Illinois
Amtrak, Metra, TSA and Local Law Enforcement Deploy Across Chicago Area Rail Stations
CHICAGO – During today’s morning and evening commutes, Amtrak Police, Metra Police, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel and law enforcement officers from more than 100 federal, state, local and rail police agencies are being deployed at more than 100 passenger rail stations in Illinois and the neighboring states of Wisconsin and Indiana in an exercise of expanded counterterrorism and incident response capabilities. The multi-force security surge across Chicagoland and in two other states is not in response to any threat or incident. Rather, today’s deployment is part of Operation ALERTS (Allied Law Enforcement for Rail and Transit Security), a coordinated
Amtrak is Working on the Railroad in Chicago
CHICAGO – Amtrak is using $115 million in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to improve tracks, buildings and control systems in Chicago this construction season, as part of a $1 billion construction program to fund capital projects designed to rebuild the critical infrastructure of America’s Railroad. “We are investing in our infrastructure in Chicago to improve our operations and support the growing demand to travel by Amtrak,” said President and CEO Joseph Boardman. He noted America’s intercity passenger railroad posted a ridership increase of more than seven percent nationally in the last nine months, including double-digit increases
Amtrak: Sleeping Car Service to be Restored between Boston and Chicago
CHICAGO — The Amtrak Lake Shore Limited will offer sleeping car service between Chicago and Boston “to better suit our passengers needs,” starting with the eastbound departure of Trains 48/448 on April 2 from Chicago and the westbound departure of Trains 49/449 from New York and Boston on April 4, Amtrak said. The eastbound Train 48/448 will depart Chicago an hour earlier than the existing schedule, also effective on April 4. The restoration of sleeping car service provides a higher level of comfort than can be provided in coach for passengers riding to and from Boston (South Station) and the
Chicago Hub and Other Services Affected by Severe Weather
CHICAGO — Severe weather from Chicago to the Pacific Northwest has caused Amtrak rail infrastructure and railcar issues, affecting deployment cycles for equipment and train crews, the railroad said. Several trains to and from Chicago are being canceled in order to prepare to properly re-deploy equipment and crews. Illinois Service Lincoln Service Train 305 will be combined with Lincoln Service Train 307 to originate in Chicago on December 23. Illini Train 393, the afternoon departure from Chicago to Carbondale on December 23, and Saluki Train 390, the morning departure from Carbondale to Chicago on December 24, are both cancelled, with
CN, Chicago Heights, Ill., Reach Mitigation Agreement for EJ&E transaction
CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Ill. — CN announced an agreement with the City of Chicago Heights, Ill., located 26 miles south of downtown Chicago and six miles from the Indiana border, that addresses municipal concerns about CN’s proposed acquisition of the principal lines of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Company (EJ&E). Under the agreement, CN will assist in the creation and maintenance of quiet zones and take various steps to improve operations, safety, fencing and emergency preparedness and promote economic development in Chicago Heights. The agreement is contingent upon regulatory approval of CN’s proposed acquisition of the EJ&E. The transaction is
CN Urges STB Approval of EJ&E Acquisition, Cites Overall Benefit to Chicago Region
WASHINGTON — Canadian National is urging the Surface Transportation Board to promptly approve its proposed acquisition of the principal lines of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Co., pointing to planned mitigation efforts and the significant economic and environmental benefits to the overall Chicago region. CN’s said its supporting facts and conclusions are contained in comments filed regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the transaction issued on July 25, 2008, by the Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) of the STB. “Our filing underscores three important facts,” said CN President and Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison. “First, none of