This morning, I was listening to Kansas Public Radio, the NPR affiliate operated by the University of Kansas. The local hourly segment said the CEO of Amtrak was coming to Kansas to discuss the routing of the Southwest Chief (3/4).
Apparently, Amtrak and BNSF have made no headway on the Albuquerue/Las Vegas/Raton/La Junta/Dodge/Newton Topeka routing (aka the historic Santa Fe).
To me, options include: 1) Re-route on the Union Pacific old Kansas Division (route of the City of Saint Louis) 2) Re-route to the Transcon. 3) Terminate the service.
I don't see BNSF and Matt Rose keeping the line up at FRA Class 4 or 5 standards. It is a feeder line for them anymore. Raton is a hill worth avoiding as a matter of economy.
Pullman, please look at another thread on this topic at this site.
Posted by palmland (Member # 4344) on :
Routing via KP would be great as we visit family in western KS on that line annually. But nothing but slow grain and coal trains that doesn't mix well with passenger trains. Why not use the CZ route with a stop at Denver and Pueblo. But the awkward move in Denver to head south would be time consuming though and not sure why BNSF / UP would agree to either.