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[quote user="HarveyK400"]  [quote user="CMStPnP"] Texas is going to want to maintain the schedule and equipment on the existing route.     It is a joint TX & OK venture.    I believe Texas paid tax money to have the former equipment refurbished and at one point held lein on some of the passenger cars.    I do not know if this is still the case.     They have some info on the Heartland Flyer website on the equipment they use now. They are working on a plan of direct rail service into one of the DFW airport terminals via the Trinity Express Railway Service, I can't find current info on this project but I have read about it previously.    I suspect it is North Texas Council of Governments long range plan.      They have reconfigured and improved some of the roads on DFW Airport property recently to facility speed of transit around the airport.      Here is the existing TRE DFW airport service: <A href="http://www.trinityrailwayexpress.org/dfw.html" mce_href="http://www.trinityrailwayexpress.org/dfw.html">http://www.trinityrailwayexpress.org/dfw.html</A> They are talking about a temporary second commuter line out of Fort Worth to serve the new Cowboys Stadium on the Union Pacific, just for the SuperBowl in 2011 (North Texas Council of Governments), weather that will come about is anyones guess. TRE is also double tracking the TRE and replacing bridges eliminating grade crossings.   To me, looks like the goal is eventual higher speed service between DAL and FTW. So the bottom line I think for the OKC to FTW part of the Heartland Flyer is with the investments and plans underway, Texas probably is not going to allow OK or others to mess with the equipment or schedules too much of the Heartland Flyer.     Just a guess though. [/quote] I too think that Texas would take the position you outlined.  Extending the Heartland Flyer to Newton is just too iffy in the imperfect world or railroading.  Making connections with the Southwest Ltd 90% of the time is just not good enough; and any delays northbound jeopardizes on-time service on the return.[/quote] The direct line to DFW will be via the DART Orange light rail line, which is under construction.  It is planned to have it reach the airport in 2013.  It will enter the north end of the airport whereas the Trinity Railway Express runs south of the airport.  The Texas DOT is funding a portion of the Heartland Flyer because it services several stations in Texas.  It is not likely to put up money to fund an operation into Kansas or continue funding an operation that is seriously impaired by extending it into Kansas.  The elevation of the TRE at selected points, as well as the double tracking, is designed to eliminate several at grade street crossings that have seen several fatal accidents.  The line, which was the former Rock Island line, between Dallas and Fort Worth, also hoists BNSF trains.  The increased capacity will enable to line to handle more trains (TRE and BNSF).  In addition, it may make it possible for Amtrak to run the Texas Eagle from Fort Worth to Dallas and vice versa on the TRE as opposed to the UP.  That would eliminate the backing into and out of the station in Fort Worth, which would simplify operations and reduce the time required to get the Eagle into and out of Fort Worth.  Amtrak has run at least one test train on the TRE.   The current top speed on the TRE is 60 mph.  Whether the double tracking will permit higher speeds is problematic.  There are seven regular stations between Dallas Union Station and Fort Worth T&P Station or an average of one station every 4.7 miles.  As long as the trains serve each of those stations, which is likely to remain the case for the foreseeable future, the TRE may be looking to step up the speed somewhat, but having to stop and start every 4.7 miles does not lend it self to high speed running.
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