![Amtrak 427 is eastbound at Battle Creek. 2006 [Dale Berry photo]](/images/MIRR/AmtrakWolverine(427)EBAtBattleCreekMI042106-7[DaleBerry].jpg "Amtrak 427 is eastbound at Battle Creek. 2006 [Dale Berry photo]")
Amtrak - The National Railroad Passenger Corporation
Amtrak is a federally owned railroad which provides national passenger train service in the United States. Amtrak was created in 1971 to relieve most railroads from being required to continue to provide passenger service. In return, the railroads agreed to allow Amtrak to use its tracks.
In Michigan, Amtrak provides passenger service on three lines. It operates three round trips each day between Pontiac via Detroit to Chicago, Illinois (CN/Conrail/Amtrak/NS). The second route has a single round trip each day between Port Huron and Chicago, via Battle Creek (CN/Amtrak/NS). The third route has a single round trip each day between Grand Rapids and Chicago via Porter, Indiana (CSX/NS).
Amtrak operates on two sections of track which are not owned by freight railroads. Amtrak itself purchased former Conrail trackage between Kalamazoo and Porter, Indiana. In 2013, the State of Michigan purchased former Norfolk Southern trackage between Dearborn and Kalamazoo. The first line offered trains that exceed 80 m.p.h. in a section which uses advanced positive train control. High speed operation is also planned for the Dearborn to Kalamazoo route as well. Norfolk Southern continues to provide freight service on both of these lines through trackage rights.
Amtrak has stations in Albion, Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Benton Harbor/St. Joseph, Birmingham, Dearborn, Detroit, Dowagiac, Durand, Flint, Grand Rapids, Holland, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Lapeer, Michigan City, Niles, and Pontiac in Michigan.
Website: Amtrak
Photo: Amtrak 427 is eastbound at the Battle Creek station. 2006 [Dale Berry photo]
News Feed from Google: Amtrak
News Feed - Amtrak
12 April 2025
- STB asks CN, Amtrak for more information regarding contract dispute - trains.com
- Amtrak Restores Train Service After Corrosion Found on Carriages - Railway Supply
- All trips running on Amtrak's popular Cascades route - thejoltnews.com
- The Secret Formula for Faster Trains - Bloomberg.com
- Gas leak forces evacuation at train station, Amtrak Police Department - WGAL
- The Practicalities and Pleasures of Homemade Train Food - Eater
- One of the best train routes in the US offers spectacular scenery - South China Morning Post
- Amtrak Train Strikes and Kills 3 People in Pennsylvania - The New York Times
- Amtrak is rolling out new trains with bigger windows, comfier seats, and higher speeds - Fast Company
- 3 family members hit, killed by Amtrak train in Pennsylvania; service reopens between Philadelphia, New York - CBS News
- Amtrak’s New Routes Are Reinventing American Train Travel - MSN
- Police investigating after 3 family members hit, killed by Amtrak train - WLBT
- Amtrak Offers 40,000 Bonus Points for New Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Cardholders - Amtrak Media
- Service on Amtrak's Cascades route is back on track - Axios
- After days of widespread cancellations, Amtrak restores Hiawatha service between Milwaukee and Chicago - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
