posted
It appears that the State of Michigan and Amtrak are about to kill the International. We take this train about twice per year to Toronto from Chicago, and nwo they wish to cut it off at Port Huron, instead of crossing the border. ViaRail will still operate some type of service from Sarnia. On my last trip in October, only a handful of people even got on or off at Lapeer or Port Huron, so I could see it eventually ending at Flint or East Lansing. I know that this train did not run for several years until about 1983 after CN/GTW dropped it. There is a real political undertone to this, though, as Canada is being looked upon by this Republican administration as a non-cooperative nation in our war in Iraq. Now, this will be the second Amtrak conection to be severed with Canada in a year, the first being teh guaranteed bus connection with the Vermonter to Montreal. This leaves only three connections left: New York-Toronto Maple Leaf, New York-Montreal Adirondack, and the Seattle/Vancouver train. The Winnipegger and others died years ago. I personally will begin to write a lot of letters on this as this is the wrong direction to go. Many of us see saving Amtrak as a goal, but it is being whittled away a little at a time. One train no longer goes to Chicago from New York, ending at Pitsburgh. The Kentucky Cardinal is gone. Soon the International. Which will be next?
Posts: 7 | From: DeKalb, Illinois,USA | Registered: May 2002
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posted
I would link to think, Mr Bandy, that there will be greater benefit to Amtrak and the people of Michigan, who lest we forget are subsidizing the train, with a departure from Michigan points that will make the Western connections (#3-5-7) at CHI.
I know from your postings regarding this train elsewhere, you do ride it "overhead", or all the way. Unfortunately, there are simply not enough of "you" and the inability to make connections with the "Westerns" holds down patronage.
When there are only so many resources out there, somethings gotta give.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
Well, for what it is worth, I hope Amtrak and Via can come up with some sort of bus connection that can connect with the International (or a Amtrak Detroit train) and a Via Train to Toronto. Not sure how much money Via contributes to the International, but has Amtrak approached them for additional $$. At one time, Via provided equipment (and crew I believe) for the International.
How about a connection with the Lake Shore Limited in Buffalo for passengers to Toronto? The Maple Leaf connecting with the Lake Shore Limited is a long lay over. Via already operates an early morning train from Niagara Falls (on the Ontario side) to Toronto. Course, this would require the Lake Shore to be somewhat punctual - and we all know the nickname for this train!
posted
Wasn't there talk a few years ago about running the Chicago-Toronto train through Detroit/Windsor and abandoning the International route through Port Huron/Sarnia?
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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Here is our web site were the group out of East Lansing that is trying to save the train so far we have got the State of Michigan to fund it for 1 more year but now we need people to write and call Amtrak and the State of Michigan to tell them that you want the train to go into Canada i will say ridership is more then 30% a day from Canada. just go to the web site and it has all the infomation you need on who to contact we talk to MDOT at least 1 a week. http://mattmarderosian.tripod.com/saveourtrainsmichigan/
------------------ LOOK LISTEN LIVE BEFORE CROSSING RR TRACKS
posted
I heard rumor of this...The return of the Blue Water by killing the International.
Now, I was also told that this would offer better connection times with western routes from Chicago, plus an overall improvement in on-time service in Michigan by cutting the Canadian portion.
They are to use just one set of equipment with a loco at each end and arrive at Port Huron at 10:50pm, then head to Chicago in the morning at 5:15.
Via would provide a Sarnia-Toronto train.
Yes, as Mr. Norman points out, this benefits those who travel in Michigan to/from Chicago, but forces others to take a short bus connection across the border.
[This message has been edited by vincen47 (edited 12-21-2003).]
posted
vincen47, I'm not familiar with the "Blue Water" Would you mind elaborting?
Posts: 115 | From: Buffalo, NY | Registered: Aug 2002
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The Blue Water Limited was the original Amtrak train through mid-Michigan from Chicago to Port Huron. It ran from September of 1974 to October of 1982. Since then, Amtrak in conjunction with VIA Rail extended the service to Toronto, as the International.
Named for the International bridge over the St. Clair river, The Blue Water Limited originally operated with turboliner equipment, but mostly saw Amfleet cars.
The International originally alternated between Amtrak and Via equipment. For a time in the mid-1990's until about 1999, Via supplied the power with an F40 and Amtrak used Superliners and the occasional Ex-Santa Fe Hi-level coach.
Currently, the power is a P42 (often ph. III) with Amfleet/Horizon in the summer and Superliners through the winter.
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While cutting back this route so it dosen't run all the way to Toronto would be unfortunate for passengers needing this connection, one benefit would be that it would free up at least one set of much needed equipment to be used on other trains in the Amtrak system, since only one set would be needed for a daily Port Huron-Chicago round trip.
Posts: 78 | From: Des Moines, IA | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
It's unfortunate. Especially since I never got to ride it. However, I do confess I have always wondered why this route was used rather than a route thru Detroit.
Dave
Posts: 284 | From: Ithaca, NY USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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