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Has anybody have any feelings about this train? In looking at the map it is so close in distance to making a connection with the SWC in Kansas . That would be a direct connection from Texas. They also are running 2 sante fe hi liners, which I think are very comfortable.
Kiernan Member # 3828
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I was living in Paul's Valley, Oklahoma, and surveying at Chickasaw National Recreation Area--neat place--around the turn of the millennium when the Heartland Flyer had recently started running. I never got a chance to ride it, and the Oklahoma pundits were all predicting its imminent demise.
I'm glad it's still running.
notelvis Member # 3071
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Rode it from Ft. Worth to OKC in 2002. Have kept meaning to get back and ride it southbound but just haven't had the opportunity. Pretty decent little train and seemingly pretty popular.
PullmanCo Member # 1138
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The issue of the Heartland Flyer linking up to Newton, KS, and joining 3/4 is a simple one:
It's a 403(b) train paid for by Oklahoma.
Kansas has not, and by my read, (as a resident on the Missouri side of Kansas City metro) will not, pony up $$$. Kansas Legislature is under court mandate to pony up half a Billion (yes, that is B as in thousand million) dollars for education funding.
They can't even get to that number!
Do not count on this train reaching northward anytime soon.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Of course, many years ago, in AMTRAK's early years, the "Texas Chief" did run from Chicago through Newton, KA, then south through Wichita and into Oklahoma, where it used the same route as the Flyer. I thought I remember reading somewhere that BNSF (ATSF then) had downgraded the line from Newton through Wichita and southward, and that was why the full Texas Chief route is no longer used.
RRCHINA Member # 1514
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The BNSF line south from Newton through Wichita is in very good condition and is considered part of the TRANSCON, BNSF's high speed-high density line between CHI and LAX. There is no double track between Mulvane and Ellinor, except for short segments, and so when traffic density dictates the DS routes trains over the Wichita route between Ellinor and Mulvane.
PullmanCo Member # 1138
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Texas Chief (Lone Star after ATSF withdrew rights to the "Chief" trade/service mark) was part of the Carter Administration cuts in Amtrak IIRC. It died in 1979.
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