18 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

KFDI Radio, Wichita, KS, 8/18/21:

 

 

   WICHITA, SEDGWICK COUNTY LEADERS DECLARE FORMAL SUPPORT FOR AMTRAK EXPANSION      

 

 

Wichita City Council members and Sedgwick County Commissioners have been involved in discussions over the past decade on returning passenger rail service to south central Kansas, but they have now declared formal support for an expansion of Amtrak service.

 

Full story

[KevinKorell]

Oklahoma City, OK Journal-Record, 4/14/22:

 

 

   OKC endorses expanded Amtrak rail service    

 

City leaders are on board when it comes to establishing passenger rail service to the north.

 

The Oklahoma City Council unanimously approved a resolution this week supporting the expansion of the Heartland Flyer from Oklahoma City to Newton, Kansas.

 

Read

[KevinKorell]

Norman, OK Transcript,  5/12/22:

 

 

    Heartland Flyer to expand, Council nods approval for more passenger rail  

 

 

The Norman City Council approved a resolution in favor of Amtrak’s announcement that it will open a new line for passenger rail in Oklahoma.

 

Here is that story.

[KevinKorell]

KSNW-TV, Channel 3 in Wichita, KS, 10/23/23:
 

 

     Heartland Flyer subject of virtual public meeting  

 

 

Expansion of the Heartland Flyer from Oklahoma City to Newton will be the subject of a virtual public meeting being hosted by the Kansas Department of Transportation.

 

Update

[KevinKorell]

KWCH-TV, Channel 12 in Hutchinson, KS, 10/31/23:

 

 

   KDOT to host public meeting on possible Amtrak route expansion  

 

 

The Kansas Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting on Nov. 8 to discuss possible expansion to Amtrak’s passenger rail routes in Kansas.

 

Read

[KevinKorell]

KSAL Radio, Salina, KS, 11/9/23:

 

 

    KDOT Provides Amtrak Update  

 

 

The Kansas Department of Transportation is providing an update on the proposed expansion of Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer line.

 

Here is that story.

[KevinKorell]

KAKE-TV, Channel 10 in Wichita, KS,  11/9/23:

 

 

 

     KDOT gives update on potential Amtrak expansion into Wichita  

 

 

 

An Amtrak passenger train rolled into Wichita’s Union Station back in 2017 as part of an inspection ride to see the viability of service.   It was only a test at the time but soon, the real thing could return to the air capital.

 

More

[CNJRoss]

Trains News Wire

 

Kansas DOT holds public meeting on Heartland Flyer extension

 

By Bob Johnston | November 10, 2023

 

Scope focuses on overnight Southwest Chief connection; target for completion is 2029

 

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Transportation presented a tentative operating schedule for an extension of Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer from Oklahoma City to Newton, Kan. — where it would connect with the Southwest Chief — as part of an online informational meeting Wednesday to seek public comment. The 20-minute presentation included in the meeting is available here via a recording; those viewing it have the option of registering for further updates.

 

Cory Davis, Kansas DOT’s director of multimodal transportation, says, “We are well underway with a technical analysis.” This is the first step in creating a service development plan that will cover operational and financial analyses, capital investment needs, and an implementation plan. He says the working group that meets monthly includes officials from BNSF Railway, Amtrak, and department officials.

 

The state is moving ahead with planning, confident that the route will be included in the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor ID Program. Inclusion in that list, expected to be announced by the end of November, would give projects preference in competing for Federal-State Partnership planning and construction grants.  . . .

 

 

Continue here.  

[KevinKorell]

KOCO-TV, Channel 5 in Oklahoma City, OK, 12/29/23:

 

 

    Amtrak's Heartland Flyer could soon add several new Oklahoma stops  

 

 

Earlier this month, the Federal Railroad Administration selected the Heartland Flyer to be part of their Corridor ID program. It awarded the Kansas Department of Transportation $500,000 to study the expansion of the Heartland Flyer from Oklahoma City to Newton, Kansas.

 

This is the latest.