State Capitals

[Deggesty]

DayliteDean

I don't think the capitol of Kansas,Topeka or the states largest city Wichita have had Amtrak service since the late seventies

As I recall, the Lone Star, which served Wichita, was cut off in 1979. Until then, Topeka had service to and from Houston. I do not remember seeing anything about the re-routing of what became the Southwest Chief at the time, but, in 1984, I went through Topeka on the LA- Chicago train (I also do not remember if it had been renamed or not), and Amtrak has shown Topeka as a stop for the Chicago-LA train. I have the impression that Amtrak considered Topeka to be a market of value, so Topeka is on the Chicago-LA route.

Welcome to the Trains forums, Daylite Dean. I hope you will feel free to contribute information, questions, and banter (as in The Flatwheel Cafe and The Trackside Lounge). If you have been visting long, you know that, in general, we are friendly people who enjoy one another's company, and are willing to share our love for railroading, whether we are RR employees or have never turned a time slip in.

Johnny

[schlimm]

cbq9911a

Madison, Wisconsin is an interesting case because a reasonable Chicago - Minneapolis route can't serve both Milwaukee and Madison.   Chicago - Madison - Minneapolis (C&NW) was a weaker passenger route than Chicago - Milwaukee - Minneapolis (Milw/Amtrak) or Chicago - LaCrosse - Minneapolis (CB & Q).

 

Just noticed that comment.  Don't get me wrong.  I like the Q almost as much as the CNW (7h 30m), but back in 1963, the 400 was still pretty competitive with both the MILW (6h 50m) and Burlington (6 h 45m).  Seems to me the new Hiawatha service should cover a major population center like Madison.

[clarkfork]

The C&NW Twin City 400s were routed from the beginning via Milwaukee, like CMStP&P. 

In October of 1962 if you wanted to go from Chicago to Minneapolis via Madison it took nine hours and 30 minutes.  You left Chicago at 10:10 AM on No. 519, the Rochester 400, got to Madison at 1:20 PM, departed at 1:45 PM (I have no idea why it took that long) arrived Wyeville, WI at 4:10 PM, changed to No. 401, the Twin Cities 400 departing at 4:18 PM and getting to Minneapolis at 7:40 PM.

The trip via Milwaukee all the way on 401 left Chicago at 12:20 PM (vs. 10:10 AM) for a time saving of two hours and ten minutes.  One difference is that 519 had 14 stops between Chicago and Wyeville while 401 had only 5.  I think 519's route had more curves and more town and generally slower track as well.