Routing Chicago-Toledo trains on the Michigan high speed line is an interesting idea. If this were to happen, would the LSL use the Michigan line to Ann Arbor and then the former AA line into Toledo? Or would it be a second possibility, using the CSX line Toledo-Monroe-Plymouth line to where it meets the Michigan high speed near Detroit International Airport? The first routing would add 50 miles to the current LSL route.The second routing would add another 25 miles on the Chicago to Toledo routing.
Using the Michigan high speed line for all Chicago trains to the east could make a very good plan. The running time Chicago to Toledo could be equal to or surpass the current schedule. As the high speed line reaches full potential, faster speeds will be possible. Amtrak would have a dedicated high speed line without freight conflicts. In addition, Toledo to Chicago trains could meet Detroit to Chicago trains at enroute and thereby add several departures to the LSL/CL schedules. Sounds like a win win to me!
While LSL ridership is up Oct-March 9.7% to168,000; the Capitol Ltd business is declining, down 4.9% to only 99,449. At this time, I don't see the utility of adding another train in that corridor. Go for the MI connection.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
The ideal scenario for me would be to add a third daily train between CHI and NYP via Michigan and Pennsylvania. This would kill two birds with one stone, a direct train from Michigan to Philly and New York and a train from Philly and the rest of Pennsylvania to Chicago (missing since the Broadway Limited/Three Rivers was cancelled).
All Aboard Ohio has two proposals for a schedule in this document: http://freepdfhosting.com/cf26514bc8.pdf. A more updated schedule
is here: http://allaboardohio.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Keystone-Wolverine_linkup.pdf.
I think the ideal schedule would travel in an opposite schedule to the CL/LSL so it would leave CHI in the morning and arrive into Chicago in the early evening so passengers from Cleveland/Toledo can have a train to/from Chicago outside of the graveyard shift. The train can then travel through PA during the graveyard shift and give "red eye" overnight service between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia/New York. Or if PennDOT adds a second Pennsylvanian, one can go right through to Chicago.
Since this is over 750 miles, state support should not be required.
bill613aThis experiment could lead to several possibilities for expanding the Chicago-East service. Using the current equipment pools for the LSL & CL a new service matrix could be developed. Making the CL the premier service by running a sleeper and 1-2 coaches from the LSL to NYC via the PENNSYLVANIAN would be a start. The CL would also run via Fort Wayne to Toledo By next spring the new sleepers & diners should (?) be available which would allow for separate Chicago-Boston and Chicago-NYC trains. Using the present LSL for the Boston train it would provide most of the WOLVERINE corridor with a earlier morning in and later evening out for Chicago without effecting the current service. The NYC train would run on a daylight schedule between Chicago-Buffalo on ithe current LSL route. Food service on these trains would mirror what the SILVER STAR now has. Certainly details need to be worked out. The WB PENNSYLVANIAN would need to have its schedule pushed back for a tighter connection with the CL. The NY section of the CL would be part of the narional system and not subject to the 750 mile PRIIA rule. This would allow Pennsylvania to fund the extension of one of the KEYSTONE trains to Pittsburgh. If the right person is picked to run AMTRAK he could put these pieces together for more efficient service.
Certainly details need to be worked out. The WB PENNSYLVANIAN would need to have its schedule pushed back for a tighter connection with the CL. The NY section of the CL would be part of the narional system and not subject to the 750 mile PRIIA rule. This would allow Pennsylvania to fund the extension of one of the KEYSTONE trains to Pittsburgh. If the right person is picked to run AMTRAK he could put these pieces together for more efficient service.
Are you suggesting that the LSL be made exclusively a Boston train, with the CL/Pennsylvanian/NEC being used for all the Chicago traffic going to New York City? That would involve some sort of synchronized transfer, probably at Albany, to Empire Service trains for all the "Wolverine corridor" patrons who are going to New York instead of Boston, and I'd want to see how much sleeper traffic originating from points 'east' along that corridor currently goes through to New York but wouldn't 'backtrack' to a putative Capitol Limited connection to get there.
This experiment could lead to several possibilities for expanding the Chicago-East service. Using the current equipment pools for the LSL & CL a new service matrix could be developed. Making the CL the premier service by running a sleeper and 1-2 coaches from the LSL to NYC via the PENNSYLVANIAN would be a start. The CL would also run via Fort Wayne to Toledo By next spring the new sleepers & diners should (?) be available which would allow for separate Chicago-Boston and Chicago-NYC trains. Using the present LSL for the Boston train it would provide most of the WOLVERINE corridor with a earlier morning in and later evening out for Chicago without effecting the current service. The NYC train would run on a daylight schedule between Chicago-Buffalo on ithe current LSL route. Food service on these trains would mirror what the SILVER STAR now has.
Various sites are also saying there is talk. One problem is enough ITCS equipped locos.
It might be Amtrak can attach an ITCS loco onto back of LSL at Det or even better TOL then LSL could pull into DET and then ITCS loco could pull train backwards to CHI. Reverse the procedure CHI - DET with ITCS then pull to TOL. That would prevent all the yard running of trying to eliminate back up move to DET.
If this is a test then the CL & LSL needs to be timed to meet at TOL so that MI passengers can transfer to CL and east of CHI CL passengers can connect to New York state locations ?
If this is a test doing it in October might be prudent when other eastern LD trains have low demand and maybe donate more cars to LSL and maybe CL ?
On other sites there are unconfirmed rumors that the Lake Shore Limited from Oct 1 - Oct 31 will be taking a detour. Supposed to go from Toledo - Dearborn ( some question ) then the Michigan line to Chicago. A Union notice was published at TOL base on reroute
Many questions as to whether this would be a test or MOW reroute. The possibilities of connecting lSL and Capitol at Toledo, possible thru ticketing, and many other items.
Will leave speculation to others.
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