31 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

Lafayette (IN) Journal & Courier, posted 6/29:
 

Hoosier State will run, no long-term agreement, yet

 

Passengers won’t see a change in service Wednesday morning when they step from the Lafayette boarding platform onto the Hoosier State train bound for Chicago.

 

Most won’t know that effective July 1, the rail cars were supposed to bear the logo and harvest colors of Iowa Pacific Holdings, an independent contractor the state selected to equip and market the Amtrak route.

 

Riders won’t realize that instead of launching a new public-private business model, the Indiana Department of Transportation and Amtrak extended for a fifth time an operating contract originally signed in October 2013.

 

Continue here.

[KevinKorell]

Chicago, IL Sun-Times, 6/30/15:

Transfer of Chicago-Indianapolis Amtrak route delayed

 

Amtrak has been asked to continue operating the Hoosier State rail line between Indianapolis and Chicago while details are worked out to transfer operations to a Chicago-based excursion railroad.

Update

[CNJRoss]

WBAA Radio (NPR), Purdue University, West Layayete, IN, 7/8;
 

For Hoosier State Line, The Clock Is Running Even If New Trains Aren't

 

The casual rider of the Hoosier State Line probably didn’t expect any changes on July 1 as an Amtrak-branded engine and set of cars rolled through Lafayette on its way to Chicago.

 

But instead of the red, blue and gray Amtrak paint job, passengers were supposed to see the brown and orange paint job of Iowa Pacific rolling stock.

 

“Of course we’re eager to get going, so we were disappointed," says Iowa Pacific President Ed Ellis, who says he thinks his company could start running the trains within a matter of days after a contract is signed. But he insists it’s not Iowa Pacific holding that process up.

 

“We believe that ours is pretty much fully negotiated," Ellis says. "We haven’t signed it yet, because we don’t want to sign it until INDOT signs with Amtrak. But we believe that once theirs is signed, the steps involved in signing ours are really short.”

 

Continue here w/audio report.

[KevinKorell]

Lafayette, IN Journal & Courier, 7/31/15:

 

Amtrak, state agreement on rail service pending

 

Indiana is likely within hours of completing a deal to continue the Hoosier State passenger rail service with Amtrak and private contractor Iowa Pacific Holdings.

This update

[Sloan]

 

 

Amtrak Line From Indy to Chicago Gets Two-Year Deal

Indiana has a new contract in place securing the future of the Hoosier State Rail Line, which runs from Indianapolis to Chicago, for the next two years.

The deal between the state, Amtrak and Iowa Pacific begins Sunday after months of negotiation and uncertainty.

     

http://indianapublic...-chicago-85672/

[CNJRoss]

WXIN-TV (FOX) Indianapolis, IN 8/1:
 

 

New Hoosier State train begins service August 2

 

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.  (August 1, 2015)–A new Hoosier State train will begin service from Indianapolis to Chicago starting Sunday morning at 6 a.m.

 

Continue here.

[jis]

Strictly speaking it is the equipment and OBS that is provided by Iowa Pacific. The train is still run by Amtrak Engineers and Conductors.

[CNJRoss]

WRTV Indianapolis, IN 8/2:
 

 

INDOT signs deal to keep Hoosier State train running

 

The state has finalized a deal that will keep the Hoosier State passenger rail line running until June 2017.

 

The Indiana Department of Transportation announced Saturday it had signed long-term passenger rail agreements with Amtrak and Iowa Pacific Holdings to keep the Hoosier State train running four days a week between Chicago and Indianapolis.

 

INDOT anticipates paying Amtrak $250,000 a month to operate the line. Iowa Pacific will provide train equipment, maintenance and food service. The state will be entitled to 25 percent of Iowa Pacific's operating profits for the Hoosier State train.

 

Continue here w/video report (using file footage of Amtrak Beech Grove shops).

[CNJRoss]

The Times, Munster, IN 8/19:

 

Rail is good alternative for intercity travel

 

The recent closure of Interstate 65 northbound until September, due to a bridge problem near Lafayette, underscores the role passenger rail can play in providing travelers to Indianapolis an alternative to car or bus travel.

 

With air fares to Chicago now running as high as $300 one way from O'Hare airport to Indianapolis, travelers often forget they have a rail option when going down state other than fighting the traffic (and now closures) on I-65.

 

Service on the rail route has recently been improved.

 

Continue here.

[Sloan]

 

 

Big plans for upgraded Amtrak line

 

Imagine arriving at Union Station Downtown to catch an Amtrak train to Chicago. You sprint to the platform, and the train has just pulled out. But instead of cursing traffic and rescheduling the trip for the next day, you simply wait an hour — and catch the next train.

http://www.indystar....-line/74337068/