150 route changes since it began on May 1st, 1971. One of the most unstable routes has been across Indiana between Chicago and Cincinnati. This is currently the western end of the Cardinal.
When Amtrak began there were two routes from Chicago to Cincinnati. The James Whitcomb Riley was a Penn Central train running on a former New York Central route using Illinois Central from Chicago to Kankakee and then PC through Lafayette, Indianapolis and Greensburg. The other route was over the former Pennsylvania through Logansport which split to go through Kokomo or Indianapolis.
Amtrak used the Penn Central James Whitcomb Riley and C&O George Washington names until 1977 when the train became the Cardinal.
Amtrak naturally chose the 307 mile Penn Central line used by the Riley. Unfortunately the Penn Central was falling apart and this was a north-south route in an east-west system. The first route change was on January 23, 1972 onto the PRR route through Logansport. Using former PRR track north of Indianapolis and NYC south to Cincinnati shortened the route from 307 miles to 303. Some trains ran over another former PRR route between Logansport and Anderson and then over former NYC from Anderson to Indianapolis making the route 313 miles. The route south of Indianapolis changed on October 16, 1973 from the Greensburg NYC line to the former PRR through Richmond,making the route 335 or 345 miles. Another detour route was available here over the former NYC between Indianapolis and Richmond through Anderson, adding another 18 miles. On August 1, 1974 Amtrak had to move over to Chesapeake and Ohio trackage when the FRA ordered Penn Central's line closed. The C&O ran through Muncie on a 287 mile line which missed Indianapolis. The next change came on June 12, 1977 when Baltimore and Ohio trackage between Chicago and Wellsboro and former Pere Marquette to La Crosse replaced a piece of C&O which was being abandonded. C&O then abandonded their line over Chevoit Hill north of Cincinnati forcing a shift to B&O's line via Hamilton. This lasted until the Cardinal was suspended on September 30, 1981.
Service resumed on January 8, 1982 and on April 27, 1986 the Cardinal returned to Indianapolis using the B&O from Cincinnati. The Hoosier State route was used north of Indianapolis. This Chicago to Indianapolis train had been added on October 1, 1980, partly to take bad order cars from Chicago to the Beech Grove shops. The route used Conrail (PRR) from Chicago to Maynard (Indiana) and then CSX (Monon) to Crawfordsville and back to Conrail (NYC) to Indianapolis. A small change was on the west side of Indianapolis when Conrail removed a section of the former NYC (Peoria and Eastern) to Clermont moving the train over to a former PRR line. The last change occured on June 30, 1993 between Chicago and Maynard. The new route uses Metra, Norfolk Southern, Belt Railway of Chicago, Union Pacific and Canadian National. Hopefully this route will stabilize now. A lot of the lines in Indiana have been chopped or sold to short lines and alternatives are not available.

The high speed rail proposals include the current Lake Shore Limited route between Chicago and Gary and then over the former Pennsylvania Panhandle line now operated by the Chicago, Ft. Wayne and Eastern. At the town of Wanatah the route turns south and runs over an abandoned CSX line, joining the current Cardinal route at Monon, Indiana and keeping on this route to Indianapolis. The route south of Indianapolis would be a return to the former NYC through Beech Grove and Greensburg.CSX has the northern 27 miles and the rest is now the Central of Indiana Division of Railamerica's Indiana and Ohio. This line follows Tanner creek to the Ohio River.
www.in.gov/dot/modetrans/train/pdf/indiana_rails.pdf

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dale's Trackside Guides

#1-Amtrak's Current Routes
A detailed accounting of which railroad owns every mile of track used by Amtrak.

#2-Amtrak's Original Routes
A look at the routes used by Amtrak on May 1st, 1971.

#3-Amtrak's Abandoned Routes
A State by State list of routes previously used by Amtrak.

#4-Mississippi River Crossings
This is a study of the Railroad crossings over the Mississippi River.

#5-Continental Divide Crossings
A summary of the railroad crossings of the Continental Divide in North America.

#6-America's Regional Railroads
A look at the 62 current and former Regional Railroads in the United States.

#7-Class 1 Railroads in the 1950s 
A summary of the 127 class 1 railroads in 1950.

#8-The Milwaukee Road Mainline
Points of interest on the CMSP&P mainline from Chicago to Seattle and Portland.

#9-Montana Rail Link, I&MRL and IC&E Rosters

#10-AC Ownership
Owners of locomotives with AC traction motors.

#11-GP30 Ownership
A simple rundown of the dozens of owners of GP30 locomotives.

#12-1980
A look at the events that took place during 1980 affecting America's railroads.

#13-Iowa's Counties
A listing of the railroads operating in Iowa's 99 Counties today and in
1985 and 1930.  

#14-Ohio's Counties
A listing of the railroads operating in Ohio's 88 Counties today and in
1985 and 1930.

#15-Pieces of the Rock
Surviving rail lines and locomotives of the Rock Island Railroad.

#16-Missouri River Crossings
A study of the Railroad crossings over the Missouri River.

Dale's Nexus 

Dale
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: K.C.,MO.
  • 1,063 posts
Posted by rrandb on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 8:27 PM
Where is the Ann Rutledge or is this a duplication of other routes??? [?]
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Nanaimo BC Canada
  • 4,117 posts
Amtrak's Current Routes
Posted by nanaimo73 on Wednesday, December 21, 2005 11:47 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by rrandb

Where is the Ann Rutledge or is this a duplication of other routes??? Question [?]


I've added the name to the list. The Rutledge uses the same route as the Texas Eagle between Chicago and St. Louis and the Mules route to Kansas City.
Thanks.
Dale
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: K.C.,MO.
  • 1,063 posts
Posted by rrandb on Thursday, December 22, 2005 6:58 PM
Thank you!! By the way these list with links of yours are nothing short of amazing. I am sure you should get many replys but like me most people are just speachless!!!
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
  • 7,214 posts
Posted by siberianmo on Friday, December 23, 2005 1:18 AM
Dale,

An outstanding piece of work - great effort! [tup][tup][tup]

May I reprint your Posts on my threads ("Our" Place -and- Classic Passenger Trains) on the "Classic Trains" Forum [?]

Tom
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Nanaimo BC Canada
  • 4,117 posts
Amtrak's Current Routes
Posted by nanaimo73 on Friday, December 23, 2005 1:31 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by siberianmo

Dale,

An outstanding piece of work - great effort! Thumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup]

May I reprint your Posts on my threads ("Our" Place -and- Classic Passenger Trains) on the "Classic Trains" Forum Question [?]

Tom


Thanks Tom
You can put these on your threads, but I don't know if the links will still work. I can't "hide" the links on my Office Word and put them on this forum, as the [url=" gets hooked up with the link. (There are only 408 links hereWink [;)]).
Dale
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Chesterfield, Missouri, USA
  • 7,214 posts
Posted by siberianmo on Friday, December 23, 2005 1:43 AM
Thanx, Dale - I'll give it a go!

Merry Christmas to you!

Tom
Happy Railroading! Siberianmo
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 15, 2006 12:23 AM
Thank for sharing...
  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Southeastern CO
  • 13 posts
Posted by jedi_tev on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 2:16 PM
Wholly Smokes!!! That's a lot of info!!! I do have a question, as a big fan of the orginal Super Chief, I thought the Cheif route was shorter than the Zephyr route? I know the orginal routing of both trains have changed in Amtrak's hands and that the Zephyr's routing has changed also (the more quicker Overland Route via Donner instead of WP's Feather River route), but for the most part the Southwest Chief's routing hasn't changed that much.
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Nanaimo BC Canada
  • 4,117 posts
Posted by nanaimo73 on Monday, March 20, 2006 10:00 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by jedi_tev

I do have a question, as a big fan of the original Super Chief, I thought the Chief route was shorter than the Zephyr route?

I have the May 1971 Super Chief-El Capitan between Los Angeles and Chicago at 2,222 miles and the San Francisco Zephyr between Oakland and Chicago at 2,408 miles. I also have the current Southwest Chief at 2,254 miles and the California Zephyr between Emeryville (Oakland) and Chicago 2,420 miles. In both cases I agree the Chief is shorter.
QUOTE: I know the original routing of both trains have changed in Amtrak's hands and that the Zephyr's routing has changed also (the more quicker Overland Route via Donner instead of WP's Feather River route), but for the most part the Southwest Chief's routing hasn't changed that much.

Amtrak has always used Donner, except for detours. The last Oakland departure of the Zephyr on the Western Pacific left on March 21, 1970.
Dale
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Andover, MN
  • 33 posts
Posted by jimitimi on Monday, March 20, 2006 8:37 PM
My sister has deemed me the "font of useless knowledge" because I always come up with obscure bits of information (that she and my other siblings mistakenly call "Trivia"). This is just the type of information that I enjoy. Thanks for all your research and effort into this thoroughly enjoyable posting!
  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: Lewiston, Maine USA
  • 914 posts
Posted by ModelTrainLover on Thursday, September 21, 2006 6:01 PM

I'm not even going to try and gess how long it took you to type all of those routes...

and btw I have ridden on the Downeaster From Portland to Boston. it's a very nice ride.

Maine Central rules! Lewiston High School Swimteam nickname: Loco Colby
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Aledo IL
  • 1,728 posts
Posted by spokyone on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 4:16 PM
Again thanks Dale for your hard work.
 I wonder if Spokane's NP station was ever used by the Empire Builder. Mike Forster also has pics of the Great Northern depot. That clock tower still stands. The present Amtrak station, which also houses the Greyhound station, appears to be on the site of the former NP. 
  Does anyone have a link to a downtown Spokane map older than 1970?
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Nanaimo BC Canada
  • 4,117 posts
Posted by nanaimo73 on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 4:07 PM

The Spokane Station used by Amtrak was built in the 1880s by NP, and then restored in 1994.

http://www.trainweb.org/usarail/spokane.htm

There is a rough map of Spokane with the three page Latah Creek Bridge article in a Trains magazine (March 1984) which shows were the lines had been previously.

Dale

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